2002 Audi A4 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 76about this part
- Share
- 42%of 181 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 9,700miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 76 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Audi A4, 42% of the 181 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 9,700 miles. 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Failed coil pack on Audi A4. Safety issue since auot stalls on highway. Dealer indicates Audi will not replace more than 1 coil (4 in the car) and I can expect furtehr failures. This is major system-wide failure problem, that Audi simply will not deal with. I urge a mandatory recall immediately before accidents ensue.”
NHTSA complaint #10003584, filed 2003-01, 8,205 miles“On december 3rd, 2010, I was driving south on I-405s heading from long beach, ca to san diego, ca. I was driving approximately 45 MPH when my check engine light came on and I lost all acceleration in my car. I still had electrical power (ie, indicators still worked, my manual transmission worked and interior dome lights worked). I pulled straight over to the side of the highway at which point I noticed that the hood of my car appeared to be melting and that smoke was rising out of the engine. I jumped out of the car and ran to the side of the road to call 911. …”
NHTSA complaint #10379680, filed 2011-01, 138,000 miles“Drivers door speakers working randomly and cutting out all together at times, sometimes with static prior to cutting out. So far the speakers have been replaced on oct 2 2004,nov 2 2004, nov 15, 2004,dec 7 2004. The car still has the same issue and the dealer does not seem to be able to find or fix the problem. I have looked at it and in 2 seconds I found the issue. It is a broken wire in the door pass through. The dealer tells me it's not a broken wire because they tested all the wires and they checked out ok. …”
NHTSA complaint #10213835, filed 2008-01, 45,901 miles“I am one of the many Audi owners that have experienced a problem relating to the ignition coils of my 2002 A4 quattro. Like other drivers, I was operating my vehicle on an interstate highway when my engine began to loose power, while simultaneously the entire care began vibrating vigorously. After one flatbed trip to the local dealer, and I was informed of a malfunction of one of the four ignition coils on my car with a total of 12,000 miles of use. …”
NHTSA complaint #10000831, filed 2003-01, 12,000 miles“Audi A4 (1.8t) was missing on startup, shaking, severe loss of power. I tried driving to the dealership but had to turn around and park it at home, for safety. Was towed to the dealership, where I learned it was a failed ignition coil pack, and I soon learned I was in good company: technician there estimated there were at least 85 cars -- all 1.8ts of Audi and vw -- in several nearby lots waiting for replacement ignition coils. German production was on 3 shifts to crank them out, worldwide. …”
NHTSA complaint #10004918, filed 2003-01, 11,600 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10166284Sep 17, 201900 Software Version Management (SVM), operating instructions
- 10164518Aug 28, 2019This communication is issued to inform dealers of updated shipping regulations related to lithium ion batteries.
- 10128205Mar 23, 2017This informational bulletin contains instructions for sychronizing the remote key after the battery has been disconnected or replaced.
- 10123775Sep 21, 2015Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 96 number 13-67 dated July 10, 2013. The customer may report that the handheld transmitter cannot be programmed to the garage door…
- 10120052May 29, 2015Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 97 number 10-15 dated October 20, 2010. Sporadic fault memory entries are stored in various control modules. Contacts may be widened…
- 10119956Mar 20, 2015Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 91 number 14-69 dated November 4, 2014. The following message appears on the MMI display: "Device or cable type not supported". The…
- 10224981Dec 10, 2014High quality media files (video and sound) are now integrated into technical service bulletins on a case-by-case basis. Media files can now be viewed on any smartphone or tablet.
- 10124882Dec 10, 2014High quality media files (video and sound) are now integrated into technical service bulletins on a case-by-case basis. Media files can now be viewed on any smartphone or tablet…
- 10228297Jul 15, 2014This Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) details the general process for carrying out a Software Version Management (SVM) software update for any TSB or Update.
- 10122522Jul 15, 2014Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 00 number 12-32 dated February 7, 2012. This Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) details the general process for carrying out a Software…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 | 30% |
| 2021 | 3 | 27% |
| 2020 | 91 | 71% |
| 2019 | 3 | 30% |
| 2018 | 17 | 38% |
| 2017 | 6 | 11% |
| 2016 | 3 | 27% |
| 2015 | 3 | 16% |
| 2014 | 3 | 9% |
| 2013 | 2 | 8% |
| 2012 | 2 | 11% |
| 2011 | 1 | 9% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 3 | 3% |
| 2008 | 9 | 5% |
| 2007 | 10 | 5% |
| 2006 | 21 | 7% |
| 2005 | 24 | 11% |
| 2004 | 15 | 8% |
| 2003 | 32 | 15% |
| 2002 | 76 | 42% |
| 2001 | 35 | 27% |
| 2000 | 11 | 11% |
| 1999 | 11 | 6% |
| 1998 | 23 | 9% |
| 1997 | 33 | 34% |
| 1996 | 26 | 29% |
Other parts of the 2002 Audi A4
28 complaintsExterior lighting
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsEquipment
8 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsTires
6 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsSeats
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Audi A4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology