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Audi S4Model year report

2002 Audi S4 Problems

Complaints
22filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
35,627miles, 18 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 2.7L 6-cyl 4WD/AWD · 15 city / 22 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Audi S4 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2002 Audi S4. The part named most often is electrical system, with 10 complaints (45% of the total), followed by brakes (9) and seats (3). 18 of the complaints include a mileage, and 72% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 35,627 miles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 82 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 14 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Electrical system: “Instrument cluster on my 2002 Audi S4 has failed. Without this display, the potential for a hazardous situation increases due to not being able to read the errors which would normally be displayed. I am aware of this being a very common faulty part and would recommend looking into a recall.”

NHTSA complaint #10252773, filed 2008-12, 59,600 miles

Brakes: “I purchased my audo S4 avant new on nov. 10, 2001. It has 26,000 miles on it. There have been at least 6 repairs performed to correct brake pulsation or vibration. Pads and/or front and/or rear rotors have been replaced. The car leaves the dealership service facility operating normally, but within a few thousand miles the condition returns. Is there a real fix for this?”

NHTSA complaint #10049596, filed 2003-12, 6,000 miles

Seats: “The driver's seat experienced a rocking motion when the vehicle accelerated. The consumer suspected possible seat frame damage. The seat would rock forward and backward upon acceleration and deceleration. The dealer refused to do any further repairs. The problem gradually became worse. There was a coolant leak and an electrical short where the oil pressure switch was located.”

NHTSA complaint #10044655, filed 2003-12, 11,493 miles

Engine cooling: “Cam cover oil leaks discovered after 50,000 mile service at approx 48,500 miles 11/7/05. Audi TSB 05-03, nov. 2, 2005 covering 2000-2006 models a4, cabriolet, tt, a6, S4, allroad, a8, s8, and rs6 with engines 1.8t, 2.8 v6, 2.7 v6t, and 4.2 v8 states that if a customer complains and the area is wet with fluid residue or droplets that are not coming off, to clean the oil stained area and tell the customer that it could be the result of spillage when topping off or normal gasket sweating and is not indication of a malfunction. If found and no customer complaint, no action is to be taken. …”

NHTSA complaint #10145179, filed 2005-12, 48,850 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

72% of the 18 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 24,353 and 57,000 miles.

6%0–1022%10–2544%25–5017%50–7511%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (18 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 35,627 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

20032004820052006200720082009
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2002 Audi S4 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
S4 4WD/AWD2.7L 6-cyl6-speed manual152218$4,550
S4 4WD/AWD2.7L 6-cyl5-speed automatic152218$4,550
S4 Avant 4WD/AWD2.7L 6-cyl6-speed manual152218$4,550
S4 Avant 4WD/AWD2.7L 6-cyl5-speed automatic152218$4,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2002 Audi S4 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 82 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 82 bulletins →

Other model years of the Audi S4

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202017—3—23—Rising
201874,0002—24—Not enough data
20141742,4301521—Falling
2013335,100152156 · TypicalStable
20122270,0001421—Stable
20112661,89714219 · FewerFalling
20106058,9500—2150 · TypicalFalling
20071373,4282—16—Not enough data
20063049,3252—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20054356,0002—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20042955,0001—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20022235,6271—18—Stable
20018760,0001—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200014365,0001—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19947165,0002—18—Not enough data
199316121,5002—18—Stable
19925—2—18—Not enough data

All Audi S4 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Audi S4 have?

NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2002 Audi S4 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 Audi S4 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 10 complaints (45% of the total), followed by brakes with 9.

Has the 2002 Audi S4 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Audi S4 get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Audi S4 (S4, 2.7L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Audi S4 reported?

Among the 18 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 35,627 miles and the middle half falls between 24,353 and 57,000 miles; 72% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.