Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Audi A4 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
2002 Audi A4 with 370K burned a bit of oil which was fine cleaned the engine out with cleaners it smoked a bit which is normal.. Headlights started flickering 'hids' so I parked it. 3 days later I go to take the car on a test drive and the drivers headlight lit on fire ! Not sure if it was a headlight issue or a wiring issue.. Insurance will not cover it.
I have an 2002 Audi A4. In December 2006 the car suddenly stalled while traveling on an extremely busy interstate. This occurred with no warning at all. After having the car towed ($200 plus) we found that the timing belt had failed which in turn completely destroyed the engine. The car only has 45,000 miles on it and we followed all recommended service. This belt should not have failed and by doing so put my family and everyone else on that highway in a horrendously dangerous situation.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Audi A4. The contact heard a ticking noise coming from the timing belt. Audi brooklyn (665 65th st, brooklyn, ny 11220, [phone]) was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 150,000. The VIN was unknown.
While driving on the city street, the engine overheated and smoke came out. Stopped vehicle on the side road to see what's happening. Drove after engine has cooled off to the next body shop. Diagnostic: engine cooling is leaking, water pump is defect. Timing belt will be affected if not replaced as well.
While driving on a city street, the wheel steering suddenly blocked and it was not possible to steer the vehicle to the left nor to the right. Managed to stop the vehicle on the street shoulder. Diagnostic at the body shop: power steering belt broken and even missing. Need replacement.
My Audi A4 1.8 turbo engine May have sludging problem - 80K miles. Car engine oil light illuminating after driving long distances - about 1.5 hours on the road going approx 60-70 MPH. But oil levels are actually fine. Oil light does not illuminate when driving in local commuting area. Audi will only cover the fix if consumers have receipts for oil changes performed within the 10K recommended mileage. I have to pay $2750 estimated to fix the problem - some engine sludging and oil pressure low. Audi will not cover. Note that owner's manual recommends oil changes every 10K and does not indicate that these 10K oil changes must be done at those intervals. Many of these engines manufactured by vw are failing. …
I was driving down georgia avenue when all of a sudden my car began to ride very rough, a dash light came on and the engine lost complete power. I was able to start the car up again and luckily was able to coast down hill to my home. (the car is a 5-speed) smoke was coming out of the tail pipe. I called the dealer in rockville and they suggested that it was probably a coil failure. I had just had a coil replaced in February, when a similar type thing happened on connecticut ave. During rush hour traffic. That time I was able to coast into a gas station. The car died with no previous warning. All four coils have been replaced (4 cylinder) with no reimbursement from Audi because the car is no longer under warranty. I asked the dealer whether this was one of the recall items that Audi put notice out on and they said no. …
I am writing regarding a sad story about my 2002 Audi A4 quattro 3.0 sedan . While I realize that the car is not new, and with 152,000 miles on the road; I am still disappointed with the series of events that has happened to me, not once, but twice now! About a week ago, as I turned the engine on, I heard a loud knocking like something had been hit and fallen apart in the engine. At the same time, the check engine light came on (flashing). I took it to my trusted mechanic. At this point, I am thinking that the issue was with a coil ? But not really since they have been replaced and not that long ago, might I add! While the car was being inspected, the mechanic heard a noise coming from camshaft adjusters. Once they opened the case, they found screws lose that had literally fallen off and broken. The camshaft adjustment housing was also damaged, amongst other parts (I have pictures). …
1/10/2003--took the car in to have it checked because of a rough idle and trouble starting. The dealer found no initial problems. 2/5/2003--received notice in the mail from Audi concerning the possibility of bad coil packs on 2002 A4's. 2/7/2003--the car stalled on us at night, in the rain, in the middle of a busy intersection. It took me at least a minute to get it restarted--that May not sound like much, but you should try turning off your car in the middle of an intersection and wait 60 seconds before restarting & taking off. See how May people start honking and/or almost hit you before you move.... 2/8-2/11/03--the dealer checks the car over. They say the coil packs are fine, but the mass air flow sensor was bad, so they replaced it. I don't believe they have fixed the problem, since the car still idles rough, and still has trouble starting. Luckily, it hasn't died on us again (yet).
The ignition coil made the vehicle ride rough. While driving, the vehicle lost power and cut off. The dealer stated they would only replace 1 out of 6 coils. The service technician had driven the vehicle five miles and the a second coil failed. Audi replaced all six coils then the remaining five were "j" coils. The engine warning light had come on. The vehicle had been serviced repeatedly by father's & sons, but they had not completed the repair. All of the oxygen sensors and the catalytic converter had been replaced. (some twice) the other emission parts were replaced. The service dealer did not give the consumer the paper work because Audi did not pay the full cost for repairs. The vehicle was still under warranty.
Engine complaints in other A4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2002 Audi A4?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2002 Audi A4, 18% of the model year's 181 complaints. The component named most often is engine (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Audi A4 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2002 Audi A4, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Audi A4 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 37% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.