2002 Audi S4 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2000-2001 Audi TT Coupe, TT Roadster, 2000-2002 A4, and S4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver Air Bag Inflators (NADI) that do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, possibly causing the air bag to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.
What could happen: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag may not properly protect the occupant, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
The fix: Dealers will replace the driver frontal airbag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69CJ.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2002 S4.
- Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 21V470000 (manufacturer code 69CJ).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-253-2834.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2000-2001 Audi TT Coupe, TT Roadster, 2000-2002 A4, and S4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver Air Bag Inflators (NADI) that do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, possibly causing the air bag to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag may not properly protect the occupant, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver frontal airbag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69CJ.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (10), Brakes (9), Hydraulic (9), Seats (3), Equipment (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
04/24/2009 · Electrical system
TL*THE CONTACT OWN A 2002 AUDI S4. THE CENTER INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAY INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED HALF OF THE DISPLAY WAS WELL LIT WHILE THE OTHER HALF WAS NOT. OCCASIONALLY THERE WAS ALSO AN ODOR SIMILAR TO ELECTRICAL SMOKE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE SINCE THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DO NOT REMAIN…
03/30/2009 · Electrical system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI S4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LCD SCREEN ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS LINES RUNNING THROUGH THE SCREEN, WHICH PREVENT HIM FROM VIEWING THE INFORMATION. HE HAS NOT YET TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. UPDATED 5/5/09 *CN UPDATED 05/07/09.*JB
01/20/2009 · Electrical system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI S4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED MISSING AND FADED PIXELS, AS WELL AS INCOMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
12/25/2008 · 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. *TR
10/08/2008 · Electrical system
I BOUGHT MY CAR WITH 36,XXX MILES ON IT. THE CENTER LCD SCREEN DOES NOT WORK. THE CAR IS PRACTICALLY BRAND NEW AND THE CENTER CLUSTER INFORMATION CENTER IS BUSTED. ITS BARELY READABLE, BUT DISPLAY IMPORTANT USER DIAGNOSTIC/INFO ABOUT THE CAR (SERVICE LIGHTS, ETC). THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND I WOULD LIKE TO PROMPT A RECALL. IT'S A 2002 AUDI S4, 2.7T THE P…
11/08/2007 · Electrical system
1. PURCHASED A 2002 AUDI S4 2.7T. 2. THE AUTO CHECK SYSTEM IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DOES NOT WORK ESPECIALLY WHEN WARM. THE LCD RIBBON CABLE LOOSES CONTACT AND DOESN'T DISPLAY THE INFORMATION IT SHOULD. CRITICAL SAFETY INFORMATION IS NO LONGER DISPLAYED. 3. WAS QUOTED OBSCENE AMOUNTS BY AUDI DEALERS TO REPLACE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. $250 FOR A USED C…
11/07/2007 · Electrical system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI S4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LED DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND IMPAIRS VISIBILITY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DISPLAY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,500.
10/01/2007 · Electrical system
DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LED DISPLAY IS BURNING OUT. *JB