Model year guide

2002 Audi S4

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2002 Audi S4 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.

2002 Audi S4 — representative photo
Representative photo

2002 Audi S4 at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints22
Combined18 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2002 Audi S4 recalls 1

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #21V470000 · manufacturer #69CJ · 23/06/2021

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.

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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2002 Audi S4 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Equipment
Test all accessories — sunroof, climate, seats, electronics — for proper operation.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

2002 Audi S4 MPG & running costs

Combined18 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway22 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,550
EPA size classCompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic (S5) or Manual 6-spd
Forced inductionTurbocharged
Passenger volume88 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$10,750 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2002 Audi S4 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$22,750
Fuel only$22,750
Per mile$0.30

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
176.4 in
Width
72.8 in
Height
55.9 in
Wheelbase
102.8 in
Curb weight
3,594 lb
Front track
59.1 in
Rear track
58.3 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2002 Audi S4. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 86

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 86.

This bulletin provides information on the additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries.

Bulletin A0023742052680_4 · Equipment · Oct 2023

This informational bulletin explains how to order replacement VIN plates, Safety Certification Labels, etc.

Bulletin A0021482021205_6 · Structure, Equipment · Jun 2021

This information bulletin contains instructions for technicans on how to ensure their TAC call goes smoothly.

Bulletin A0020362002047_1 · Equipment · Apr 2020

00 Software Version Management (SVM), operating instructions

Bulletin A0019252011732_1 · Electrical System · Sep 2019

This informational bulletin contains technical information for when there is condensation visible on the inside of the headlight, taillight, fog light, side marker light, front turn signal, daytime running lights, and/or third brake light lens.

Bulletin A941791 2012749- · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2017

This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.

Bulletin SM 44-2017 EN · Equipment · Jun 2017

This informational bulletin contains all the the Audi Oil Quality Standards that should be used when doing an oil change.

Bulletin A171782 2010043- · Engine · May 2017

Due to increasing requests for high voltage personal protective equipment (HVE PPE) for dealer technicians working with high voltage vehicles (Hybrid, Plugin Hybrid, Electric Vehicle), the Volkswagen Tools and Equipment Team has identified two US based supplie…

Bulletin ATE-17-05 · Equipment · Mar 2017

This information TSB provides information regarding the correct way to torque adjust a wheel bolt.

Bulletin A441662 2010334- · Wheels · Oct 2016

Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 20 number 13-29 dated November 15, 2013. The fuel tank has been removed from the vehicle and must be neutralized before shipment or disposal. When the fuel tank in a vehicle is replaced, the original tank must be pro…

Bulletin A201559 2011703- · Fuel System, Diesel, Fuel System, Gasoline · Dec 2015

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the S4. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2002 Audi S4. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Airbag

Issue: On certain vehicles, exposure to moisture over time could cause the driver-front airbag not to inflate properly in a crash. Safety Risk: An airbag that does not inflate properly could increase the risk of injury in a crash. Corrective Actions: Audi will notify owners by mail and instruct you to bring your vehicle to a dealer to install a newly designed driver-front airba…

Transport Canada #2021391 · Jun 2021

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Audi S4

The Audi S4 is the high performance variant of Audi's compact executive car A4. The original Audi S4, built from 1991 until 1994, was a performance-oriented version of Audi's 100 saloon/sedan. All subsequent S4s, beginning with the "B5" platform car in 1997, have been based on the Audi A4; and as the A4 has evolved from one generation to the next, so has the S4. Audi's platform generation names, beginning with "B5" in 1997, are used throughout to distinguish between generations/evolutions of these products.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2002 Audi S4 vehicles on record

Other Audi S4 model years

2002 Audi S4 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Audi S4 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2002 Audi S4. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Audi S4?

Across all 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Audi S4 get?

The 2002 Audi S4 has a U.S. EPA estimate of 18 mpg combined (15 city / 22 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.