Audi

A4 (B6)

2002-2005 · Compact Sedan ยท 7 engines
Best Engine โœ… Recommended (3.7)
901 NHTSA Complaints
8 Recalls
19 Fire Reports
40 Crash Reports
Includes data from: A4A4 AVANTA4 CABRIOLETS4S4 AVANT
View all 6 generations of the Audi A4 → ๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (10.7% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (10.7% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No

Engine Reliability Ratings

2.7-V6-Gas

2.7L 6-cyl / 250 hp
โœ… Recommended (3.7)
30 complaints 10.0 per year Gasoline
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Audi

3.1L 6-cyl / 255 hp
โš ๏ธ Caution (3.1)
30 complaints 29.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

exterior
22
safety systems
7
electrical
4
engine
1
fuel system
1

Known Issues

Exterior Issues (22 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (7 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (4 complaints)

4.2-V8-Gas

4.2L 8-cyl / 344 hp
โš ๏ธ Caution (2.5)
55 complaints 18.3 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
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Complaint Breakdown

exterior
26
engine
16
cooling
13
transmission
6
safety systems
5

Known Issues

Exterior Issues (26 complaints)
Engine Issues (16 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (13 complaints)

Audi A4 Unidentified Engine

โš ๏ธ Caution (2.3)
195 complaints 48.8 per year
2 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

exterior
50
engine
29
electrical
27
cooling
23
fuel system
20

Known Issues

Exterior Issues (50 complaints)
Engine Issues (29 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (27 complaints)

1.8-I4-Gas

1.8L 4-cyl / 170 hp
โŒ Avoid (1.1)
323 complaints 80.8 per year Gasoline
12 fire reports
View details
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

2.8-V6-Gas

2.8L 6-cyl / 193 hp
โœ… Recommended (4.9)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
1

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (1 complaints)

Same engine used in

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Audi A4 regardless of engine variant.

Exterior Issues (164 complaints)
exterior critical
Electrical System Issues (163 complaints)
electrical critical
Fuel System Issues (122 complaints)
fuel_system critical
Engine Issues (99 complaints)
engine critical
Cooling System Issues (77 complaints)
cooling critical

Recalls (8)

21V470000Jun 22, 2021critical
Air Bags

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.

18V427000Jun 21, 2018critical
Air Bags

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Sedan, A4 Avant, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan, 2007-2008 RS4 Sedan, 2004 RS4 Cabriolet, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2005-2011 A6 Sedan, 2006-2011 A6 Avant, and 2007-2011 S6 Sedan vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

17V032000Oct 31, 2017critical
Air Bags

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Avant, A4 Sedan, A6 Sedan, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan vehicles, 2007-2008 A4 Cabriolet, RS4 Sedan, S4 Cabriolet and S6 Sedan vehicles, and 2006-2008 A6 Avant and 2008 RS4 Cabriolet vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

16V382000Jan 5, 2016critical
Air Bags

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Audi A4, and 2005-2011 Audi A6 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Audi A4, and 2005-2008 Audi A6 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling model year 2004 Audi A4 vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

14E007000Jul 2, 2014serious
Engine & Cooling

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

07V375000Aug 27, 2007serious
Fuel System

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.8L TURBO, 2.8L V6, OR 3.0L ENGINES, A CHANGE IN THE ELECTRICAL MOTOR COMPONENTS IN THE FUEL PUMP CAN LEAD TO AN INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP AND, ULTIMATELY, STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO STALL.

06V017000Jan 22, 2006serious
Fuel System

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM SEPTEMBER 2002 - MARCH 2003, EQUIPPED WITH 1.8L TURBO, 2.8L V6, OR 3.0L ENGINES, A CHANGE IN THE ELECTRICAL MOTOR COMPONENTS IN THE FUEL PUMP CAN LEAD TO AN INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP AND, ULTIMATELY, STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO STALL.

05V096000Mar 14, 2005serious
Exterior Lighting

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF XENON HEADLAMP COATING DEGRADATION OVER TIME. THE LUMINOUS TRANSMITTANCE OF THE HEADLAMP MAY DECREASE OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.

Alternatives in Compact Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2002-2005 Audi A4 problems?

The 2002-2005 Audi A4 has accumulated 901 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Exterior, Electrical System, Fuel System. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Audi A4 engine is most reliable?

The 2002-2005 Audi A4 was offered with 8 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.7L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2002-2005 Audi A4 a good used car?

The 2002-2005 Audi A4 can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 901 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002-2005 Audi A4 have?

The 2002-2005 Audi A4 has 901 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2002-2005 Audi A4?

There are 8 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2002-2005 Audi A4 vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Audi A4?

Before buying a used Audi A4, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Exterior, Electrical System, Fuel System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the A4?

The 2005 Audi A4 received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 4 stars (10.7% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 901 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-07-24.

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