MileageCurve
  1. Home
  2. Audi
  3. A4 2002–2005

Audi A4 2002–2005 problems by year and mileage

2nd generation (B6, Typ 8E)

NHTSA data through 18 October 2026804 complaints, 627 with mileageMethod

Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.

The 2002 Audi A4

Close
Median failure report
30,000 mi
Complaints filed
181
Recalls naming this year
1

Most reported on the 2002

  1. Electrical system76 reports · median 9,500 mi
  2. Engine and its cooling system28 reports
  3. Exterior lighting17 reports

Recall areas Air bags — frontal
Check the VIN at NHTSA

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2003 Audi A4

Close
Median failure report
60,000 mi
Complaints filed
215
Recalls naming this year
3

Most reported on the 2003

  1. Transmission and driveline44 reports · median 75,000 mi
  2. Fuel system42 reports · median 55,000 mi
  3. Electrical system32 reports

Recall areas Fuel system, gasoline — delivery · Exterior lighting — headlights
Check the VIN at NHTSA

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2004 Audi A4

Close
Median failure report
60,000 mi
Complaints filed
189
Recalls naming this year
2

Most reported on the 2004

  1. Fuel system46 reports · median 61,000 mi
  2. Airbag system26 reports
  3. Engine and its cooling system18 reports

Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Exterior lighting — headlights
Check the VIN at NHTSA

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2005 Audi A4

Close
Median failure report
58,000 mi
Complaints filed
219
Recalls naming this year
3

Most reported on the 2005

  1. Exterior lighting101 reports · median 59,000 mi
  2. Airbag system54 reports
  3. Electrical system24 reports

Recall areas Air bags — frontal
Check the VIN at NHTSA

When each system fails on this generation →

Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2003; earliest: the 2002, and the 2002 is 1 year older (part of the gap is age).

The short answer

“Is the 2002–2005 Audi A4 reliable?”

Median of reported failures
57,000 mi
90% of reports came by
112,000 mi
Reports with mileage
627
Recalls
7

Most reported

  1. Exterior lighting19.3% of complaints · median 65,000 mi
  2. Electrical system18.3% of complaints · median 32,000 mi
  3. Fuel system12.6% of complaints · median 58,000 mi

When each system fails ↓

Documented problems

What each one is ↓

Owners filed 804 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002–2005 Audi A4; the exterior lighting leads with 19.3% of them, and half of the 627 that record an odometer reading came by 57,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.

No single peak: the middle half runs 35,000 to 83,000 miles.

Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗

How many miles does a 2002–2005 Audi A4 last?

On the 2002–2005 Audi A4, half of the 627 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 57,000 miles and 90% by 112,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).

21 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 4 past 200,000 — each one proof that an A4 reached that mileage, not that it failed there.

Figure 1 · Audi A4 2002–2005 · 627 reports with mileage

Mileage at failure

10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 85 complaints

Mileage at failure, Audi A4 2002–2005Histogram of 627 owner-reported failures by mileage, in 10,000-mile bins from 0 to 200,000. The tallest bin is 50,000 to 60,000 miles with 85 complaints, 13.6 percent of the total. No single peak: the middle half runs 35,000 to 83,000 miles. A further 4 complaints, 0.6 percent, were reported above 200,000 miles and are shown as a separate detached bar. Median mileage at failure is 57,000.
  • Rest of the range
  • Median
  • 200,000+ — 4 complaints (0.6%), plotted separately
10%
9,500
25%
35,000
Median
57,000
75%
83,000
90%
112,000
Show the numbers
Complaints by mileage bin
MileageComplaintsShare
0–10,0006610.5%
10,000–20,000335.3%
20,000–30,000386.1%
30,000–40,000416.5%
40,000–50,0007011.2%
50,000–60,0008513.6%
60,000–70,0006510.4%
70,000–80,000528.3%
80,000–90,000447.0%
90,000–100,000325.1%
100,000–110,000304.8%
110,000–120,000233.7%
120,000–130,00081.3%
130,000–140,00091.4%
140,000–150,000101.6%
150,000–160,000101.6%
160,000–170,00020.3%
170,000–180,00020.3%
180,000–190,00010.2%
190,000–200,00020.3%
200,000+40.6%

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.

How to read these figures

Common A4 problems, and when they happen

Figure 2 · Audi A4 2002–2005

When each system fails

Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)

  1. Electrical system147 reportsmedian 32,000middle half 11,000–69,000
  2. Engine and its cooling system71 reportsmedian 52,000middle half 26,000–70,000
  3. Fuel system101 reportsmedian 58,000middle half 43,000–72,000
  4. Throttle and speed control50 reportsmedian 62,000middle half 35,000–95,000
  5. Exterior lighting155 reportsmedian 65,000middle half 50,000–92,000
  6. Airbag system100 reportsmedian 70,000middle half 49,000–113,000
  7. Transmission and driveline88 reportsmedian 71,000middle half 40,000–97,000
  • Your odometer, once entered below

Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.

All systems in a table
Complaints by vehicle system
SystemComplaintsShareMedian25–75%
Exterior lighting15519.3%65,00050,000–92,000
Electrical system14718.3%32,00011,000–69,000
Fuel system10112.6%58,00043,000–72,000
Airbag system10012.4%70,00049,000–113,000
Transmission and driveline8810.9%71,00040,000–97,000
Engine and its cooling system718.8%52,00026,000–70,000
Throttle and speed control506.2%62,00035,000–95,000
Visibility equipment506.2%48,00020,000–65,000
Tyres324.0%25,0003,000–60,000
Engine303.7%116,000104,000–150,000

Known problems with the 2002–2005 A4

Transmission — Multitronic CVT 2002–2005

Affected: FWD multitronic–equipped cars

Failure of the multitronic continuously variable transmission: jerky acceleration, slipping under load, unusual noises and eventual loss of drive, typically emerging at roughly 60,000-95,000 miles. Failures involve both the clutch pack/chain assembly and the transmission control unit. Widely regarded as the defining B6 defect.

Engine — 1.8T Oil Sludge 2002–2005

Affected: 1.8T only

The 1.8T oil sludge/oil starvation problem carries into the B6; Audi's extended engine coverage for sludge spans 1.8T engines through roughly 2005.

Before you buy a 2002–2005 A4: the 3-minute check

Generated from 627 mileage-tagged complaints, 7 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas.

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 campaigns cover this generation.
  2. Check transmission — multitronic CVT on 2002–2005 (FWD multitronic–equipped cars) cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
  3. Check engine — 1.8T oil sludge on 2002–2005 (1.8T only) cars.
  4. End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.

A4 problems by mileage: where your car sits

Type your odometer, or read the table.

earlier past most reports · in window inside the middle half · later before most · reports, not your odds (how to read)

Where each system’s reports sit against common odometer readings
SystemMiddle half of reports, miAt 60k mi53% belowAt 90k mi79% belowAt 120k mi92% belowAt 150k mi97% belowAt 200k mi99% below
Exterior lighting50,000–92,000in windowin windowearlierearlierearlier
Electrical system11,000–69,000in windowearlierearlierearlierearlier
Fuel system43,000–72,000in windowearlierearlierearlierearlier
Airbag system49,000–113,000in windowin windowearlierearlierearlier
Transmission and driveline40,000–97,000in windowin windowearlierearlierearlier
Engine and its cooling system26,000–70,000in windowearlierearlierearlierearlier
Throttle and speed control35,000–95,000in windowin windowearlierearlierearlier

Figure 3 · Audi A4 2002–2005 · 627 reports with mileage

Share of reports below each mileage

Steps at bin edges (how to read it)

Cumulative share of reports by mileage, Audi A4 2002–2005Of 627 reports that record mileage, the share filed below each odometer reading, rising in steps at each 10,000-mile bin edge. 53 percent below 60,000 miles. 79 percent below 90,000 miles. 92 percent below 120,000 miles. 97 percent below 150,000 miles. 99 percent below 200,000 miles. Median 57,000 miles.
  • 60,000 mi — 53% of reports below
  • 90,000 mi — 79% of reports below
  • 120,000 mi — 92% of reports below
  • 150,000 mi — 97% of reports below
  • 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
  • Median (the 50% line)
  • Your odometer, once entered

Linear axis, same as Figure 1.

2002–2005 Audi A4 recalls (7)

NHTSA records 7 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).

The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (4), the fuel system (2), the exterior lighting (1) (why one area can repeat).

Summaries below shorten NHTSA’s own wording.

  1. Jun 2021 · 2002 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag may not properly protect the occupant…

    The defect. 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)…

    What can 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 free 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…

    NHTSA campaign 21V-470 (2021-06-23).

  2. Jun 2018 · 2005 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…

    The defect. 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…

    What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    The free fix. Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag with an alternate remedy part, free of charge. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer…

    NHTSA campaign 18V-427 (2018-06-22).

  3. Jan 2017 · 2005 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…

    The defect. 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…

    What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    The free fix. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.…

    NHTSA campaign 17V-032 (2017-01-11).

  4. Jun 2016 · 2004–2005 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…

    The defect. 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…

    What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    The free fix. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer…

    NHTSA campaign 16V-382 (2016-06-01).

  5. Aug 2007 · 2003 · Fuel System, GasolineIf fuel flow to the engine is interrupted, the vehicle could stall without warning and thus present a…

    The defect. 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.

    What can happen. If fuel flow to the engine is interrupted, the vehicle could stall without warning and thus present a potential risk of crash.

    The free fix. Dealers will install new fuel pumps free of charge. The recall began on september 28, 20007. Owners may contact vw at 1-800-222-8987 or Audi at 1-800-822-2834. This recall is a supplement to a…

    NHTSA campaign 07V-375 (2007-08-28).

  6. Jan 2006 · 2003 · Fuel System, GasolineIf fuel flow to the engine is interrupted, the vehicle could stall without warning and thus present a…

    The defect. 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…

    What can happen. If fuel flow to the engine is interrupted, the vehicle could stall without warning and thus present a potential risk of crash.

    The free fix. Dealers will install new fuel pumps free of charge. The recall began on april 10, 2006. Owners may contact vw at 1-800-222-8987 or Audi at 1-800-822-2834.

    NHTSA campaign 06V-017 (2006-01-23).

  7. Mar 2005 · 2003–2004 · Exterior LightingThis condition could affect a driver's field of view, increasing the risk of a crash.

    The defect. 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.

    What can happen. This condition could affect a driver's field of view, increasing the risk of a crash.

    The free fix. Dealers will replace the left and right xenon headlamp reflectors free of charge. The recall began on april 11, 2005. Owners may contact Audi at 1-800-822-2834.

    NHTSA campaign 05V-096 (2005-03-15).

Some of these 7 campaigns also cover Audi A4 2006–2008 (3 of them): the same campaign number appears in NHTSA’s file against both, which means the same defect and the same free repair. 1 of the 7 are specific to this vehicle alone.

Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported

Out of 804 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:

Crashes
38 (4.7%)
Fires
18
Injury reports
23
Fatality reports
0

Self-reported and overlapping (how to read these).

A4 problems by model year

The 2005 drew the most complaints of this generation, 219, most of them about the exterior lighting, and the 2002 the fewest, 181. A typical year drew about 202.

Complaints by model year
YearComplaintsWith mileageMedian milesMost reportedRecalls
200218111330,000Electrical system (76)1
200321518160,000Transmission and driveline (44)3
200418916860,000Fuel system (46)2
200521916558,000Exterior lighting (101)3

What A4 owners reported

The contact owns a 2003 Audi A4. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle decelerated, lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart and there was steam coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence where an independent mechanic…

2003 · 100,000 miles · Engine and its cooling system

The contact owns a 2003 Audi A4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a fuel odor was detected. The contact parked the vehicle and noticed there was fuel leaking on the rear driver's side. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the fuel pump flange and hoses needed to be…

2003 · 144,000 miles · Fuel system

I originally had 3 recalls on my vehicle i called in to see about getting them fixed free of charge as explained in the recall tech bulletin .The customer service representative proceeded in getting all of my information then after doing so tells me there are no recalls on my vehicle and proceeded to update my cars…

2004 · 157,000 miles · Airbag system

Noticed air bag lights on didnt think quick , also i notuced electrical issue here & there. Engine runs & sounds louder when using a/c. When you go to shut off vehicle theres a loud thump thump noise at the end fir about 3 mins or so , problems starting the engine , back windshield wiper turns on by its self , a week…

2005 · 175,000 miles · Airbag system

Built from 627 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built

Other A4 generations

  • A4 1996–2001 403 reports with mileage, most about the hydraulic brake circuit
  • A4 2006–2008 345 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system
  • A4 2009–2016 361 reports with mileage, most about the engine

Other compact luxury cars from the same years