2003 Audi A4

Above average

Owners filed 210 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the fuel system, gasoline › delivery › fuel pump. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

177 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles; the median is 60,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump22
000
Vehicle Speed Control14
102
Power Train › Automatic Transmission14
000
Power Train14
000
Exterior Lighting14
000
Electrical System13
010
Fuel System, Gasoline11
000
Engine and Engine Cooling9
010
Electrical System › Ignition9
000
Air Bags9
509

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine14E007000
Filed Mar 7, 201450 vehiclesThe Gates Corporation

Defect. 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.

Risk. A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy. Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump07V375000
Filed Aug 28, 200734,358 vehiclesVolkswagen Of America, Inc

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.

Risk. IF FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE IS INTERRUPTED, THE VEHICLE COULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND THUS PRESENT A POTENTIAL RISK OF CRASH.

Remedy. 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 PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN (PLEASE SEE 06V017).

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump06V017000
Filed Jan 23, 200674,000 vehiclesVolkswagen Of America, Inc

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 THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO STALL.

Risk. IF FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE IS INTERRUPTED, THE VEHICLE COULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND THUS PRESENT A POTENTIAL RISK OF CRASH.

Remedy. 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.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights05V096000
Filed Mar 15, 20059,965 vehiclesVolkswagen Of America, Inc

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.

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD AFFECT A DRIVER'S FIELD OF VIEW, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Oct 11, 2024GA

Crank case ventilation hose breaks and engine runs poorly part#06C103235B

Electrical System
Filed Jan 3, 2023TX

Water pump failed inside lights sometimes work and signal lights aren’t accurate

Electrical System
Filed Nov 26, 2022TX

Radio intermediate goes out hitting bumps speedometer stopped working the number ninth digit is not pulling up when I search vehicle information Replaced engine vehicle only had 20,000 miles

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 6, 2022100,000 milesCA

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 diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the vehicle had experienced a similar failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14E007000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and notified of the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was necessary to check for recalls. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 5, 2022WA

Left turn signal works fine. Right turn signal alternates between flashing left and right.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jan 6, 2022143,839 milesCA

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 replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they would cover the part replacement. The failure mileage was 143,839.

EngineFire
Filed Oct 6, 2021IN

The coolant light came on after I replaced coil packs and I stopped to look wasn't leaking anywhere. Drove to work and it caught on fire due to overheating I guess not really sure. I was driving a car on fire down a highway and didn't even know it. I stopped to take a left turn into work and smoke stared billowing out and around the entire car. Other drivers couldn't see me or nothing I could have been in an accident. The fire department checked the car out sort of and it's in a mechanics shop now. Trying to figure it out. Oil light was on and that's it. AN then the coolant light would kick on and off. Nothing else after I changed the coil packs. And it was well after I did that.

Power Train
Filed Aug 12, 2020174,400 milesAL

2003 AUDI A4 3.0 CABRIOLET CONVERTIBLE STARTED SHIFTING ROUGH AND HESITANT AND SHUT OFF, CRANKED BACK UP WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND ALL THE SHIFTING GEAR LIGHTS CAME ON R N D 2 , BARELY MADE IT BACK HOME, PUT CODE READER ON CAR HAD A LOT OF CODES ON IT I RESET CODES BUT RND2 LIGHTS STILL ON , POSSIBLE BAD TCM?

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fire
Filed Jun 26, 2020199,800 milesME

INITIALLY DROVE CAR HOME FROM GROCERY STORE HIT A BUMP AND NOTICED A SPARK COMING FROM FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF CAR. PULLED OVER AND CHECKED FOR SPARK EVIDENT ONCE STOPPED THERE WAS NO SIGN OF SPARK OR ANYTHING. GOT CAR HOME AND PARKED ABOUT AN HOUR LATER MY CAR WAS ON FIRE, AFTER PUTTING THE FIRE OUT MY HUSBAND LIFTED THE HOOD AND TRIED TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE WHEN HE DISCOVERED THE BATTERY WAS MELTED TO THE HOOD AND IS WHERE THE FIRE INITIALLY CAUGHT. THE LOCATION OF THE BATTERY WE BELIEVE TO BE THE ISSUE AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE TO REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY. *TR

Power Train
Filed May 28, 2019CA

TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF DRIVE WHILE DRIVING INTO LIKE NEUTRAL AND WHEN I ACCELERATE THE CAR DOES NOT MOVE AND COMES TO A FULL STOP AND I HAVE TO STOP AND TURN THE CAR ON AND OFF TILL IT WORKS AGAIN

Power Train
Filed Feb 2, 2019145,000 milesGA

ON JANUARY 28, 2019 I WAS DRIVING TO MY MEDICAL APPOINTMENT AT 35 MILES PER HOUR WHEN MY CAR FROZE UP THEN BUCKED AND NOW NO LONGER THE TRANSMISSION WILL NO LONGER ENGAGE. UPON RESEARCH AUDI HAS KNOWN OF THIS TRANSMISSION HAVING SERIOUS FAULTS AND THAT IT WILL BREAK DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. AUDI HAS REFUSED TO DO ANY RECALL ON THESE TRANSMISSIONS, EVEN AFTER A CLASS ACTION THAT WAS SETTLED, AUDI WILL NOT DO ANY RECALL.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 19, 2018NY

THERE SEEMS TO BE A FUEL PUMP OR OTHER ISSUE ALONG THE FUEL LINE. RECENTLY, THE GAS CAP INDICATOR HAS GONE OFF, AND WON'T TURN OFF. I EVEN TRIED REPLACING THE GAS CAP WITH A NEW ONE. I CHECKED FOR LOOSE PARTS ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK (THROUGH THE TRUNK). NO VISIBLE ISSUES, BUT I DO SMELL GASOLINE ON HUMID DAYS, THERE IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE ALONG THE FUEL LINE. I NOTICED THERE WERE RECALLS BY AUDI FOR DIFFERENT VINS (NOT MINE), THAT HIGHLIGHT ISSUES WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM AND FUEL PUMP - RECALL NUMBER 06V017000 (01/23/2006), AND 07V375000 (08/28/2007) (OTHERS?). I'VE TRIED CALLING AUDI TO SEE IF THEY'D BE WILLING TO INVESTIGATE WHETHER A BROADER NUMBER OF VINS NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL (INCLUDING MINE), AND THEY REFUSED TO COVER COSTS TO LOOK INTO IT.

Power Train
Filed Sep 2, 201886,500 milesFL

THE CONSTANTLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (CVT) OF MY 2003 AUDI A4 CABRIOLET 1.8T WITH JUST 86,000 MILES ON IT IS FAULTY, AND HAS CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO STALL OUT ON FOUR OCCASIONS, TWICE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND WHILE PARKING, AND TWICE WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE WHILE ACCELERATING AT A SPEED OF 35 AND 60 MPH, ON A CITY ROAD AND ONCE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO THE INTERSTATE. THE VEHICLE MUST BE RESTARTED TO DRIVE, AND HAS JUST BARELY SPUTTERED BACK TO LIFE IN MY FOUR EXPERIENCES SO FAR. AUDI IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND HAS SETTLED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN THE PAST, ALTHOUGH THE SETTLEMENT EXPIRED MORE THAN TWO YEARS AGO LEAVING OWNERS LIKE MYSELF ON THE HOOK FOR COSTLY REPAIRS, AND LEFT WITH AN UNSAFE VEHICLE IN THE MEAN TIME. AUDI SHOULD RECALL ALL AUDI A4 1.8T CVT TRANSMISSIONS FROM 2003 TO 2006 AND PERMENTANTLY SOLVE THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Aug 19, 2018141,379 milesCA

TAMARA RECALL MY CAR WOULDNT START KEEP GETTING STEER WHEEL HARD TO DRIVE SHIFTS TO GEAR GET STUCK

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jul 12, 2018112,345 milesCA

LOSS OF POWER OR LATE RESPONSE TO THROTTLE. TCS AND ABS LIGHT LIMININTED AFTER REPLACING SENSOR. VIBERTION IN PASSENGER SIDE AROUND 50 MPH OR BRAKING. REPLACED IGNITION COIL TWICE.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jan 11, 2018AZ

AFTER RETURNING HOME FROM A DRIVE THROUGH FAST FOOD PLACE LAST NIGHT MY DAUGHTER WAS PARKING IN OUR DRIVEWAY, SHE WAS IN REVERSE. THE CAR (A 2003 AUDI A4 CV CONVERTIBLE) BOUNCED AND MADE A SOUND THEN SHE STOPPED. I SAID TAKE THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION TO HER BLACK SMOKE STARTED TO RISE OUT OF THE TOP OF THE HOOD CRACK IN FRONT OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. I TOLD HER TO GET THE DOG IN OUR BACK SEAT AND HERSELF OUT I ASSUMED IT WAS ON FIRE BECAUSE THE DARK SMOKE. I GRABBED MY PURSE PIPED THE HOOD AND MY DAUGHTER CALLED 911 AS THE NEIGHBORS RAN INSIDE THERE HOME FOR A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. TWO MEN FROM ACROSS THE STREET ATTEMPTED TO PUT IT OUT AS I SPOKE TO THE 911 OPERATOR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND GOT THE FIRE OUT. MY CAR IS NOW JUNK. MY DAUGHTER WAS EMOTIONALLY STRAINED, HYSTERICAL THROUGHOUT THE INCIDENT. IT WAS TRAUMATIC FOR US BOTH. THE FIREFIGHTERS SAID IT WAS POSSIBLY CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS.

Power Train
Filed Sep 5, 201713,300 milesHI

I BOUGHT AN USED 2003 AUDI A4. I PUT IT IN REVERSE AND IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THEN THE DASH WHERE THE GEARS SHOW WHAT GEAR YOU'RE IN STARTED FLASHING. IT SHOWED A P0706 CODE. THIS HAPPENS SO OFTEN THAT ONE OF THESE TIMES I AM GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR HAS OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT, BUT HOW CAN IT BE MY FAULT THAT THE OTHER OWNERS DID NOT TAKE IT IN TO GET THIS WELL KNOWN MODULE REPAIR FIXED. WHEN I AM PARKED FLAT I CAN USUALLY GET IT IN REVERSE AFTER 4-5 TIMES OF TRYING. BUT...WHEN I AM ON ANY SLANT IT TAKES AT LEAST 10 TIMES OF TRYING ALMOST TO THE POINT OF GETTING OUT AND PUSHING IT IN REVERSE MYSELF!! ONE OF THESE DAYS I AM GOING TO HIT A CAR BEHIND ME TRYING TO GET OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT!! I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL AND I'M JUST WONDERING WHY A CURRENT OWNER OF THE CAR THAT OBVIOUSLY IS DOING THIS CAN'T GET IT FIXED AS THERE WAS A RECALL.

Power Train
Filed Jul 30, 2017100,000 milesCA

MY 2003 AUDI A4 CABRIOLET HAS THE INFAMOUS P0706 CODE, WHICH IS A ERROR CODE INDICATING THE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. IN MY CASE, MY AUDI SLIPS WHILE REVERSING AND CAUSES A HAZARD WHEN I AM REVERSING, ESPECIALLY WHILE IN A TIGHT OR CLUTTERED SPOT. IT ALSO HAS THE PRND BLINKING DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. MANY OTHER AUDI A4S WITH CVT TRANSMISSIONS HAVE HAD THIS FAILURE, WHICH HAS LED TO A LAWSUIT. I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER THAT STATED I WOULD BE ABLE TO GET A FREE REPAIR, BUT I WAS REFUSED BECAUSE MY CAR HAD OVER 100000 MILES ON IT, BUT THE PROBLEM OCCURRED LONG BEFORE THAT. I NEED TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

Power Train
Filed Jul 1, 201786,000 milesMO

CAR STUCK IN LIMP MODE AND CAR WILL JUMP AT CERTAIN SPEEDS

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jun 22, 201680,000 milesFL

I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE LAST YEAR WHEN IT HAD 78,000 MILES ON IT. ONLY 4 MONTHS AFTER HAVING PURCHASED THE CAR, I GOT A MESSAGE ON THE TROUBLE LIGHT WARNING SYSTEM THAT I HAD A "DIPPED LIGHT". I HAD TO GOOGLE OTHER AUDI OWNERS TO FIND OUT WHAT A DIPPED LIGHT WAS, AS I NEVER HEARD OF A BURNED OUT HEADLIGHT TERMED AS A "DIPPED LIGHT" BEFORE. I CAN ONLY DRIVE IT DURING THE DAY NOW, AS I HAVE HEARD IN CAR FORUMS THAT FIXING IT CAN BE QUITE A LONG AND EXPENSIVE PROCESS. I AM AFRAID THAT IT MAY AFFECT MY DRIVING SAFETY EVEN WHEN DRIVING DURING THE DAY, BECAUSE IN FLORIDA WE HAVE A LOT OF STORMY WEATHER DURING THE RAINY SEASON AND THE SKY GETS VERY DARK RIGHT BEFORE THE STORMS COME IN. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT OTHER MOTORISTS CANNOT SEE ME COMING IN BAD WEATHER AND I HAD A NEAR ACCIDENT TODAY, WHEN ANOTHER MOTORIST CAME FLYING OUT OF A PARKING LOT IN FRONT OF ME AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, AND I HAD TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH THEIR VEHICLE.

20 of 210 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2006
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20242000Routine
202310000Routine
20226300Routine
202111400Routine
2020127300Routine
201910100Routine
201844100Routine
201755100Routine
201611010Routine
201519000Routine
201432000Routine
201324020Routine
201219010Routine
201111000Routine
201064000Routine
2009120230Routine
2008175410Routine
2007196300Routine
2006295340Above average
2005219430Above average
2004189330Routine
2003 — this page210460Above average
2002181260Routine
2001131390Routine
200096520Routine
1999190720Routine
1998258620Above average
199798830Routine
199689610Routine
19951200Routine

Compare every A4 year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 7, 2014. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.