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2003 Audi A4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most A4 years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Audi A4 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 76.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

177 reports with mileage · 33 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports6 fire reports8 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

32 reports
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37,000 miles · Oct 4, 2007
Electrical System

AUDI A4 6-CYL 3.0L AVANT 2003 MODEL YEAR. COIL PACK #2 FAILED ON SEP 28TH 2007. AUDI HAS HAD A RECALL FOR THE 2003 A4 4-CYL 1.8L ENGINES BUT NOT FOR THE 3.0L ENGINES. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 37K MILES ON THE ODOMETER. IT'S LIKELY THAT THERE WILL BE MORE CP FAILURES, UNTIL I HAVE ALL OF THEM REPLACED. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A REC…

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AUDI A4 6-CYL 3.0L AVANT 2003 MODEL YEAR. COIL PACK #2 FAILED ON SEP 28TH 2007. AUDI HAS HAD A RECALL FOR THE 2003 A4 4-CYL 1.8L ENGINES BUT NOT FOR THE 3.0L ENGINES. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 37K MILES ON THE ODOMETER. IT'S LIKELY THAT THERE WILL BE MORE CP FAILURES, UNTIL I HAVE ALL OF THEM REPLACED. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL FOR THE 3.0L ENGINE AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10205051

56,600 miles · Jul 4, 2007
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE LOST POWER, WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT AND HAD IT TOWED TO MECHANIC. IGNITION COIL IN CYLINDER #2 FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10195331

52,125 miles · Mar 22, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 03 AUDI A4T QUATTRO IN JUNE OF 03. THE DEALER IS GREAT AND THANK GOD THEY VALUE THEIR CUSTOMERS BECAUSE MY CAR HAS GIVEN THEM ALOT PRACTICE ON EVERYTHING. I THINK GERMANY SENT US A DUD! SINCE BUYING THE CAR I HAVE NEEDED VARIOUS ITEMS REPLACED: A NEW COMPUTER, (REPLACED BY THE DEALER), A NEW FUEL SYSTE…

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I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 03 AUDI A4T QUATTRO IN JUNE OF 03. THE DEALER IS GREAT AND THANK GOD THEY VALUE THEIR CUSTOMERS BECAUSE MY CAR HAS GIVEN THEM ALOT PRACTICE ON EVERYTHING. I THINK GERMANY SENT US A DUD! SINCE BUYING THE CAR I HAVE NEEDED VARIOUS ITEMS REPLACED: A NEW COMPUTER, (REPLACED BY THE DEALER), A NEW FUEL SYSTEM WAS NEEDED BECAUSE MY CAR STALLED IN THE LEFT LANE OF A HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE (LATER RECALLED BY AUDI BUT AFTER I NEEDED TO BE TOWED AND HAVE THE CPMPONENT FIXED ALONG WITH OTHER ITEMS SUPPOSEDLY ATTACHED TO THE SYTEM), AND MOST RECENTLY 2 SEPARATE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE NOT YET BEEN FIXED BUT HAVE OCCURRED WITHIN 1100 MILES OF EACH OTHER. FIRST DIAGNOSIS OF THE NOISE AND SHIMMY WHILE DRIVING WAS TIRE BALANCE AND LATER RACK AND PIN STEERING AND AFTER ALL THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE SHIMMY AT 65MPH + IS ALONG WITH THE WHINNING IN THE CAR THE FIRST 10 MILES FO EACH DAY (AFTER IT IS WARMED UP OR EVEN IF IT IS A WARM DAY). AND WHAT SUPPOSEDLY WAS FIRST THOUGHT TO BE A COIL IS NOW A MYSTERY. THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR OVER 2 DAYS AND ARE STILL UNSURE AS TO WHAT IS GOING ON. THANK GOD I BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY!

NHTSA ODI #10185923

22,000 miles · Mar 11, 2007
Electrical SystemVisibility

I PURCHASED THIS CAR ON 1/24/07 WITH 22,422 MILES ON IT. SIX DAYS LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING, IT WAS SHAKING UNBELIEVABLE, WOULD NOT RUN PROPERLY, GO OVER 20 MPH. I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM, THEY REPLACED A COIL PACK. WITHIN A SHORT TIME, ON FEBRUARY 14, 2007, THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME BACK O…

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I PURCHASED THIS CAR ON 1/24/07 WITH 22,422 MILES ON IT. SIX DAYS LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING, IT WAS SHAKING UNBELIEVABLE, WOULD NOT RUN PROPERLY, GO OVER 20 MPH. I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM, THEY REPLACED A COIL PACK. WITHIN A SHORT TIME, ON FEBRUARY 14, 2007, THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME BACK ON. AT THAT POINT I BROUGHT IT TO THE NEAREST AUDI DEALER. IT NEEDED A TURBO BYPASS VALVE REPLACED. FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2007 THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON AGAIN. I BROUGHT IT TO THE AUDI DEALER ONCE AGAIN. THEY RESET THE ENGINE CODES AND SAY IT HAS HAD A RANDOM MISFIRE. TODAY, MARCH 11, 2007 THE ENGINE LIGHT IS FLASHING AGAIN, AND WILL NOT DRIVE OVER 20 MPH. I AM HAVING IT TOWED TO THE DEALER IN THE MORNING, TODAY IS SUNDAY AND THEY ARE NOT OPEN FOR BUSINESS. I DRIVE ABOUT 1,000 MILES A WEEK AND I NEED MY CAR OPERATIONAL. I WORRY EACH TIME I DRIVE THIS CAR, I HAVE TO RETURN IT TO THE DEALER ALMOST WEEKLY. IT HAS LOW MILES. CARFAX STATES THIS AUTOMOBILE HAS A CLEAN HISTORY AND IS UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY UNTIL 6/07. THE BOOKLET OBTAINED WITH THE PURCHASE OF THIS CAR STATES THE 4 YR/50,000 MI WARRANTY BECAME EFFECTIVE 6/03 WHICH WOULD LEAVE THE REMAINDER OF THE FULLY TRANSFERABLE FACTORY WARRANTY VALID UNTIL 6/07. THE AUDI DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY, SAYING THAT IT EXPIRED 1/31/07. THE CAR NOW HAS 29,XXX MILES ON IT AND I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH IT. THE SUNROOF MOTOR ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AS I AM TOLD BY THE DEALER, WHO THEN TOLD ME THE MOTOR IS $501. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10184755

52,400 miles · Dec 21, 2006
Electrical System

THE CAR (AN AUDI A4) STARTED SHAKING AND COULD NOT BE DRIVEN OVER 40 MILES PER HOUR. IT HAD TO BE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND BE TOWED TO A DEALER TO REPLACE 2 SPARK PLUG IGNITION COILS. 4 SPARK PLUG IGNITION COILS HAVE FAILED DURING THE PAST YEAR. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE IS LISTED BELOW. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10176763

30,000 miles · Nov 26, 2006
Electrical SystemEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

AUDI A4 2003, THE CLUTCH FAILED AT 30,000 MILES, BUT AUDI REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNTIL IT WAS COMPLETELY UNDRIVABLE. I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE IT WAS CATEGORIZED AS WEAR AND TEAR, THUS NOT COVERED BY AUDI'S LEAST. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THE FUEL PUMP ALSO FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE JACK BROKE WHILE …

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AUDI A4 2003, THE CLUTCH FAILED AT 30,000 MILES, BUT AUDI REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNTIL IT WAS COMPLETELY UNDRIVABLE. I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE IT WAS CATEGORIZED AS WEAR AND TEAR, THUS NOT COVERED BY AUDI'S LEAST. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THE FUEL PUMP ALSO FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE JACK BROKE WHILE CHANGING A FLAT TIRE AND I WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAD HAPPENED TO OTHER AUDI OWNERS, BUT STILL HAD TO PAY THE DAMAGE TO THE PLASTIC SIDING OUT OF POCKET. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10174279

70,000 miles · Nov 15, 2006
Air BagsElectrical SystemInjury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON A CITY STREET, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE PASSENGER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FACTORY STEREO WIRING WAS ENTANGLED WITH THE AIRBAG WIRING WHICH RESULTED IN THE A…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON A CITY STREET, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE PASSENGER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FACTORY STEREO WIRING WAS ENTANGLED WITH THE AIRBAG WIRING WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.

NHTSA ODI #10173561

44,000 miles · Nov 18, 2005
Electrical SystemPower Train

ON NOVEMBER 14TH MY A4 1.8 STALLED, WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, A COIL WAS REPLACED...WHEN I DROVE THE CAR HOME IT WOULD THUMP AND JERK UP AROUND 60 MPH. I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT IT COULD AGAIN BE ANOTHER COIL BUT WERE NOT PERMITTED TO REPLACE ALL THE COILS THE DAY BEFORE BECAUSE MANUFACTURER WOULDN'T PAY FOR AN…

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ON NOVEMBER 14TH MY A4 1.8 STALLED, WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, A COIL WAS REPLACED...WHEN I DROVE THE CAR HOME IT WOULD THUMP AND JERK UP AROUND 60 MPH. I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT IT COULD AGAIN BE ANOTHER COIL BUT WERE NOT PERMITTED TO REPLACE ALL THE COILS THE DAY BEFORE BECAUSE MANUFACTURER WOULDN'T PAY FOR ANYTHING MORE THAN THE FAULTY COIL...EVEN THOUGH THEY FIGURED MORE MIGHT FAIL...WELL, IT TURNS OUT IT WAS THE "THROTTLE" - THEY RESET IT AND I PICKED UP THE CAR AND STARTED DRIVING HOME WHEN IT THUMPED AND JERKED AGAIN...TURNED AROUND AND RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER...THIS ALL HAPPENED ON THE 15TH...IT IS NOW THE 18TH AND AFTER WORKING WITH THEIR ENGINEERS, THEY FEAR THEY MAY NOW NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION...I AM JUST GLAD THAT I HAVE A LOANER CAR AND THAT I HAVE 5K MORE MILES ON MY WARRANTY...I THINK I AM GOING TO BY THE EXTENDED SINCE THIS IS 3 HUGE PROBLEMS IN 5 WEEKS TIME! *JB

NHTSA ODI #10143143

44,000 miles · Nov 14, 2005
Electrical System

ON OCTOBER 11TH MY FUEL FILTER AND PUMP WERE REPLACED AND A ROAD TEST WAS COMPLETED...ON NOVEMBER 14TH (5 WEEKS LATER) MY A4 BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE MIL CAME ON. I PULLED VEHICLE TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER INFORMED ME THAT INGNITION COIL FAILED AND HAD STARTED TO AFFECT THE SPARK PLUGS AND WAS ONLY R…

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ON OCTOBER 11TH MY FUEL FILTER AND PUMP WERE REPLACED AND A ROAD TEST WAS COMPLETED...ON NOVEMBER 14TH (5 WEEKS LATER) MY A4 BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE MIL CAME ON. I PULLED VEHICLE TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER INFORMED ME THAT INGNITION COIL FAILED AND HAD STARTED TO AFFECT THE SPARK PLUGS AND WAS ONLY RUNNING ON 3 CYLINDERS AS A RESULT. THEY REPLACED THE COIL AND COMPLETED A ROAD TEST - HOWEVER THEY HAD COMPLETED A ROAD TEST 5 WEEKS AGO TOO - SO I AM FEELING LEST CONFIDENT WHEN I DRIVE...FEARFUL OF DRIVING IN LESS FAMILIAR LOCATIONS OR IN ANY LANE EXCEPT THE SLOW LANE IN CASE I NEED TO PULL OVER. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10142642

32,000 miles · Oct 31, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

DT: THE CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING AT 10-15 MPH THE ENGINE BEGAN TO STALL, FOLLOWED BY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THERE HAD BEEN NO PRIOR INCIDENTS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 20 MPH. THERE WAS THE DISTINCT ODOR OF SOMETHING BURNING COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BUT NO SMOKE. HE PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE V…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING AT 10-15 MPH THE ENGINE BEGAN TO STALL, FOLLOWED BY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THERE HAD BEEN NO PRIOR INCIDENTS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 20 MPH. THERE WAS THE DISTINCT ODOR OF SOMETHING BURNING COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BUT NO SMOKE. HE PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. HE COULD NOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS A FAULTY IGNITION COIL IN CYLINDER THREE. THIS WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE SAME SYMPTOMS LATER RETURNED AT A SPEED OF 55 MPH. THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF POWER AND HE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL IN CYLINDER ONE. HE OFFERED NO EXPLANATION OF THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. UPDATED 01/19/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10141302

Official recalls

3

07V375000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Aug 28, 2007

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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).

06V017000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Jan 23, 2006

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

05V096000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Mar 15, 2005

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.