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?
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all A4 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Power Train complaints
43 reportsTRANSMISSION 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
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 THES…
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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.
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 …
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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.
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 OTH…
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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.
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 …
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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.
CAR STUCK IN LIMP MODE AND CAR WILL JUMP AT CERTAIN SPEEDS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD TO BE LIFTED WITH HER FOOT FOR IT TO GO BACK TO NORMAL POSITION. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP AND ATTEMPTING TO …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD TO BE LIFTED WITH HER FOOT FOR IT TO GO BACK TO NORMAL POSITION. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
2003 AUDI A4 WITH 6 SPEED CVT TRANSMISSION. THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THIS VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IT SHIFTS FROM FIRST TO SECOND VERY FAST EVEN IF YOU EASE DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD AND JERKS. I HAVE CAME CLOSE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME . I HAVE R…
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2003 AUDI A4 WITH 6 SPEED CVT TRANSMISSION. THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THIS VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IT SHIFTS FROM FIRST TO SECOND VERY FAST EVEN IF YOU EASE DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD AND JERKS. I HAVE CAME CLOSE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME . I HAVE READ SEVERAL SITES INCLUDING THE AUDI AND VOLKS WAGON FORUMS AND THERE ARE ALSO MANY COMPLAINTS WITH EXACT SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AUDI SHOULD CORRECT.
STOPPED AT STOP LIGHT IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. LIGHT TURNED GREEN. ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE- BUT CAR JUST JERKED AND ROCKED BACK AND FORTH AND THEN ROLLED BACKWARD- ALMOST ROLLING INTO CAR BEHIND ME. HAD TO CALL 911 TO REDIRECT TRAFFIC AND GET A TOW TRUCK. 2ND INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 7/12/14: PICKED CAR UP FROM SERVICE SHOP. DRIVING HO…
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
Official recalls
307V375000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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