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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

Structure complaints

14 reports
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52,221 miles · Oct 19, 2008
Structure

THE ADHESIVE WHICH HOLDS IN THE REAR WINDOW ON MY 2003 AUDI A4 3.0 CONVERTIBLE CAME UNGLUED, RESULTING IN THE WINDOW GRADUALLY FALLING AWAY FROM THE ROOF. I HAD TO DUCT TAPE IT IN AS I DIDN'T WANT IT POPPING OUT COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING, AND TO PREVENT RAIN / MOISTURE FROM GETTING IN. THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS DRIVING HAZARD S…

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THE ADHESIVE WHICH HOLDS IN THE REAR WINDOW ON MY 2003 AUDI A4 3.0 CONVERTIBLE CAME UNGLUED, RESULTING IN THE WINDOW GRADUALLY FALLING AWAY FROM THE ROOF. I HAD TO DUCT TAPE IT IN AS I DIDN'T WANT IT POPPING OUT COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING, AND TO PREVENT RAIN / MOISTURE FROM GETTING IN. THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS DRIVING HAZARD SHOULD IT DISLODGE WHILE OPERATING. FYI, THE CAR HAD BEEN BABIED SINCE DAY ONE; GARAGE KEPT AND HAND WASHED. AUDI OF AMERICA DID FINALLY AGREE TO PAY FOR A NEW TOP (ABOUT 6K RETAIL) BUT COULD NOT TELL ME IF THE NEW TOP HAD DIFFERENT ADHESIVE (I DON'T WANT A REPEAT OF THIS CIRCUMSTANCE A FEWS YRS DOWN THE LINE). I RESEARCHED THIS, AND THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS W/ THIS PROBLEM. MOST CARS WERE 03'S AT ABOUT 40-50K MILES. IN MY OPINION, AUDI NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE WAS A DEFECT W/ THE ADHESIVE AND OFFER REPLACEMENT AT N/C. IF YOU HAVE AN A4 OR S4 CONVERTIBLE, MONITOR WHERE THE GLASS FITS IN THE TOP. LISTEN FOR A "FLAPPING" NOISE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE MAIN MECHANIC SAID IN ADDITION THE ADHESIVE COMING UNDONE, THERE ALSO APPEARED TO BE SHRINKAGE OF THE TOP. I DO NOT KNOW, FROM AN ENGINEERING STANDPOINT, IF THE SHRINKAGE WAS THE MAIN PROBLEM (I.E, THE "PULLING AWAY" FROM THE TOP) OR IF IT WAS A COMBINATION OF BOTH PROBLEMS THAT CULMINATED IN THE END RESULT. REGARDLESS, AUDI NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS BEFORE THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM W/ THE WINDOW FLYING OUT AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10246045

40,000 miles · Aug 18, 2008
SeatsStructureVisibility

BOUGHT A 2003 AUDI A4 CABRIOLET IN 2005. 6 MONTHS LATER, REAR WINDOW IN 2003 AUDI A4 DETACHED FROM CONVERTIBLE TOP CAUSING REAR LEATHER SEAT TO ROT AND TEAR DUE TO RAIN WATER LEAKING THROUGH THE DETACHED WINDOW. TRIED TO HAVE THE WINDOW REATTACHED BY AN AUDI DEALERSHIP REFERRED DETAILING COMPANY, ADHESIVE DID NOT HOLD AND I WA…

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BOUGHT A 2003 AUDI A4 CABRIOLET IN 2005. 6 MONTHS LATER, REAR WINDOW IN 2003 AUDI A4 DETACHED FROM CONVERTIBLE TOP CAUSING REAR LEATHER SEAT TO ROT AND TEAR DUE TO RAIN WATER LEAKING THROUGH THE DETACHED WINDOW. TRIED TO HAVE THE WINDOW REATTACHED BY AN AUDI DEALERSHIP REFERRED DETAILING COMPANY, ADHESIVE DID NOT HOLD AND I WAS TOLD THE CAR WOULD NEED A NEW ROOF. THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM, DON ROSEN AUDI OF CONSHOHOKEN, PA NOR AUDI WILL TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DETACHED WINDOW OR PROVIDE PAYMENT FOR REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10238628

47,000 miles · Aug 8, 2007
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI A4. SHE NOTICED A LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW OF THE CONVERTIBLE IN ADDITION SHE NOTICED THE ROOF DETACHED FROM THE REAR WINDOW. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONVERTIBLE ROOF NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,000. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI A4. SHE NOTICED A LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW OF THE CONVERTIBLE IN ADDITION SHE NOTICED THE ROOF DETACHED FROM THE REAR WINDOW. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONVERTIBLE ROOF NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,000. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEFECT IS ADHESIVE PROCESS USED DOESN'T STICK TO CONVERTIBLE TOP. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WOULD COST $4,000 TO REPLACE THE TOP. UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10198889

57,000 miles · Jul 14, 2007
Structure

THE REAR WINDOW OF MY 2003 A4 CABIOROLET HAS BECOME DETACHED FROM THE TOP. NOW BARELY HANGING ON, THE WINDOW PRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD TO PASSENGERS AND OTHER VEHICLES WHEN IT FALLS OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10196346

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.