IllustrationLOSS 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.
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
230–25K
3725–50K
5850–75K
2775–100K
27100–150K
5150K+
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
Suspension complaints
3 reports2003 AUDI A4 CABRIOLET HAS HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES, FAILURE OF DOOR GASKET SEAL WHICH DESTROYED PLC, RESULTING IN HORRIBLE SOUND SAFETY ISSUE, COST OVER $2K TO FIX, FAILURE OF CV JOINT WHICH COULD CAUSE WHEEL TO FLY OFF, FAILURE OF REAR GLASS WINDOW THAT COULD COME LOOSE HURTING OTHER VEHICLES OR PASSENGERS OF CAR; CAR HAS LESS THAN…
Read full complaint
2003 AUDI A4 CABRIOLET HAS HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES, FAILURE OF DOOR GASKET SEAL WHICH DESTROYED PLC, RESULTING IN HORRIBLE SOUND SAFETY ISSUE, COST OVER $2K TO FIX, FAILURE OF CV JOINT WHICH COULD CAUSE WHEEL TO FLY OFF, FAILURE OF REAR GLASS WINDOW THAT COULD COME LOOSE HURTING OTHER VEHICLES OR PASSENGERS OF CAR; CAR HAS LESS THAN 70K MILES, WAS BOUGHT NEW AND IS GARAGED. AUDI AMERICA SHOULD REIMBURSE OWNERS FOR THESE NUMEROUS, (AND APPARENTLY INEVITABLE, JUDGING BY WHAT I'VE READ AND HEARD FROM OTHER OWNERS) PROBLEMS. *TR
RIGHT FRONT HUB WHELL BEARING SEIZED INTO THE ADJOINING KNUCKLE. THIS FAILURE RESULTED FROM WHAT THE DEALER REPORTED TO BE "ELECTROLYSIS. WRONG CHOICE OF METALS IN THE WHEEL BEARING. WHEEL PARTIALLY SIEZED *AK.
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.