NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
210 reportsMileage unknown · Jan 8, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline
AUDI HAS INTENTIONALLY PUT MY FAMILY AND ME AT RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR WORSE BY REFUSING TO REPLACE A POSSIBLY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP IN MY 2003 A4 1.8L TURBO. EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED WITHIN THE TIMEFRAME SPECIFIED IN THE FUEL PUMP RECALL CAMPAIGNS, AUDI USA TOLD ME MY CAR SHOULDN'T BE AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM SINCE…
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AUDI HAS INTENTIONALLY PUT MY FAMILY AND ME AT RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR WORSE BY REFUSING TO REPLACE A POSSIBLY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP IN MY 2003 A4 1.8L TURBO. EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED WITHIN THE TIMEFRAME SPECIFIED IN THE FUEL PUMP RECALL CAMPAIGNS, AUDI USA TOLD ME MY CAR SHOULDN'T BE AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM SINCE THE RECALLS DON?T INCLUDE MY CAR'S VIN. (CAMPAIGNS #06V017000 AND #07V375000) THESE RECALLS COVER A4 1.8L TURBO ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2002 TO MARCH 31, 2003. MINE WAS MANUFACTURED ON NOVEMBER 8, 2002. IT IS CLEAR TO ME THAT AUDI IS PUTTING US AT RISK FOR A CRASH AND INJURY, SINCE 1) THEY USED THE SAME EXCUSE TO DENY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL 4 DEFECTIVE IGNITION COILS THAT TURNED OUT NEEDING REPLACEMENT (SEE ODI #10214099); 2) MY CAR HAS ALREADY HAD SERIOUS MECHANICAL PROBLEMS (COMPLETELY NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR BY 69,000 MILES); 3) AUDI SEEMS UNAWARE OF HOW MANY CARS ARE REALLY AFFECTED BY THIS, GIVEN THEY DIDN'T INCLUDE ENOUGH VEHICLES IN THE FIRST FUEL PUMP RECALL OF 74,000 CARS AND HAD TO ADD A SECOND ONE FOR AN ADDITIONAL 34,000; AND 4) THESE FUEL PUMPS ARE KNOWN TO FAIL AS EARLY AS 50,000 MILES, AND MY CAR HAS 70,000. IT IS FOR THESE FOUR REASONS MY FUEL PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT AUDI?S EXPENSE. AUDI NEEDS TO STOP MAKING ITS CAR OWNERS PAY FOR THEIR ENGINEERING MISTAKES. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PRACTICE THAT NEEDS TO STOP BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10214145
69,061 miles · Jan 7, 2008
Electrical System
ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS MY 2003 A4 (1.8T) STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY AS I ACCELERATED FROM A COMPLETE STOP. EVERY TIME IT HAPPENED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE CAR LOST MOST ALL OF ITS POWER AND WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER, AND WOULDN'T GET ABOVE 15 MPH. AND EVERY TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, …
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ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS MY 2003 A4 (1.8T) STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY AS I ACCELERATED FROM A COMPLETE STOP. EVERY TIME IT HAPPENED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE CAR LOST MOST ALL OF ITS POWER AND WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER, AND WOULDN'T GET ABOVE 15 MPH. AND EVERY TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, HAVING TO COAX THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND OUT OF HARM'S WAY. THE CAR WAS TOWED EACH TIME TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT AN IGNITION COIL (OR TWO) HAD BLOWN. ALL 4 COIL PACKS HAD TO BE REPLACED WITHIN A YEAR AT A COST OF OVER $900. AUDI KNOWS THEY PRODUCED CARS WITH FAULTY IGNITION COILS IN A4 CARS EQUIPPED WITH 1.8 LITER ENGINES IN THE 2001, 2002, AND EARLY PRODUCTION 2003 MODEL YEARS. IN FEBRUARY 2003 THEY ANNOUNCED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THESE COILS FREE OF CHARGE TO THE VEHICLE OWNERS. ALTHOUGH MY CAR IS AN EARLY PRODUCTION 2003 MODEL, AUDI USA TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WAS PRODUCED VERY SOON AFTER THE RANGE OF CARS COVERED IN THE REPLACEMENT. MEANING THAT I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF ALL REPAIRS. I DO NOT BELIEVE AUDI IS CERTAIN THEIR REPLACEMENT ACTION COVERED ALL DEFECTIVE COILS, ESPECIALLY AS MY CAR WAS PRODUCED IN THE SAME TIME FRAME AS THOSE THAT WERE PART OF THE REPLACEMENT. FAULTY IGNITION COILS EXIST IN A FAR GREATER NUMBER OF CARS THAN WHAT AUDI RECOGNIZES AND COVERS IN THEIR 2003 REPLACEMENT ACTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10214099
64,000 miles · Jan 4, 2008
Power Train
IN FEBRUARY 2007, MY 2003 A4'S MULTITRONIC CVT (TRANSMISSION) STARTED TO FAIL. IT WAS SLOW TO ENGAGE TO REVERSE AND TO FIRST GEAR FROM A COMPLETE STOP, AND THE PRND INDICATOR ON THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO BLINK CONTINUOUSLY. ALTHOUGH THESE WERE OBVIOUS PROBLEMS, THE MECHANIC AT OUR AUDI DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THE CAR WAS 'OPERATIN…
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IN FEBRUARY 2007, MY 2003 A4'S MULTITRONIC CVT (TRANSMISSION) STARTED TO FAIL. IT WAS SLOW TO ENGAGE TO REVERSE AND TO FIRST GEAR FROM A COMPLETE STOP, AND THE PRND INDICATOR ON THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO BLINK CONTINUOUSLY. ALTHOUGH THESE WERE OBVIOUS PROBLEMS, THE MECHANIC AT OUR AUDI DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THE CAR WAS 'OPERATING ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS.' THE CAR ONLY HAD 61,000 MILES. SOON THEREAFTER, THE TRANSMISSION GOT WORSE. ON ONE OCCASION, MY INFANT DAUGHTER AND I WERE PUT IN DANGER WHEN THE TRANSMISSION DIDN'T ENGAGE AS I ATTEMPTED A LEFT TURN. WE WERE STUCK IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC IN A CAR THAT WOULD NOT MOVE. IT WAS ONLY AFTER I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL MULTIPLE TIMES, REVVING THE ENGINE SIGNIFICANTLY, THAT THE CAR BUCKED INTO FIRST GEAR AND LURCHED FORWARD. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE WHEN I TRIED TO BACK OUT OF A SPACE IN A BUSY PARKING LOT. THIS SPACE WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, CAUSING THE CAR TO ROLL FORWARD WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS IN THE ATTEMPT TO ENGAGE THE REVERSE. INSTEAD OF REVERSING, AGAIN THE ENGINE REVVED SIGNIFICANTLY AND ROLLED FORWARD, NEARLY MISSING THE PARKED CAR IN FRONT OF ME. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE REVERSE SUDDENLY ENGAGED AND LURCHED BACKWARDS. THANK GOODNESS NOBODY WAS INJURED IN EITHER SITUATION. AT 64,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY. I HAD TO REPLACE IT AT A COST OF $6,500. AUDI EVEN REQUIRED THAT MY BROKEN TRANSMISSION BE SENT BACK TO THEM SO THEY COULD STUDY THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICAL STAFF AT MY AUDI DEALERSHIP, AS WELL AS THE OWNER OF THE REPAIR SHOP WHERE I EVENTUALLY HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED, REMARKED THAT THE MULTITRONIC CVT'S DESIGN IS PROBLEMATIC, AND THAT THEY'RE SEEING MAJOR ISSUES WITH THEM. *CN
NHTSA ODI #10213659
70,000 miles · Dec 4, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DISABLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER NHTSA CAMPA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DISABLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V017000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #10210819
55,935 miles · Dec 3, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control
AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 65 MPH, THE GAS PEDAL WOULD LIFT SLIGHTLY AWAY FROM MY FOOT (LIKE I JUST TURNED ON CRUISE CONTROL, BUT I HAD NOT TOUCHED THE CRUISE AT ALL) AND WHEN I LIFTED MY FOOT COMPLETELY AWAY FROM THE PEDAL, IT WOULD STAY STEADY AT 65 MPH. I BRAKED TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN, AND THE CAR…
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AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 65 MPH, THE GAS PEDAL WOULD LIFT SLIGHTLY AWAY FROM MY FOOT (LIKE I JUST TURNED ON CRUISE CONTROL, BUT I HAD NOT TOUCHED THE CRUISE AT ALL) AND WHEN I LIFTED MY FOOT COMPLETELY AWAY FROM THE PEDAL, IT WOULD STAY STEADY AT 65 MPH. I BRAKED TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN, AND THE CAR WOULD SLOW AS LONG AS MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, BUT ONCE I LET OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR WOULD MAINTAIN THE LOWERED SPEED. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND I FELT THAT I HAD LITTLE CONTROL OVER THE ACCELERATION/DECELERATION OF THE CAR. AT ONE POINT, I SLOWED THE CAR DOWN COMPLETELY TO A STOP AND HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE AND THOUGH MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, THE RPM'S WERE STILL AROUND 2000. I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND THE TACH REVVED UP TO BETWEEN 4500 - 5000 RPM, AS IF THE GAS HAD BEEN PUSHED. I TAPPED MY FOOT ON THE GAS A FEW TIMES LIGHTLY AND THE GAS PEDAL SEEMED TO COME UNSTUCK AND THE CAR WENT BACK TO IDLE RPM'S (<1000). I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND PUMPED THE GAS PEDAL A FEW TIMES, THEN CAUTIOUSLY DROVE HOME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10210646
53,000 miles · Nov 25, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
COOLING STARTED TO LEAK INTO A SPARKPLUG, NO OVERHEATING OCCURRED AND CAR WAS TAKING TO DEALER, TO FIND OUT THE ENGINE WAS CRACKED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10209859
Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline
2003 AUDI A4 REQUESTING FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS HAVING FREQUENT STALLING WHEN STARTING AND WHEN IN USE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE FELL WITHIN THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER RANGE REGARDING THE RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DISPLAYING FREQUENT STA…
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2003 AUDI A4 REQUESTING FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS HAVING FREQUENT STALLING WHEN STARTING AND WHEN IN USE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE FELL WITHIN THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER RANGE REGARDING THE RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DISPLAYING FREQUENT STALLING AT START UP AND INTERMITTENT STALLING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN USE. RECALL # 07V375000. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10209491
55,000 miles · Oct 23, 2007
Power Train
MY VEHICLE IS AN AUDI A4 3.0. I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED IN 6/2003. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, WHEN I HAVE PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE THE CAR BEGINS TO BUCK/SHAKE VIOLENTLY FOR SEVERAL SECONDS UNTIL I PRESS ON THE BRAKE PUT THE CAR BACK INTO PARK. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE AUDI DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE I…
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MY VEHICLE IS AN AUDI A4 3.0. I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED IN 6/2003. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, WHEN I HAVE PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE THE CAR BEGINS TO BUCK/SHAKE VIOLENTLY FOR SEVERAL SECONDS UNTIL I PRESS ON THE BRAKE PUT THE CAR BACK INTO PARK. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE AUDI DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. MOST RECENTLY, AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR. HOWEVER, LAST WEEK AS I WAS RETURNING HOME, SMOKE BEGAN TO COME OUT OF THE ENGINE. I BROUGHT IT TO AUDI SERVICE AND I WAS TOLD TODAY THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING AND WAS DRIPPING ONTO MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHICH WAS THE CAUSE FOR THE SMOKE. HOWEVER, I AM NOW NO LONGER COVERED BY MY WARRANTY. IT SEEMS LIKE THE CVT TRANSMISSION ON THIS CAR IS PRONE FOR FAILURE AFTER 50,000. THEY WANT TO TAKE OUT MY TRANSMISSION AND EITHER REPLACE/REPAIR IT (IF POSSIBLE). I CONTACTED AUDI CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY CONTACTED AUDI SERVICE. THEY ARE CURRENTLY IN DISCUSSION WITH REGARDS TO THE COVERAGE FOR THE REPAIRS. THEY SHOULD HAVE FOUND THE PROBLEM A WHILE AGO WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10206657
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
55,000 miles · Aug 21, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IDLING WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 06V017000 (FUEL SYSTE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IDLING WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 06V017000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #10200392
Official recalls
3Aug 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).
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.
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 ↗