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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

210 reports
14,499 miles · Oct 14, 2004
Fuel System, Other

THIS MY SECOND AUDI I OWN, I ALREADY WITNESSED FEW KNOW ISSUES WITH THE 2003 A4 MODEL, WHICH HAS THE PIRRELLI TIRES AS POOR QULAITY, ALSO THE FUEL PUMP WHICH IS A FACTORY DEFECT ( NO RECALL FROM AUDI), PLUS LATELY THE GAS INDICATOR WHICH HAS TO DO WITH FUEL PUMP. MY CAR WAS HOLD FOR 3 WEEKS TO BE SERVICED AND AUDI DID NOT EVEN C…

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THIS MY SECOND AUDI I OWN, I ALREADY WITNESSED FEW KNOW ISSUES WITH THE 2003 A4 MODEL, WHICH HAS THE PIRRELLI TIRES AS POOR QULAITY, ALSO THE FUEL PUMP WHICH IS A FACTORY DEFECT ( NO RECALL FROM AUDI), PLUS LATELY THE GAS INDICATOR WHICH HAS TO DO WITH FUEL PUMP. MY CAR WAS HOLD FOR 3 WEEKS TO BE SERVICED AND AUDI DID NOT EVEN COVER THE TAB OF MY RENTAL DURING THIS TIME, MY EXPERIENCE IS AUDI CUTOMER RELATIONS SHOULD LEARN HOW TO TAKE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS, BECAUSE THE SERVICE SUCKS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10095789

36,104 miles · Sep 22, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A DARK ROAD. IT WAS TOWED, AND DEALER DISCOVERED THAT FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE. MANUFACTURER STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS. HOWEVER, MECHANIC CLAIMED THESE VEHICLES WERE PRONE FOR FUEL PUMP FAILURE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10094059

20,900 miles · Jul 26, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 70 MPH. WHEN THIS OCCURRED VEHICLE SPEED ACCELERATED TO 90 MPH. CONSUMER HAD TO STICK FOOT UNDERNEATH THE PEDAL AND LIFT IT UP, AND THEN PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL TO STOP THE ACCELERATION. *AK *LA

NHTSA ODI #10061664

28,350 miles · Jun 7, 2004
Tires

CONCERN WITH PIRELLI TIRE MODEL P235/45R17-PIRELLI P6.- I HAVE A TOTAL OF 28,000 MILES ON AN AUDI A4. I HAVE HAD TWO BLOWOUTS AND THREE TIRES THAT HAVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SPECIFICALLY, THE SIDEWALLS OF THE TIRES BUBBLE OUT IN WEAK SPOTS. LAST WEEK MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND GOT A FLAT ON THE SIDEWALL, AND I NOTICED WHEN…

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CONCERN WITH PIRELLI TIRE MODEL P235/45R17-PIRELLI P6.- I HAVE A TOTAL OF 28,000 MILES ON AN AUDI A4. I HAVE HAD TWO BLOWOUTS AND THREE TIRES THAT HAVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SPECIFICALLY, THE SIDEWALLS OF THE TIRES BUBBLE OUT IN WEAK SPOTS. LAST WEEK MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND GOT A FLAT ON THE SIDEWALL, AND I NOTICED WHEN FIXING HER TIRE THAT NOW ANOTHER ONE OF THE TIRES HAS A BUBBLE. I WILL ONCE AGAIN HAVE TO REPLACE TWO TIRES. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF A VEHICLE.*AK I AM NOT A HIGH PERFORMANCE DRIVER. I DRIVE FOR WORK AND FAMILY RELATED MATTERS ONLY SO THIS PROBLEM IS NOT RELATED TO EXCESSIVE DRIVING SPEEDS OR HARSH HANDLING. I AM FOLLOWING THIS COMPLAINT WITH A COMPLAINT DIRECTLY TO PIRELLI AND TO AUDI OF AMERICA. IF DESIRED I CAN FORWARD A DIGITAL PHOTO OF THE TYPICAL BUBBLE. BRUCE HENDEE

NHTSA ODI #10074961

1,874 miles · Jun 4, 2004
Tires

THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT FRONT TIRE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE HAD A BUBBLE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, THEY INDICATED THAT THIS TIRE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. *AK (PIRELLI P6 FOUR SEASON TIRES) *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10067089

Mileage unknown · May 28, 2004
Air BagsCrash

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. WITHOUT ANY INDICATION, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY; HOWEVER, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10074432

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2004
SteeringCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THIS CAUSED A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES . DRIVER WENT TO HOSPITAL THE NEXT DAY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10072101

7,000 miles · Mar 26, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicVisibility

VEHICLE COMES EQUIPPED WITH A SPORTS RIM THAT LEAVES THE BRAKE ROTORS EXPOSED TO ICE AND SNOW. IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT WARMED UP FOR 10 MINUTES THERE IS A GLAZE OF ICE ON THE ROTORS. THIS CAUSES BRAKE FAILURE, AND RESULTS IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND INDICATED THAT THE BRAKES WER…

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VEHICLE COMES EQUIPPED WITH A SPORTS RIM THAT LEAVES THE BRAKE ROTORS EXPOSED TO ICE AND SNOW. IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT WARMED UP FOR 10 MINUTES THERE IS A GLAZE OF ICE ON THE ROTORS. THIS CAUSES BRAKE FAILURE, AND RESULTS IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND INDICATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE FINE. ALSO, AT 70 MPH THE WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP FAILED TO FUNCTION. THIS WAS DUE TO SALT IN THE ROAD WHICH CAUSED THE WASHER TO SEIZE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10064961

17,000 miles · Mar 25, 2004
Electrical System

IN 1/04, DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS ONE EVENING, MY '03 1.8T A4 BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY AS I BEGAN ACCELERATED FROM A STOP SIGN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF POWER AND COULDN'T ACCELERATE WELL. THE DEALER STATED THAT I BLEW AN IGNITION COIL. NOT 2 MONTHS LATER, IN EARLY 3/04, THE SAME …

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IN 1/04, DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS ONE EVENING, MY '03 1.8T A4 BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY AS I BEGAN ACCELERATED FROM A STOP SIGN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF POWER AND COULDN'T ACCELERATE WELL. THE DEALER STATED THAT I BLEW AN IGNITION COIL. NOT 2 MONTHS LATER, IN EARLY 3/04, THE SAME EXACT SITUATION OCCURED AND I HAD TO HAVE ANOTHER IGNITION COIL REPLACED. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THE MFR HAD A PRODUCT RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, HOWEVER MY VEHICLE'S COMPONENTS ARE NOT COVERED BY THOSE UNDER RECALL. I WAS TOLD I HAVE THE "NEWER" VERSIONS OF THE IGITION COILS ALREADY IN MY CAR. WHILE THEY MIGHT BE NEWER, THEY SURE HAVEN'T SOLVED THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM! TWO BLOWN IGITION COILS IN LESS THAN 2 MONTHS AND I CAN'T GET THE MFR TO REPLACE THE OTHER 2 COILS THAT I'M CERTAIN WILL GO OUT AT SOME POINT SOON TOO.

NHTSA ODI #10063868

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2004
Fuel System, Other

I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 AUDI A4 (3.0 ) ON A HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH. TIME - 11:30 PM ON SAT.,MARCH 13. THERE WAS A SUDDEN POWER FAILURE: ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND THE HEADLIGHTS AND POWER SEERING WENT OUT. I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER - PALISADES AUDI IN ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY.…

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 AUDI A4 (3.0 ) ON A HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH. TIME - 11:30 PM ON SAT.,MARCH 13. THERE WAS A SUDDEN POWER FAILURE: ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND THE HEADLIGHTS AND POWER SEERING WENT OUT. I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER - PALISADES AUDI IN ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE DEPT AT PALISADES AUDI, THE CAUSE OF THIS DISASTEROUS FAILURE WAS A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP. I FEEL LUCKY TO BE ALIVE AFTER WHAT HAD HAPPENED WITH MY CAR ON THE NIGHT OF 3/13/04.

NHTSA ODI #10062484

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.