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
What owners actually said
210 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2014
EnginePower Train
I HAD A NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN THE AUDI AND AFTER A YEAR THE TRANSMISSION REVERSE MODE FAILED. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP WHICH REPAIRED THE CAR AND FOUND THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THE PART WHICH WAS NEEDED FOR THE CAR. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE AUDI DEALERSHIP THEY REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THE NEW PART A…
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I HAD A NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN THE AUDI AND AFTER A YEAR THE TRANSMISSION REVERSE MODE FAILED. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP WHICH REPAIRED THE CAR AND FOUND THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THE PART WHICH WAS NEEDED FOR THE CAR. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE AUDI DEALERSHIP THEY REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THE NEW PART AN ADDITIONAL $2700. I WAS TOLD THAT I WAS NOT THE OWNER OF THE CAR AND THEY HAD NO INFORMATION ON FILE ABOUT ME HOWEVER I HAD REPEATEDLY BEEN IN PERSONALLY TO ASK ABOUT THE CAR AND ANY RECALLS AFTER REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO THEY HAD MY EMAIL ADDRESS. I WAS THEN TOLD I WAS SIX MONTHS TOO LATE AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I TRIED TO CALL AUDI CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE HEADQUARTERS AND ONLY GOT THE RUN AROUND. IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PART THE AUDI DEALERSHIP AND AUDI HEADQUARTERS SHOULD HAVE HONORED THIS AND REPLACED THE PART. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10605973
159,000 miles · Jun 7, 2014
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY CAR STALLED. HAD TO GET IT TOWED HOME AND IT WILL NO LONGER START BUT IT REVS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10596832
75,000 miles · May 10, 2014
Air Bags
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK CAR INTO AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT IS A WIRING PROBLEM AND THE FRONT SEAT NEEDS TO BE REMOVED TO MAKE THE REPAIRS. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND WAS SHOCKED TO SEE MANY REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. EVEN MORE SHOCKING IS THAT AUDI SELLS A REPAIR KIT FOR $60-$70 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. SO AUDI…
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AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK CAR INTO AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT IS A WIRING PROBLEM AND THE FRONT SEAT NEEDS TO BE REMOVED TO MAKE THE REPAIRS. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND WAS SHOCKED TO SEE MANY REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. EVEN MORE SHOCKING IS THAT AUDI SELLS A REPAIR KIT FOR $60-$70 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. SO AUDI MAKES A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT THAT AFFECTS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE AND INSTEAD OF RECALLING THE CARS AND FIXING THE PROBLEM FOR FREE THEY SELL A REPAIR KIT AND PROFIT FROM THEIR NEGLIGENCE. HOPE THE GOVERNMENT WILL REMEDY THIS SITUATION. IF YOU SEARCH THIS MODEL AND YEAR CAR YOU WILL SEE IT HAS A KNOWN TIMING BELT DEFECT, A KNOWN OIL PROBLEM, PLUS THE CAR IS DEFECTIVE IN OH SO MANY PARTS. HELLO NATIONAL SAFETY TRANSPORTATION BOARD- WAKE UP! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10587581
138,000 miles · Sep 26, 2013
Air Bags
MY AUDI WOULD NOT START. HAD CAR TOWED TO CAR REPAIR SHOP NEAR. THE REPAIR SHOP CHARGED MY BATTERY AND IT STARTED PROMPTLY. MECHANIC LEFT ENGINE RUNNING FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS A LOUD BOOOOM, IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT. SMOKE IMMEDIATELY STARTED COMING FROM THE CABIN OF THE CAR. THE AIRBAGS (DRIVER AND PASS…
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MY AUDI WOULD NOT START. HAD CAR TOWED TO CAR REPAIR SHOP NEAR. THE REPAIR SHOP CHARGED MY BATTERY AND IT STARTED PROMPTLY. MECHANIC LEFT ENGINE RUNNING FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS A LOUD BOOOOM, IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT. SMOKE IMMEDIATELY STARTED COMING FROM THE CABIN OF THE CAR. THE AIRBAGS (DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE) HAD DEPLOYED WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED AND ENGINE RUNNING... NO IMPACT. I FILMED THE IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH OF THE EXPLOSION...THE VIDEO IS HERE HTTP://YOUTU.BE/WBCNXZAYGP0 I CALLED AUDI AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO JIM ELLIS AUDI (ATLANTA). THEY "RESEARCHED THE ISSUE" AND SENT THEIR FINDINGS TO AUDI NORTH AMERICA WHO ARE SAYING THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX CAR DUE TO CORROSION IN THE AIRBAG MODULE. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN FLOOD DAMAGED AND I HAVE NOT MADE A HABIT OF LEAVING SUN ROOF OPEN SO THAT THE INTERIOR IS DRENCHED IN WATER CAUSING ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THIS AS A MATTER OF POOR DESIGN AND AUDI IS SHIRKING THEIR RESPONSIBILITY OF DESIGNING CERTAIN COMPONENTS SAFELY (I.E. NO RISK OF CORROSION) SO THAT AIRBAGS DO NOT DEPLOY BY THEMSELVES. I COULD HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 80 AND CRASHED INTO A WALL OR A SEMI-TRUCK HAD THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING. MANY OTHER PEOPLES LIVES COULD BE AT RISK DUE TO THIS VERY ISSUE. I WAS FORTUNATE. THIS IS A MATTER OF PRINCIPAL AND AUDI SHOULD DESIGN THEIR CARS BETTER ESPECIALLY FOR COMPONENTS THAT HAVE LIFE AND DEATH IMPLICATIONS. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10545592
Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System
RE: AUDI A4 - AUDI-USA CASE NUMBER: [XXX]- 7/13/2013 - 3:20 PM SPOKE WITH [XXX] ABOUT THIS ISSUE, HE TRANSFERRED ME OVER TO ANOTHER EXPERT - CURRENTLY MUSIC IS ON AND I AM ON HOLD TILL 3:29PM - A LADY NAME, [XXX], WHO BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THEY CANNOT HELP ME WITH. THE CALL ENDED AT 3:48 PM. THEIR ARGUME…
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RE: AUDI A4 - AUDI-USA CASE NUMBER: [XXX]- 7/13/2013 - 3:20 PM SPOKE WITH [XXX] ABOUT THIS ISSUE, HE TRANSFERRED ME OVER TO ANOTHER EXPERT - CURRENTLY MUSIC IS ON AND I AM ON HOLD TILL 3:29PM - A LADY NAME, [XXX], WHO BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THEY CANNOT HELP ME WITH. THE CALL ENDED AT 3:48 PM. THEIR ARGUMENT FOR NOT REIMBURSING ME FOR MY EXPENSE WAS LAME AND ONE OF NOT ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY, HOWEVER, LEGALLY, THEY WERE ON THE CORRECT SIDE IN SAYING NO, AS WHEN THIS ISSUE WAS IDENTIFIED FOR THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND YEAR OF AUDI A4, MY CAR'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED AS ONE THAT WAS AFFECTED. THEY WERE HOWEVER, NOT HELPFUL IN CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT, THE ISSUE THAT WAS IDENTIFIED FOR SOME VEHICLES FOR THE SAME MAKE MODEL AND YEAR, WAS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE FOR MY MAKE MODEL AND YEAR. AUDI, HOWEVER, LET ME KNOW THAT THEY WILL NOT HELP ME WITH THE REIMBURSEMENT OF MY EXPENSES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10524680
60,000 miles · May 22, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE ENGINE RPMS CONTINUED TO RACE AS THE ENGINE ROARED LOUDLY. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND LATER RETURNED TO RESTART THE ENGINE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE ENGINE RPMS CONTINUED TO RACE AS THE ENGINE ROARED LOUDLY. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND LATER RETURNED TO RESTART THE ENGINE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FLOOR MAT HAD BECOME LODGED UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CAUSING THE FAILURE. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10513149
116,000 miles · May 20, 2013
Fuel System, GasolineFuel/propulsion System
FUEL PUMP IS NO LONGER WORKING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10512885
105,000 miles · Feb 6, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System
THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR AREA OF MY VEHICLE. WHEN I GOT IN MY VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A HIGH PITCHED NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK SEAT AREA. WHEN I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC HE SAID THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS GOING AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR RAN OK AND THE NOISE WENT AWAY WHEN THE WEATHER WAS…
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THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR AREA OF MY VEHICLE. WHEN I GOT IN MY VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A HIGH PITCHED NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK SEAT AREA. WHEN I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC HE SAID THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS GOING AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR RAN OK AND THE NOISE WENT AWAY WHEN THE WEATHER WAS WARMER BUT HAS RECENTLY RETURNED WITH THE COOLER WEATHER. I LOOKED ONLINE AND SAW A TECHNICAL BULLETIN/RECALL FOR MY MAKE AND MODEL. WHEN I DUG DEEPER INTO THE ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS I FOUND MY VIN NUMBER MATCHED THE NUMBERS IN THE DOCUMENTS. AUDI SAID THEY HAD NO RECORDS OF THIS (ALTHOUGH THEY WERE ON AUDI LETTERHEAD) AND SAID I COULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALER BUT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC. THIS DOES NOT MATCH WHAT IS WRITTEN IN THE RECALL NOTICE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10496622
117,000 miles · Feb 6, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT STATED OWNS A 2003 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THERE WAS A HIGH-PITCHED NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP MAY HAVE BEEN INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC TO INSPECT THE FAILURE WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FUEL PUM…
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TL* THE CONTACT STATED OWNS A 2003 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THERE WAS A HIGH-PITCHED NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP MAY HAVE BEEN INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC TO INSPECT THE FAILURE WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FUEL PUMP ON HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
NHTSA ODI #10496616
111,140 miles · Sep 9, 2012
Power Train
THE CAR HAD STARTED TO HAVE THE PRND FLASH, BUT IT KEPT RUNNING GOOD. ON SATURDAY I DROVE AROUND 20 MILES AND PARKED ON A SMALL ANGLED ROAD I TURNED THE CAR OFF. WHEN I TURNED IT ON AGAIN I PUT IT ON REVERSE WHICH DIDN'T ENGAGE AND STARTED TO GO DOWN ALMOST CRASHING INTO A WALL. I HAD TO GET OUT AND PUSH THE CAR. *TR
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).
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.
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.
2003 Audi A4 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year