AUDI A4 · model year

2003 AUDI A4

282 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003AUDIA4 carries 282 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 11 crashes, 14 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 A4 is fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump with 27 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (18) and power train (18). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2003 A4. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

282
Complaints
11
Crashes
14
Fires
14
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

282 filings

Crashes Reported

11 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP27
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION18
POWER TRAIN18
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM18
EXTERIOR LIGHTING18
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE15
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL15
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION12
AIR BAGS10
STRUCTURE9
VISIBILITY8
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL7
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM7
ENGINE7

Recalls (4)

07V37500028/08/2007

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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.

06V01700023/01/2006

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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.

05V09600015/03/2005

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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.

14E00700007/03/2014

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/s

Recent Complaints

20241011ENGINE

Crank case ventilation hose breaks and engine runs poorly part#06C103235B

20230103ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Water pump failed inside lights sometimes work and signal lights aren’t accurate

20230103AIR BAGS

Water pump failed inside lights sometimes work and signal lights aren’t accurate

20230103EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Water pump failed inside lights sometimes work and signal lights aren’t accurate

20221126ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Radio intermediate goes out hitting bumps speedometer stopped working the number ninth digit is not pulling up when I search vehicle information Replaced engine vehicle only had 20,000 miles

20221006ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2003 Audi A4. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle decelerated, lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart and there was steam coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence where an independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the vehicle had experienced a similar failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14E007000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and notified of the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was necessary to check for recalls. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available.

Mileage: 100,000

20220305ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Left turn signal works fine. Right turn signal alternates between flashing left and right.

20220106FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2003 Audi A4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a fuel odor was detected. The contact parked the vehicle and noticed there was fuel leaking on the rear driver's side. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the fuel pump flange and hoses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they would cover the part replacement. The failure mileage was 143,839.

Mileage: 143,839

20211006FireENGINE

The coolant light came on after I replaced coil packs and I stopped to look wasn't leaking anywhere. Drove to work and it caught on fire due to overheating I guess not really sure. I was driving a car on fire down a highway and didn't even know it. I stopped to take a left turn into work and smoke stared billowing out and around the entire car. Other drivers couldn't see me or nothing I could have been in an accident. The fire department checked the car out sort of and it's in a mechanics shop now. Trying to figure it out. Oil light was on and that's it. AN then the coolant light would kick on and off. Nothing else after I changed the coil packs. And it was well after I did that.

20211006FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The coolant light came on after I replaced coil packs and I stopped to look wasn't leaking anywhere. Drove to work and it caught on fire due to overheating I guess not really sure. I was driving a car on fire down a highway and didn't even know it. I stopped to take a left turn into work and smoke stared billowing out and around the entire car. Other drivers couldn't see me or nothing I could have been in an accident. The fire department checked the car out sort of and it's in a mechanics shop now. Trying to figure it out. Oil light was on and that's it. AN then the coolant light would kick on and off. Nothing else after I changed the coil packs. And it was well after I did that.

20211006FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The coolant light came on after I replaced coil packs and I stopped to look wasn't leaking anywhere. Drove to work and it caught on fire due to overheating I guess not really sure. I was driving a car on fire down a highway and didn't even know it. I stopped to take a left turn into work and smoke stared billowing out and around the entire car. Other drivers couldn't see me or nothing I could have been in an accident. The fire department checked the car out sort of and it's in a mechanics shop now. Trying to figure it out. Oil light was on and that's it. AN then the coolant light would kick on and off. Nothing else after I changed the coil packs. And it was well after I did that.

20200812POWER TRAIN

2003 AUDI A4 3.0 CABRIOLET CONVERTIBLE STARTED SHIFTING ROUGH AND HESITANT AND SHUT OFF, CRANKED BACK UP WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND ALL THE SHIFTING GEAR LIGHTS CAME ON R N D 2 , BARELY MADE IT BACK HOME, PUT CODE READER ON CAR HAD A LOT OF CODES ON IT I RESET CODES BUT RND2 LIGHTS STILL ON , POSSIBLE BAD TCM?

Mileage: 174,400

20200626FireELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

INITIALLY DROVE CAR HOME FROM GROCERY STORE HIT A BUMP AND NOTICED A SPARK COMING FROM FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF CAR. PULLED OVER AND CHECKED FOR SPARK EVIDENT ONCE STOPPED THERE WAS NO SIGN OF SPARK OR ANYTHING. GOT CAR HOME AND PARKED ABOUT AN HOUR LATER MY CAR WAS ON FIRE, AFTER PUTTING THE FIRE OUT MY HUSBAND LIFTED THE HOOD AND TRIED TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE WHEN HE DISCOVERED THE BATTERY WAS MELTED TO THE HOOD AND IS WHERE THE FIRE INITIALLY CAUGHT. THE LOCATION OF THE BATTERY WE BELIEVE TO BE THE ISSUE AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE TO REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY. *TR

Mileage: 199,800

20200626FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

INITIALLY DROVE CAR HOME FROM GROCERY STORE HIT A BUMP AND NOTICED A SPARK COMING FROM FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF CAR. PULLED OVER AND CHECKED FOR SPARK EVIDENT ONCE STOPPED THERE WAS NO SIGN OF SPARK OR ANYTHING. GOT CAR HOME AND PARKED ABOUT AN HOUR LATER MY CAR WAS ON FIRE, AFTER PUTTING THE FIRE OUT MY HUSBAND LIFTED THE HOOD AND TRIED TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE WHEN HE DISCOVERED THE BATTERY WAS MELTED TO THE HOOD AND IS WHERE THE FIRE INITIALLY CAUGHT. THE LOCATION OF THE BATTERY WE BELIEVE TO BE THE ISSUE AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE TO REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY. *TR

Mileage: 199,800

20190528POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF DRIVE WHILE DRIVING INTO LIKE NEUTRAL AND WHEN I ACCELERATE THE CAR DOES NOT MOVE AND COMES TO A FULL STOP AND I HAVE TO STOP AND TURN THE CAR ON AND OFF TILL IT WORKS AGAIN

20190202POWER TRAIN

ON JANUARY 28, 2019 I WAS DRIVING TO MY MEDICAL APPOINTMENT AT 35 MILES PER HOUR WHEN MY CAR FROZE UP THEN BUCKED AND NOW NO LONGER THE TRANSMISSION WILL NO LONGER ENGAGE. UPON RESEARCH AUDI HAS KNOWN OF THIS TRANSMISSION HAVING SERIOUS FAULTS AND THAT IT WILL BREAK DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. AUDI HAS REFUSED TO DO ANY RECALL ON THESE TRANSMISSIONS, EVEN AFTER A CLASS ACTION THAT WAS SETTLED, AUDI WILL NOT DO ANY RECALL.

Mileage: 145,000

20190202VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON JANUARY 28, 2019 I WAS DRIVING TO MY MEDICAL APPOINTMENT AT 35 MILES PER HOUR WHEN MY CAR FROZE UP THEN BUCKED AND NOW NO LONGER THE TRANSMISSION WILL NO LONGER ENGAGE. UPON RESEARCH AUDI HAS KNOWN OF THIS TRANSMISSION HAVING SERIOUS FAULTS AND THAT IT WILL BREAK DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. AUDI HAS REFUSED TO DO ANY RECALL ON THESE TRANSMISSIONS, EVEN AFTER A CLASS ACTION THAT WAS SETTLED, AUDI WILL NOT DO ANY RECALL.

Mileage: 145,000

20181119FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THERE SEEMS TO BE A FUEL PUMP OR OTHER ISSUE ALONG THE FUEL LINE. RECENTLY, THE GAS CAP INDICATOR HAS GONE OFF, AND WON'T TURN OFF. I EVEN TRIED REPLACING THE GAS CAP WITH A NEW ONE. I CHECKED FOR LOOSE PARTS ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK (THROUGH THE TRUNK). NO VISIBLE ISSUES, BUT I DO SMELL GASOLINE ON HUMID DAYS, THERE IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE ALONG THE FUEL LINE. I NOTICED THERE WERE RECALLS BY AUDI FOR DIFFERENT VINS (NOT MINE), THAT HIGHLIGHT ISSUES WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM AND FUEL PUMP - RECALL NUMBER 06V017000 (01/23/2006), AND 07V375000 (08/28/2007) (OTHERS?). I'VE TRIED CALLING AUDI TO SEE IF THEY'D BE WILLING TO INVESTIGATE WHETHER A BROADER NUMBER OF VINS NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL (INCLUDING MINE), AND THEY REFUSED TO COVER COSTS TO LOOK INTO IT.

20180902POWER TRAIN

THE CONSTANTLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (CVT) OF MY 2003 AUDI A4 CABRIOLET 1.8T WITH JUST 86,000 MILES ON IT IS FAULTY, AND HAS CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO STALL OUT ON FOUR OCCASIONS, TWICE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND WHILE PARKING, AND TWICE WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE WHILE ACCELERATING AT A SPEED OF 35 AND 60 MPH, ON A CITY ROAD AND ONCE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO THE INTERSTATE. THE VEHICLE MUST BE RESTARTED TO DRIVE, AND HAS JUST BARELY SPUTTERED BACK TO LIFE IN MY FOUR EXPERIENCES SO FAR. AUDI IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND HAS SETTLED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN THE PAST, ALTHOUGH THE SETTLEMENT EXPIRED MORE THAN TWO YEARS AGO LEAVING OWNERS LIKE MYSELF ON THE HOOK FOR COSTLY REPAIRS, AND LEFT WITH AN UNSAFE VEHICLE IN THE MEAN TIME. AUDI SHOULD RECALL ALL AUDI A4 1.8T CVT TRANSMISSIONS FROM 2003 TO 2006 AND PERMENTANTLY SOLVE THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED.

Mileage: 86,500

20180819ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

TAMARA RECALL MY CAR WOULDNT START KEEP GETTING STEER WHEEL HARD TO DRIVE SHIFTS TO GEAR GET STUCK

Mileage: 141,379

Compare 2003AUDIA4 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 AUDI A4 have?
The 2003 AUDI A4 has 282 NHTSA complaints, 11 crashes, 14 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 AUDI A4?
Yes, the 2003 AUDI A4 has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 AUDI A4?
The most-complained component for the 2003 AUDI A4 is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP with 27 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2003 AUDI A4 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.