AUDI A6 · model year

2003 AUDI A6

85 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003AUDIA6 carries 85 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 7 fires, 1 injury, 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 A6 is electrical system with 10 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline (10) and power train:automatic transmission (5). 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 7 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 A6. 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.

85
Complaints
1
Crashes
7
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

85 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE10
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION5
TIRES:SIDEWALL5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP4
POWER TRAIN4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY3
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC3
ENGINE3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)2
STEERING2
SUSPENSION2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2

Recalls (7)

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.

04V13300018/03/2004

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, IF A DRIVER'S KNEES PUSH AGAINST THE KNEE BOLSTER (CRASH ELEMENT) LOCATED UNDER THE DASHBOARD, IT CAN CONTACT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WIRING HARNESS, AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD OCCUR.

02V27500009/10/2002

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3-SPOKE SPORT STEERING WHEELS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE IGNITER FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ASSEMBLED.

08V15700008/04/2008

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 68,240 MY 2001-2004 AUDI A6 QUATTRO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.7L, 2.8L, OR 3.0L ENGINES AND MY 2001-2005 ALLROAD QUATTRO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.7L OR 4.2L ENGINES. THE AGING OF THE PLASTIC MATERIAL IN THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE COMBINED WITH BENDING STRESS FROM THE ALUMIN

06V19800005/06/2006

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HALOGEN LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS, CERTAIN CONNECTOR PINS IN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CONNECTOR COME INTO CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT. NOTE: VEHICLES WITH XENON LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT AFFECTED BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT IN THESE VEHICLES CONTAIN

11V26700003/05/2011

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 AUDI A6, MODEL YEAR 2002-2003 S6 AND MODEL YEAR 2003 RS6 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.2L ENGINES AND MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 19, 2001, THROUGH JUNE 8, 2004. THE AGING OF THE PLASTIC MATERIAL IN THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE COMBINED WITH BENDING STRESS

Recent Complaints

20210331FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE GAS TANK OR COMPONENTS OF THE TANK ARE LEAKING GAS WHEN MORE THAN A SMALL AMOUNT OF GAS IS PUT INTO THE TANK. GAS LEAKS ALL OVER THE GROUND FROM THE TANK AND THE CABIN FILLS WITH GAS FUMES. MY 18 SON HAS BEEN DRIVING THIS CAR AND I WILL NOT ALLOW HIM OR ANYONE ELSE TO DRIVE THE CAR NOW. AFTER READING ONLINE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM, I AM SHOCKED THAT THIS IS NOT A RECALL WHEN IT COULD BE POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING AND THAT AUDI WANTS TO CHARGE 3K TO LOWER THE TANK AND REPAIR.

Mileage: 150,000

20180508ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI A6. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.

Mileage: 149,000

20180125ENGINE

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 149,000

20170711FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS EMISSIONS TESTING. AUDI DETERMINED THAT IT WAS DUE TO A FUEL LEAK FROM A CRACK IN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR ROLLOVER VALVE. VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECALLED IN PAST FOR SIMILAR ISSUE (PERFORMED). TANK HAS 4 ROLLOVER VALVES, ONLY ONE (FRONT DRIVER) INCLUDED IN PRIOR RECALL. INITIAL QUOTED $3,300 TO REPLACE TANK. AUDI OFFERED TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT TANK WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ~$600 (REPAIR ORDER ATTACHED). REPAIR COMPLETED ON 2/23/2017, CAR PASSES STATE INSPECTION. AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE "STAINING" IN THE ATTACHED PHOTO, THE LEAK WAS SIGNIFICANT DEALER THEN CALLS TO SAY THAT CAR NEEDS TO BE RETURNED TO PERFORM PRIOR RECALL ON THE NEWLY INSTALLED TANK. RECALL TO BE PERFORMED ON ONLY THE ONE ROLLOVER VALVE (DRIVER FRONT) THAT CAN BE ACCESSED WITH OUT REMOVING FUEL TANK. NOT THE VALVE THAT WAS LEAKING AND NECESSITATED THE REPLACEMENT. I REQUESTED THAT AUDI PERFORM RECALL ON ALL 4 ROLLOVER VALVES AS THEY INSTALLED A KNOWINGLY DEFECTIVE PART AND THE

Mileage: 108,789

20170512STEERING

I WAS DRIVING IN LIGHT RAIN AND SAW A SMALL PUDDLE OF WATER AHEAD SO I SLOWED DOWN AND WENT THROUGH IT AT 10MPH, ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND IS STUCK GOING RIGHT, GRINDING NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT DRIVERS WHEEL. I SOMEHOW MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICAL TO A FIRE STATION AND PARK IT THERE AFTER 30M AND ONLY GOING 20FT THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WHILE I'M PRESSING THE GAS PEDDLE THE HORRIBLE GRINDING NOISE COMES BACK AND THE CAR GOES NO WHERE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE.

Mileage: 137,000

20170512SUSPENSION

I WAS DRIVING IN LIGHT RAIN AND SAW A SMALL PUDDLE OF WATER AHEAD SO I SLOWED DOWN AND WENT THROUGH IT AT 10MPH, ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND IS STUCK GOING RIGHT, GRINDING NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT DRIVERS WHEEL. I SOMEHOW MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICAL TO A FIRE STATION AND PARK IT THERE AFTER 30M AND ONLY GOING 20FT THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WHILE I'M PRESSING THE GAS PEDDLE THE HORRIBLE GRINDING NOISE COMES BACK AND THE CAR GOES NO WHERE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE.

Mileage: 137,000

20170402UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY.

Mileage: 84,600

20161130FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI A6. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A PUDDLE OF FUEL IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROLLOVER VALVE HAD A CRACK, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER A RECALL, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE RECALL INFORMATION WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.

Mileage: 180,000

20141017FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

I HAVE 2003 AUDI A6 QUATTRO 4.2 L. I HAD IN SHOP FOR REAR BRAKES AND MECHANIC NOTED FUEL LEAKING/DRIPPING FROM FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF PLASTIC FUEL TANK. I DID INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND RECALL CAMPAIGN 11V267000 AND MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING SIMILAR LEAKS. I VERIFIED MANUFACTURE DATE 4/3/(2002 OR 2003?) FROM VEHICLE WHICH FALLS IN WINDOW COVERED BY RECALL OF UNITS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 19, 2001 THROUGH JUNE 8, 2004. I CONTACTED AUDI AMERICA AND EVENTUALLY SPOKE WITH XXXX AT [XXX]. SHE ASSURED ME THAT MY CAR WAS EITHER NOT SUBJECT TO THE RECALL OR HAD BEEN FIXED. I TOLD HER I WAS THE OWNER OF THE CAR AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL ( MAY 2011) AND MY CAR HAD NOT BEEN FIXED. SHE ROBOTICALLY REPEATED THAT MY CAR HAD EITHER BEEN FIXED OR NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I ASKED HER TO VERIFY THAT IT HAD BEEN FIXED AND SHE SAID THEY HAVE NO RECORDS TO SHOW THAT. SHE SAID I COULD CONTACT THE DEALER THAT ORIGINALLY SOLD THE CAR. I SAID WHY WOULD A DEALER IN WISCONSIN WHO SOLD THE CAR IN 2003 HAVE ANY RE

Mileage: 150,000

20141010POWER TRAIN

FAILED CT EMISSIONS TEST. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. CONFIRMED CODE TO BE P0741. INFORMED BY AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. *TR

Mileage: 120,120

20141010ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FAILED CT EMISSIONS TEST. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. CONFIRMED CODE TO BE P0741. INFORMED BY AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. *TR

Mileage: 120,120

20140828FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

AT TIMES WHEN DRIVING THE CAR THE ACCELERATION BECOMES SLOW AND IT STALLS WITH A JERK LIKE IT'S GOING TO JUST STOP ALSO, WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN REVERSE GEAR IT WILL NOT MOVE. I AM STUCK. THE PRND FLASHING ON THE DASHBOARD. I BECOME AFRAID BECAUSE THIS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS.

20140828ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

AT TIMES WHEN DRIVING THE CAR THE ACCELERATION BECOMES SLOW AND IT STALLS WITH A JERK LIKE IT'S GOING TO JUST STOP ALSO, WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN REVERSE GEAR IT WILL NOT MOVE. I AM STUCK. THE PRND FLASHING ON THE DASHBOARD. I BECOME AFRAID BECAUSE THIS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS.

20140828ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AT TIMES WHEN DRIVING THE CAR THE ACCELERATION BECOMES SLOW AND IT STALLS WITH A JERK LIKE IT'S GOING TO JUST STOP ALSO, WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN REVERSE GEAR IT WILL NOT MOVE. I AM STUCK. THE PRND FLASHING ON THE DASHBOARD. I BECOME AFRAID BECAUSE THIS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS.

20140625FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO RESET THE CODES BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE COMPLARTMENT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FIRE HAD CONSUMED AND BURNED THROUGH THE HOOD AROUND TO THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NO INJURIES HAD BEEN SUSTAINED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V267000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER), NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V375000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID

Mileage: 87,434

20130826FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE FIRE STARTED UNDER DASHBOARD AS I WAS DRIVING. I STOPPED THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND QUICKLY JUMPED OUT THE CAR WHEN SAW A FLAME. THIS WAS THE MOST FREIGHTING EXPERIENCE IN MY LIFE. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

20130515FireENGINE

ON MAY 3, 2013, I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 10MPH. SUDDENLY, I BEGAN SMELLING SMOKE. I THOUGHT THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM NEARBY TRUCKS. HOWEVER, SOON AFTER, SMOKE WAS PROFUSELY COMING THROUGH MY GLOVE COMPARTMENT. I PULLED OVER, TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND EXITED THE CAR. ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER, THIS VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES, BEGINNING WITH THE HOOD! THE WIND SHIELD THEN SHATTERED APPROXIMATELY 3 MINUTES LATER. BY THIS TIME, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND BATTLED THE FIRE APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS SIGN THAT CAR SERVICE WAS NECESSARY. FURTHERMORE, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER AND DMV, 3 MONTHS AGO, THERE WAS A CLEAN EMISSIONS AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. *TR

Mileage: 124,000

20130515FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON MAY 3, 2013, I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 10MPH. SUDDENLY, I BEGAN SMELLING SMOKE. I THOUGHT THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM NEARBY TRUCKS. HOWEVER, SOON AFTER, SMOKE WAS PROFUSELY COMING THROUGH MY GLOVE COMPARTMENT. I PULLED OVER, TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND EXITED THE CAR. ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER, THIS VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES, BEGINNING WITH THE HOOD! THE WIND SHIELD THEN SHATTERED APPROXIMATELY 3 MINUTES LATER. BY THIS TIME, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND BATTLED THE FIRE APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS SIGN THAT CAR SERVICE WAS NECESSARY. FURTHERMORE, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER AND DMV, 3 MONTHS AGO, THERE WAS A CLEAN EMISSIONS AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. *TR

Mileage: 124,000

20121104POWER TRAIN

TORQUE CONVERTER DISENGAGES AND POWER / RPM SURGE OCCURS. *TR

Mileage: 125,000

20121009SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

CAR BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON ALL THE TIME AND IT REVES ALL THE TIME. *TR

Compare 2003AUDIA6 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 AUDI A6 have?
The 2003 AUDI A6 has 85 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 7 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 AUDI A6?
Yes, the 2003 AUDI A6 has 7 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 A6?
The most-complained component for the 2003 AUDI A6 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 10 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Is the 2003 AUDI A6 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.