AUDI ALLROAD · model year

2003 AUDI ALLROAD

18 NHTSA complaints, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003AUDIALLROAD carries 18 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 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 ALLROAD is electrical system: instrument cluster/panel with 3 filings, followed by power train (3) and power train:automatic transmission (1). 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 3 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 ALLROAD. 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.

18
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

18 filings

Crashes Reported

0 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 SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL3
POWER TRAIN3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
TIRES:TREAD/BELT1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION1
STRUCTURE1
SUSPENSION:FRONT1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT1
WHEELS1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1

Recalls (3)

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.

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

Recent Complaints

20211218STRUCTURE:BODY

During recent heavy rains, all of a sudden the car's transmission that had been working fine, after having been parked briefly pointing slightly down hill, no longer functioned properly, and had apparently gone into "LIMP Mode". after talking with Mechanics and doing research, we checked the carpet areas and determined and documented the car's interior was very wet, both in front and in the rear areas, with evident moisture and corrosion under the battery and cabin air filter areas and rear wheel well area. The Transmission no longer shifts properly and the car is not able to be safely driven. Apparently there is a well known design flaw in the Audi C5 A6 vehicles where multiple drains frequently fail. apparently there are 2 very hard to access drains under the battery, under the battery tray, and also the cabin air filter seal to the sidewall is prone to failure. I'm told that there is a "soft" NTSB Audi Recall on this. Please advise.

20211218ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

During recent heavy rains, all of a sudden the car's transmission that had been working fine, after having been parked briefly pointing slightly down hill, no longer functioned properly, and had apparently gone into "LIMP Mode". after talking with Mechanics and doing research, we checked the carpet areas and determined and documented the car's interior was very wet, both in front and in the rear areas, with evident moisture and corrosion under the battery and cabin air filter areas and rear wheel well area. The Transmission no longer shifts properly and the car is not able to be safely driven. Apparently there is a well known design flaw in the Audi C5 A6 vehicles where multiple drains frequently fail. apparently there are 2 very hard to access drains under the battery, under the battery tray, and also the cabin air filter seal to the sidewall is prone to failure. I'm told that there is a "soft" NTSB Audi Recall on this. Please advise.

20211218POWER TRAIN

During recent heavy rains, all of a sudden the car's transmission that had been working fine, after having been parked briefly pointing slightly down hill, no longer functioned properly, and had apparently gone into "LIMP Mode". after talking with Mechanics and doing research, we checked the carpet areas and determined and documented the car's interior was very wet, both in front and in the rear areas, with evident moisture and corrosion under the battery and cabin air filter areas and rear wheel well area. The Transmission no longer shifts properly and the car is not able to be safely driven. Apparently there is a well known design flaw in the Audi C5 A6 vehicles where multiple drains frequently fail. apparently there are 2 very hard to access drains under the battery, under the battery tray, and also the cabin air filter seal to the sidewall is prone to failure. I'm told that there is a "soft" NTSB Audi Recall on this. Please advise.

20211023POWER TRAIN

please see prior form submission re transmission...please confirm receipt of earlier entry.

20210218AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI ALLROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING CLOCK SPRING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000.

Mileage: 135,000

20150918FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE FUEL TANK HAS DEVELOPED A LEAK ON ITS OWN. I FILLED MY CAR THE THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2015. ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2015 THE FUEL GAUGE WAS DOWN A QUARTER TANK. I SMELLED GAS OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. MY MECHANIC TELLS ME THE LEAK IS AT A PLASTIC WELDED NUB ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TANK.THIS IS A PLASTIC FUEL TANK. IF I FILL THE TANK ABOVE THE HALFWAY MARK THIS IS WHEN THE TANK LEAKS. THE CAR IS GOING IN FOR SERVICE ON MONDAY FOR A FUEL TANK REPLACEMENT. I HAVE OPENED CASE NUMBER 150699218 WITH AUDI CORPORATE. THEY WANTED ME TO ALLOW THEM TO TOW THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP AND LET THE DEALER MAKE A DIAGNOSIS. WE WERE DESPERATELY AFRAID THAT THE COST OF THIS WOULD BE EXORBITANT. IT TAKES 10+ HOURS TO GET THE REMOVED AND REINSTALLED. THE TANK IS ABOUT $700.00 WE ARE TRULY AFRAID TO GO TO THE DEALER FOR ANYTHING. WE HAVE AN INDEPENDENT AUDI MECHANIC WE HAVE USED FOR YEARS. AUDI WAS OFFERING TO PAY FOR THE TOW AND THE DIAGNOSIS. WE WERE THINKING AUDI WOULD USE THE EXCUSE OF DISASSEMBLING THE CAR, "FIND T

Mileage: 167,000

20120302POWER TRAIN

2003 AUDI ALL ROAD. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TRANSMISSION, SEAT BELTS AND WHEELS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AT TIMES, THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT REACT TO A SUDDEN DEPRESSION OF THE GAS PEDAL. THE RESULTING DELAY IN ACCELERATION COULD RESULT IN A COLLISION DUE TO THE INABILITY TO MOVE THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. ALSO, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE FLAT TIRES, DUE TO WHEEL CORROSION, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF THE AIR SEAL, BETWEEN THE WHEELS AND TIRES. *JB

20120302SEAT BELTS:FRONT

2003 AUDI ALL ROAD. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TRANSMISSION, SEAT BELTS AND WHEELS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AT TIMES, THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT REACT TO A SUDDEN DEPRESSION OF THE GAS PEDAL. THE RESULTING DELAY IN ACCELERATION COULD RESULT IN A COLLISION DUE TO THE INABILITY TO MOVE THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. ALSO, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE FLAT TIRES, DUE TO WHEEL CORROSION, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF THE AIR SEAL, BETWEEN THE WHEELS AND TIRES. *JB

20120302WHEELS

2003 AUDI ALL ROAD. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TRANSMISSION, SEAT BELTS AND WHEELS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AT TIMES, THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT REACT TO A SUDDEN DEPRESSION OF THE GAS PEDAL. THE RESULTING DELAY IN ACCELERATION COULD RESULT IN A COLLISION DUE TO THE INABILITY TO MOVE THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. ALSO, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE FLAT TIRES, DUE TO WHEEL CORROSION, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF THE AIR SEAL, BETWEEN THE WHEELS AND TIRES. *JB

20101027ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ENGINE OVERHEAT, AUTOMATIC FAN FAILS TO GO ON, THE ENGINE SPILL FUME TO A BLINDING LEVEL WHEN IT BEGINS TO COME FROM BENEATH THE HOOD . HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS SHUT DOWN ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT INCLUDE NEW WATER PUMP NEW RADIATOR NEW AIR CONDITIONING PUMP DID NOT BRING ANY SOLUTION. *TR

Mileage: 106,000

20100217SUSPENSION:FRONT

AIR SUSPENSION FOR AUDI ALLROAD FAILED. ALL AIR WAS VENTED OUT OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WITHOUT WARNING RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHEN CAR HIT A BUMP/DIP IN THE ROAD. CAR SEEMED TO BOUNCE OFF THE FRONT TIRES AND WAS A VIOLENT COMPRESSION AND REBOUND. I MOMENTARILY LOST CONTROL AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED UNTIL PULLING OVER AND DISCOVERED FRONT OF CAR WAS SITTING ON THE TIRES. I RESTARTED CAR AFTER SEVERAL FAILED ATTEMPTS TO USE THE RIDE HEIGHT LEVELING SYSTEM CONTROLS AND NOTICED ALL THREE RIDE HEIGHT LEVELING LIGHTS FLASHING AND THEN A SUSPENSION LIGHT FLASHING ON OPERATOR CONSOLE THAT WAS NOT LAMINATED UNTIL AFTER RESTART OF CAR. AFTER THE INCIDENT THE AIR COMPRESSOR REPUTEDLY FAILED TO INFLATE FRONT SHOCKS. THIS TOOK PLACE APROX. 2 MILES FROM MY HOME ON WONDER WOOD EXPRESSWAY. IN JACKSONVILLE FL. CAR IS NOW AT RESIDENCE. UN-DRIVABLE. CONTACTING DEALER! *TR

Mileage: 94,000

20090618STRUCTURE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI ALLROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE HAS A DESIGN FLAW. WHEN IT RAINS, WATER ENTERS THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS A SMALL DRAINAGE HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE BATTERY IS LOCATED. DEBRIS AND WATER ENTER THIS HOLE AND DRAINS THE BATTERY. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD AND HAD EXCESSIVE MILEAGE. THE AUDI MANUFACTURER HAD THE SAME RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 07/28/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRAIN HOLES IN THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT WERE BLOCKED. WATER FLOODED THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT THEN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND SHORTED OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSING OVER $3000 IN DAMAGE. UPDATED 07/30/09.*JB

Mileage: 60,000

20090522ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI ALLROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION COIL WAS FAULTY ON HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED ONE OF THE SIX IGNITION COILS FOR FREE. CURRENTLY, THE OTHER FIVE COILS ARE BEGINNING TO FAIL AND NEED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DOES NOT WANT TO PAY THE REPAIR COST. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

Mileage: 48,000

20081022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OF MY 2003 AUDI FADES OUT. THIS MAKE THE INFORMATION IT DISPLAYS HARD TO READ. IT IS SAFETY AND QUALITY ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

20071002ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

MY 2003 AUDI ALLROAD'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS DEAD PIXELS IN THE CENTER INFORMATION DISPLAY. THIS IS ONE OF MANY A6, A4, S6, S4 AND ALLROADS THAT HAS THIS PROBLEM. *JB

Mileage: 95,000

20071002ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON THE DRIVERS DISPLAY IS VERY FADED MAKING IT NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE CRITICAL INFORMATION INCLUDING SYSTEM WARNINGS AND GEAR SELECTION. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE, AS CRITICAL INFORMATION IS NOT AVAILABLE TO THE DRIVER. AUDI DOES NOT COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL CAR AND MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED WITH AUDI OF AMERICA. PLEASE ASSIST. *JB

20050118TIRES:TREAD/BELT

FAILURE OF A P-6 PERRELLI TIRE AT 5000 MILES. SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF ALL TIRES AT 20,000 MILES. *NM

20040816POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

CAR TOTALLY LOSES POWER WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC, ETC. HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, FEELS LIKE CAR IS GOING TO STALL, ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED A FEW TIMES BECAUSE CAR HAS NO POWER. BROUGHT IT BACK FOR THIS 3 X SINCE LAST OCT. NOTHING WAS DONE, SAME RESPONSE FROM AUDI, NO PROBLEM FOUND. THIS CAR IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN !*AK

Mileage: 2,000

Compare 2003AUDIALLROAD to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 AUDI ALLROAD have?
The 2003 AUDI ALLROAD has 18 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 AUDI ALLROAD?
Yes, the 2003 AUDI ALLROAD has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 AUDI ALLROAD?
The most-complained component for the 2003 AUDI ALLROAD is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Is the 2003 AUDI ALLROAD 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.