Total Complaints
19 filings
AUDI TT · model year
19 NHTSA complaints, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2003AUDITT carries 19 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 TT is electrical system: instrument cluster/panel with 5 filings, followed by power train (4) and engine and engine cooling (2). 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 1 active recall campaign, 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 TT. 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.
Total Complaints
19 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | 5 |
| POWER TRAIN | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
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
TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN CAR IS WARM AND TRANSMISSION FLUID IS WARM/HOT.
Mileage: 69,000
MY 2003 AUDI TT QUATTRO HAS AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT, HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES REPLACING THE BULB AS WELL AS SWITCH. AFTER LOOKING AT NUMEROUS POSTS, IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A HUGE FAULT BY THE MANUFACTURER OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE. IN MY STATE YOU GET A TICKET FOR A SINGLE LIGHT OUT (NY) AND THIS HEADLIGHT FAILS INTERMITTENTLY EITHER WHEN AT 0MPH OR 60MPH. HUGE SAFETY CONCERN ESPECIALLY IF DRIVING AT NIGHT OR IN THE RAIN, ON TOP OF THE TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS.
Mileage: 155,000
MY 2003 AUDI TT QUATTRO HAS AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT, HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES REPLACING THE BULB AS WELL AS SWITCH. AFTER LOOKING AT NUMEROUS POSTS, IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A HUGE FAULT BY THE MANUFACTURER OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE. IN MY STATE YOU GET A TICKET FOR A SINGLE LIGHT OUT (NY) AND THIS HEADLIGHT FAILS INTERMITTENTLY EITHER WHEN AT 0MPH OR 60MPH. HUGE SAFETY CONCERN ESPECIALLY IF DRIVING AT NIGHT OR IN THE RAIN, ON TOP OF THE TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS.
Mileage: 155,000
MY 2003 AUDI TT QUATTRO HAS AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT, HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES REPLACING THE BULB AS WELL AS SWITCH. AFTER LOOKING AT NUMEROUS POSTS, IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A HUGE FAULT BY THE MANUFACTURER OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE. IN MY STATE YOU GET A TICKET FOR A SINGLE LIGHT OUT (NY) AND THIS HEADLIGHT FAILS INTERMITTENTLY EITHER WHEN AT 0MPH OR 60MPH. HUGE SAFETY CONCERN ESPECIALLY IF DRIVING AT NIGHT OR IN THE RAIN, ON TOP OF THE TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS.
Mileage: 155,000
THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPLACEMENT FOR THE DIGITAL CLUSTER, THERMOSTAT AND COOLING PUMP. THEN I REPLACED THE CLUSTER FOR THE FIRST TIME 9/2011. SAME DAY AFTER PUTTING IN THE NEW CLUSTER THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND REPLACED A FEW DAYS LATER. THE CLUSTER WAS REPLACED AGAIN WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE WOULD NOT MOVE AND STAYED BELOW ZERO. ON THAT SAME DAY I PICK UP THE CAR AND DROVE LESS THAN A MILE AND THE DIGITAL CLUSTER FADED OUT TO A BLANK SCREEN. I TURN AROUND AND TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WAS INFORM THAT THEY WILL ORDER ANOTHER CLUSTER AND CALL ME FOR THE INSTALL WHICH WAS DONE A FEW DAYS LATER. NOW THE DIGITAL CLUSTER IS NOT MAKING ANY WARNING SOUNDS. WHEN I PRESS THE BUTTON MANUALLY TO SEE, IF THERE ARE ANY PROBLEMS IT SHOWED A SERVICE VISIT WAS COMING UP AND THE SYMBOL TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL AND WATER PUMP. THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THIS WAS NORMAL TO SEE WHICH CONTRADICTS THE CAR MANUAL AND ANOTHER
THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPLACEMENT FOR THE DIGITAL CLUSTER, THERMOSTAT AND COOLING PUMP. THEN I REPLACED THE CLUSTER FOR THE FIRST TIME 9/2011. SAME DAY AFTER PUTTING IN THE NEW CLUSTER THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND REPLACED A FEW DAYS LATER. THE CLUSTER WAS REPLACED AGAIN WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE WOULD NOT MOVE AND STAYED BELOW ZERO. ON THAT SAME DAY I PICK UP THE CAR AND DROVE LESS THAN A MILE AND THE DIGITAL CLUSTER FADED OUT TO A BLANK SCREEN. I TURN AROUND AND TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WAS INFORM THAT THEY WILL ORDER ANOTHER CLUSTER AND CALL ME FOR THE INSTALL WHICH WAS DONE A FEW DAYS LATER. NOW THE DIGITAL CLUSTER IS NOT MAKING ANY WARNING SOUNDS. WHEN I PRESS THE BUTTON MANUALLY TO SEE, IF THERE ARE ANY PROBLEMS IT SHOWED A SERVICE VISIT WAS COMING UP AND THE SYMBOL TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL AND WATER PUMP. THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THIS WAS NORMAL TO SEE WHICH CONTRADICTS THE CAR MANUAL AND ANOTHER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI TT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Mileage: 52,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI TT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE TRANSMISSION JERKED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FOR A FEW SECONDS. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25-35 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FIVE TIMES BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO THEN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,902. UPDATED 1/21/11 *CN UPDATED 04/18/11
Mileage: 84,902
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI TT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENTAL CLUSTER MALFUNCTIONED AND ALL OF THE GAUGES WOULD READ INACCURATE INFORMATION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF AN UNKNOWN RECALL RELATIVE TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WOULD ONLY BE PERFORMED IF THE CONTACT HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Mileage: 120,000
THE DIGITAL INSTRUMENT PANEL IS FAILING CURRENTLY IT DOES NOT REGISTER THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC CAUSING A DANGEROUS AND HAZARDOUS SITUATION. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR A SIMILAR FAILURE IN THE VEHICLES INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY AND WILL COST IN EXCESS OF $900 FOR THE PART, PLUS LABOR TO REPLACE THE ITEM ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 45,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS ALSO STORED IN A HEATED GARAGE IN THE WINTER SO, ELEMENTS SHOULD NOT BE A FACTOR IN THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE IS MOST LIKELY DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND REPLACEMENT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
Mileage: 41,300
THE DIGITAL INSTRUMENT PANEL IS FAILING CURRENTLY IT DOES NOT REGISTER THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC CAUSING A DANGEROUS AND HAZARDOUS SITUATION. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR A SIMILAR FAILURE IN THE VEHICLES INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY AND WILL COST IN EXCESS OF $900 FOR THE PART, PLUS LABOR TO REPLACE THE ITEM ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 45,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS ALSO STORED IN A HEATED GARAGE IN THE WINTER SO, ELEMENTS SHOULD NOT BE A FACTOR IN THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE IS MOST LIKELY DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND REPLACEMENT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
Mileage: 41,300
2003 AUDI TT. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND TIMING BELT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL GAUGE AND OTHER COMPONENTS WERE NOT ACCURATE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND TIMING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE WAS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM FOR AUDI'S AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY AUDI. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT GIVEN A RATIONAL REASON FOR THE DENIAL. HOWEVER, AUDI STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP DENIED THE REQUEST. *JB
2003 AUDI TT. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND TIMING BELT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL GAUGE AND OTHER COMPONENTS WERE NOT ACCURATE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND TIMING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE WAS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM FOR AUDI'S AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY AUDI. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT GIVEN A RATIONAL REASON FOR THE DENIAL. HOWEVER, AUDI STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP DENIED THE REQUEST. *JB
THERE IS A VERY WELL-DOCUMENTED, WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE AUDI TT DASH PANEL, ONE THAT AUDI HAS NOT SUFFICIENTLY ADDRESSED. FAILURES INCLUDE (1) A FALSE OR NO VEHICLE SPEED INDICATION (2) A FALSE OR NO ENGINE ROTATIONAL SPEED INDICATION (3) A FALSE ENGINE TEMPERATURE INDICATION (4) A FALSE FUEL LEVEL (5) COMPLETE DEACTIVATION OF ENGINE (6) IMPROPER STATUS OF SAFETY FEATURES SUCH AS AIRBAGS, BRAKES, TRACTION CONTROL, ETC (7) IMPROPER OR FAULTY INDICATION OF ONBOARD COMPUTER FUNCTIONS AND DRIVER INFORMATION DISPLAYS. IT IS A SHAME THAT THE US HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO AFFECT A POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM AUDI REGARDING A SAFETY RECALL OF THIS KNOWN, CHRONIC PROBLEM, WHEREAS OTHER COUNTRIES, SUCH AS THE UK, HAVE SUCCESSFULLY LOBBIED FOR ACTION FROM AUDI IN THE FORM OF AN UNCONDITIONAL SAFETY RECALL. HAVING A VEHICLE WITH FIVE OF THE OUTLINED FAILURES OF THE DASHBOARD, I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT AND URGE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE WHAT OTHERS HAVE DOCUMENTED, NOT ONLY IN NHTSA-FILED COMPLAINTS, BUT FRO
Mileage: 43,000
2003 AUDI TT ROADSTER PROBLEMS WITH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE ARE NOW SAFETY ISSUES RESULTING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE. *KB THE ODOMETER AND TEMPERATURE GAUGES NO LONGER FUNCTIONED. THE CONSUMER HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING THE ENGINE OPERATING TEMPERATURE AND HE ONLY DISCOVERED THERE WAS A PROBLEM AFTER THE DISPLAY INDICATED AN ALARMINGLY HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURE.*JB
ENGINE FAILED. THREW A ROD CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED AT 50,000 MILES. *JB
Mileage: 50,154
OIL CONSUMPTION OF VEHICLE IS VERY HIGH. FOR THE FIRST 30000 MILES OIL CONSUMPTION WAS NORMAL. NOW THE VEHICLE RUNS LOW ON OIL EVERY 3000 MILES. ADVISED BY AUDI THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICHLE TO BURN 1 QUART EVERY 1000 MILES, BUT AS STATED EARLIER, THIS DID NOT HAPPEN FOR THE FIRST 30000 MILES. ALSO ADVISED BY AUDI TO KEEP A QUART OF OIL IN MY TRUNK. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE.*AK
Mileage: 36,000
EXPRESS MAIL FWDING MOTOR VEHICLE DEFECT NOTIFICATION FOR A 2003 AUDI COUPE. *PH THE VEHICLE JERKED AND VIBRATED WHILE IN REVERSE. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. *JB
EXPRESS MAIL FWDING MOTOR VEHICLE DEFECT NOTIFICATION FOR A 2003 AUDI COUPE. *PH THE VEHICLE JERKED AND VIBRATED WHILE IN REVERSE. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. *JB
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.