2003 Audi A4 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
282 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2003 Audi A4, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 95/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 69,061 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2003 Audi A4 sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 2010, 2014, 2018.
Avoid
Where 2003 sits among all A4 years
What owners report
“While driving, engine lost power, was able to get the vehicle into a parking lot and had it towed to mechanic. Ignition coil in cylinder #2 failed and had to be replaced.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2003 A4
“I have had problem with my car's coils and fuel pump and learned recently that these components were under recall yet i was never notified of this. Does the manufacturer or dealer have an obligation to notify owners of recalls? I have paid a mechanic to replace these parts and would have taken to…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2003 A4
“Audi-a4-sedan-cvt transmission. Slipping gear while vehicle is moving and beginning drive from stoplight. Safety concern for family. History of a problem and no recall by audi. How can there be no recall.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2003 A4
“Tl- the contact owns a 2003 audi a4. While driving 60mph, the engine light came on, the vehicle began to stall and the speed decreased to 20mph and resulted in a loss of power. The vehicle was towed and the dealer stated that the ingition coils failed. The contact spoke with audi who informed him…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2003 A4
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 230 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 64,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 40,000 and 90,053 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (4)
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…
Fix: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
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.
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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.
Fix: 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.
Technical service bulletins
163 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and electrical — are on file for the 2003 Audi A4. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2003 Audi A4 reliable?
The 2003 Audi A4 drew 282 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 95/100, scored against the model's worst year (1998).
What are the most common 2003 Audi A4 problems?
The top reported problems for the 2003 Audi A4 are electrical (56 complaints), fuel system (50), and transmission & drivetrain (44).
At what mileage do 2003 Audi A4 problems show up?
Owners most often report 2003 Audi A4 problems around 64,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 40,000 and 90,053 miles.
Does the 2003 Audi A4 have recalls?
4 recall campaigns apply to the 2003 Audi A4. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.