2003 Audi A4 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump (24) · Exterior Lighting (16) · Vehicle Speed Control (15)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Audi A4 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
177 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2014-03-07 · campaign 14E007000 · 50 vehicles
Defect: 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/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1
Risk: A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
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.
Service bulletins (163)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-10-04 · A0023742052680_4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information on the additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries.
Equipment 2022-06-15 · SM 48-2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
Structure 2021-06-25 · A0021482021205_6 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this informational bulletin explains how to order replacement vin plates, safety certification labels, etc.
Equipment:electrical 2020-04-16 · A0020362002047_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this information bulletin contains instructions for technicans on how to ensure their tac call goes smoothly.
Electrical System 2019-09-17 · A0019252011732_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
00 software version management (svm), operating instructions
Equipment:other:labels 2019-08-28 · AWC 19-05 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this communication is issued to inform dealers of updated shipping regulations related to lithium ion batteries.
Showing the 6 most recent of 163 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-10-11 · Engine“crank case ventilation hose breaks and engine runs poorly part#06c103235b…”
2023-01-03 · Exterior Lighting“water pump failed inside lights sometimes work and signal lights aren’t accurate …”
2022-11-26 · Electrical 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…”
2022-10-06 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 100,000 mi“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…”
2022-03-05 · Electrical System“left turn signal works fine. right turn signal alternates between flashing left and right.…”
2022-01-06 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 143,839 mi“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 repair…”
2021-10-06 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 🔥 fire“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. oth…”
2020-08-12 · Power Train · 174,400 mi“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?…”
2020-06-26 · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · 199,800 mi · 🔥 fire“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 investiga…”
2019-05-28 · Power 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…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.