2003 Audi A4 problems
NHTSA has received 282 complaints about the 2003 Audi A4, and 19% of them involve fuel system. After that come electrical system (12%) and drivetrain & axles (8%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 282 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Fuel system 19% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 11 and 14
- Injuries and deaths
- 14 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 63,000 miles 234 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 23 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 32 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 54 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 52 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 28 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 20 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 7 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 14 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 2 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Among the 234 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 63,000 miles. For fuel system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 56,000 miles (46 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 11 complaints mention a crash; 14 complaints mention a fire; 14 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2003 ranks 4th most-complained-about out of 20 model years of the Audi A4 with enough data (153 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Our brand new 2003 audi a4 was rear-ended by a ford f-550 traveling at approx. 55 MPH. The ford f-550 did not brake before impact and hit the audi with such force that it impacted the vehicle immediately in front which hit that vehicle in front of it. All were stopped for a traffic light. My wife, the only occupant and driver, had to be cut out of the audi. She suffered permanent brain injury as a result of hitting the rear-view mirror and windshield. She also suffered numerous other injuries.
While I was driving my vehicle, the approaching light turned yellow, then red, and the vehicles in front of me stopped, I applied the break on my vehicle, I had plenty of distance between me and the other vehicles, however as I am applying the break, my vehicle began to slow and all of a sudden the car began to accelerate uncontrollably, RPM was over 5000, the brakes did nothing to stop the vehicle, and the vehicle accelerated even more, I had no choice and nowhere to turn off to avoid an accident, my vehicle…
Takata recall I have a 2003 audi a4 I was sideswiped recently causing significant amount of driver side damage which one of the airbags deployed I'm suffering from the injury
Air conditioning unit burst spraying freon all over engine compartment. Repairs were attempted four times and after the fourth time, I now have water from the airconditioning system draining into the car on the front passenger side, just below the glove compartment.
Bought a 2003 audi a4 cabriolet in 2005. 6 months later, rear window in 2003 audi a4 detached from convertible top causing rear leather seat to rot and tear due to rain water leaking through the detached window. Tried to have the window reattached by an audi dealership referred detailing company, adhesive did not hold and I was told the car would need a new roof.