Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Compact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2003 Audi A4Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 215 owner complaints for the 2003 Audi A4. Most complaints involve power train (44) and fuel system, gasoline (41). The EPA rates it 18–23 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18–23mpg
EPA · 11 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Mar 2014
Owner complaints
215
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,350est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Free remedy

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, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

Engine and engine coolingReported Mar 7, 2014NHTSA 14E007000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Aug 28, 2007NHTSA 07V375000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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 THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO STALL.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jan 23, 2006NHTSA 06V017000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

215 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2003 – Oct 2024
  1. Power train44
  2. Fuel system, gasoline41
  3. Electrical system32
  4. Exterior lighting24
  5. Vehicle speed control22
  6. Visibility19
  7. Engine and engine cooling18
  8. Structure14
  9. Air bags12

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each A4 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199692
199799
1998258
1999190
200096
2001130
2002189
2003215
2004189
2005219
2006298
2008191
2009144
201064
201142
201245
2013111
201476
201544
201626
201784
20198
2020158
Crashes reported
10
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
12
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

44 reports
“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?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 12, 2020Power trainODI 11348847

Fuel system, gasoline

41 reports1 fire
“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 repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they would cover the part replacement. The failure mileage was 143,839.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 6, 2022Fuel system, gasolineODI 11446475

Electrical system

32 reports4 fires
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 26, 2022Electrical systemODI 11494969
All 2003 A4 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

11 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars, Small Station Wagons
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl turbo · 3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Manual 5-spd · Automatic (S5) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
A4
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
202723$3,350386
A4
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
202923$3,350386
A4
Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$3,700423
A4 Avant quattro
Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
182621$3,700423
A4 Avant quattro
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
182621$3,700423
A4 quattro
Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
182621$3,700423
A4 quattro
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
182621$3,700423
A4 Avant quattro
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162419$4,050468
A4 quattro
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162419$4,050468
A4 Avant quattro
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162318$4,300494
A4 quattro
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162318$4,300494
  • A4
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo
    20 city · 27 hwy · $3,350/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • A4
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo
    20 city · 29 hwy · $3,350/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • A4
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,700/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • A4 Avant quattro
    Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,700/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • A4 Avant quattro
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,700/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • A4 quattro
    Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,700/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • A4 quattro
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,700/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • A4 Avant quattro
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    16 city · 24 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • A4 quattro
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    16 city · 24 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • A4 Avant quattro
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • A4 quattro
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Audi A4 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 4925Vehicle 4926
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2003 A4 questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Audi A4 have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2003 Audi A4 problems?

Owners filed 215 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (44), fuel system, gasoline (41), electrical system (32). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 Audi A4 get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Audi A4 at 18–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (11 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026