HEADLIGHTS FLICKER AND GO OUT MOMENTARILY WHILE DRIVING, ESPECIALLY AFTER HITTING A DIP IN THE ROAD OR A BUMP. DASH READS "RIGHT/LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT". EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO HAVE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT AT NIGHT. *TR
2003 Audi A4
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most A4 years
Owner complaints for the 2003 Audi A4 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 76.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all A4 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
177 reports with mileage · 33 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
210 reportsA WARNING READING "LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT" APPEARED ON MY INSTRUMENT GAUGE. THE ISSUE WENT AWAY BY ITSELF BUT HAS NOW RETURNED. I GET THE SAME MESSAGE NOW AND MY FRONT LEFT HEADLIGHT TURNS OFF BY ITSELF. SOMETIMES IT COMES BACK ON OR I HAVE TO MANUALLY SHUT OFF MY HEADLIGHTS AND TURNED THEM BACK ON. THE SAME MESSAGE COMES BACK ON…
Read full complaint
A WARNING READING "LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT" APPEARED ON MY INSTRUMENT GAUGE. THE ISSUE WENT AWAY BY ITSELF BUT HAS NOW RETURNED. I GET THE SAME MESSAGE NOW AND MY FRONT LEFT HEADLIGHT TURNS OFF BY ITSELF. SOMETIMES IT COMES BACK ON OR I HAVE TO MANUALLY SHUT OFF MY HEADLIGHTS AND TURNED THEM BACK ON. THE SAME MESSAGE COMES BACK ON AFTER MINUTES OF DRIVING. *TR
IN REPLACING A FLAT TIRE AFTER JACKING THE CAR UP, THE ORIGINAL CAR JACK BROKE DOWN AND THE CAR FELL BACK DOWN. LUCKILY I HAVEN'T BEEN INJURED, BUT WAS REALLY A CLOSE CALL. *TR
SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, THE HID LIGHTS HAVE SPORADICALLY FLICKERED. WITHIN THE PAST YEAR, THEY RANDOMLY FLICKER AND SOMETIMES TURN OFF BRIEFLY MAKING FOR A HAZARDOUS DRIVING SITUATION. I REALLY WISH AUDI WOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OWNERS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. *TR
ON AUGUST 30, 2011 EXPERIENCED HAD A RIGHT PASSENGER TREAD SEPARATION OF BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE960AS. I WAS DRIVING AN AUDI A4 AT 65 MPH ON I24 EAST NEAR MANCHESTER TENNESSEE. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE TIRES HAD 19,000 MILES OF WEAR. *TR
FUEL PUMP FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING. SUDDENLY WITHOUT POWER. FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. 2003 AUDI A4, WHICH HAS HAD RECALL NOTICES ON IT FOR EXACTLY THIS ISSUE. YET WHEN I TALK TO THE DEALER ABOUT IT, THEY SAY MY "VIN ISN'T ONE OF THE ONES IMPACTED SO IT'S NOT COVERED." IT'S EXACTLY THE MODEL YE…
Read full complaint
FUEL PUMP FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING. SUDDENLY WITHOUT POWER. FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. 2003 AUDI A4, WHICH HAS HAD RECALL NOTICES ON IT FOR EXACTLY THIS ISSUE. YET WHEN I TALK TO THE DEALER ABOUT IT, THEY SAY MY "VIN ISN'T ONE OF THE ONES IMPACTED SO IT'S NOT COVERED." IT'S EXACTLY THE MODEL YEAR AND MODEL AND THE EXACT PROBLEM THEY'VE ADMITTED. BUT NOW IN A DOCUMENTED CASE, THEY ARE REFUSING TO COVER THE REPAIR. *TR
WHEN I PURCHASED MY PRE-OWNED 03 AUDI A4 CABRIO IN MAY 2010 FAILED TO NOTICE THAT THE BOTTOM LEFT AND RIGHT CORNERS OF THE REAR WINDOW WAS SEPARATING FROM THE FABRIC AT THE TOP. FAST FORWARD TO MAY 2011 ITS NOW SPREAD ENOUGH THAT YOU COULD REACH A WHOLE HAND INTO THE HEADLINER. WHEN IT RAINS PART OF THE BACK SEAT,REAR DECK AND …
Read full complaint
WHEN I PURCHASED MY PRE-OWNED 03 AUDI A4 CABRIO IN MAY 2010 FAILED TO NOTICE THAT THE BOTTOM LEFT AND RIGHT CORNERS OF THE REAR WINDOW WAS SEPARATING FROM THE FABRIC AT THE TOP. FAST FORWARD TO MAY 2011 ITS NOW SPREAD ENOUGH THAT YOU COULD REACH A WHOLE HAND INTO THE HEADLINER. WHEN IT RAINS PART OF THE BACK SEAT,REAR DECK AND AREAS OF THE TRUNK GET VERY WET WAS SEPARATING FROM THE FABRIC AT THE BOTTOM LEFT AND RIGHT CORNERS OF THE REAR WINDOW, ENOUGH THAT YOU COULD REACH A WHOLE HAND INTO THE HEADLINER. WHEN IT RAINS THE HEADLINER AROUND THE REAR GLASS, PART OF THE BACK SEAT,REAR DECK AND AREAS OF THE TRUNK GET VERY WET. WITH THE SMELL AFTER IT DRIES, IM SURE I HAVE MOLD AND MILDEW ISSUES AS WELL. *TR
THE CAR PROBABLY HAS FAULTY TCU, BECAUSE TRANSMISSION WOULD SOMETIMES JERK IF GOING FROM COMPLETE STOP AND PRESSING GAS PEDAL (EVEN LIGHTLY). THE CAR AT FIRST WOULDN'T GO, THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTEDLY WOULD ACCELERATE. I BELIEVE THIS IS COMMON IN AUDI, AND THEY SHOULD FIX THAT.
2003 AUDI A4 TCM FAILURE ALMOST LED TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. WAS BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY ON A SEMI-BUSY ROAD IN WINTER PARK, FL WHEN THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE GAVE OUT ON MY 2003 AUDI A4 CVT TRANSMISSION. THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND JUST WOULD REV. BUT NOT MOVE IN REVERSE. I HAD TO QUICKLY THROW IT IN DRIVE AND HEAD INTO ON…
Read full complaint
2003 AUDI A4 TCM FAILURE ALMOST LED TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. WAS BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY ON A SEMI-BUSY ROAD IN WINTER PARK, FL WHEN THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE GAVE OUT ON MY 2003 AUDI A4 CVT TRANSMISSION. THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND JUST WOULD REV. BUT NOT MOVE IN REVERSE. I HAD TO QUICKLY THROW IT IN DRIVE AND HEAD INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC UNTIL BEING ABLE TO GET INOT THE PROPER LANE. AFTER DRIVING HOME, I NOTICED THAT THIS IS RANDOM AND THERE IS NO LOGIC TO WHEN IT OCCURS. THE PROBLEM IS AN INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL TCM PROBLEM IN WHICH SIGNAL 'DROPS' FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. I DID A SEARCH ONLINE ABOUT THEIS ISSUE WITH THE 2003 CVT TRANSMISSION FROM AUID AND THE TCM SHORTING OUT WHILE DRIVING IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE. I SEE THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE AND DEFINALTELY HOLD THE AUTO MANUFACTURUER AT FAULT. AUDI HAS RECALLED THESE TCM'S FOR THEIR A6 AND A8 LINE THAT YEAR WHICH USES MANY OF THE SAME COMPONENTS. WHY HAS THE 2003 A4 CVT NOT BEEN RECALLED THEN. IT HAS THE SAME ISSUES. TCM FAILURE AND FAULTS DUE TO IMPROPER ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS AND CLUTCH PACK FAILURE BECUASE THE TRANSMISSION CANNOT HANDLE THE POWER OR WEIGHT OF THE CAR. THAT IS WHY FROM 2005 AND ON THE CVT COMES WITH 7 CLUTCH PLATES. BOTTOM LINE IS THAT IF THIS ISSUE IS NOT ADDRESSED IN THE 2003 AUDI A4 CVT AND YOU DO NOT RECALL THIS YEAR AND VERSION TCM (AND MAYBE EVEN THE TRANNY ITSELF) PEOPLE WILL DIE IN ACCIDENTS THAT WERE NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN. I AM HEADED TO THE AUDI WEBSITE AND ANY OTHERS WHO WILL TAKE MY COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I SEE IT UP THERE WITH A STUCK ACCELERATOR. IF YOU CANT CONTROL SPEEDING UP OR SLOWING DOWN AND THE PROBLEM IS FAULTY ELECTRICAL THUS HAPPENING INTERMITENTLY HOW CAN YOU STAY IN CONTROL OF YOUR VEHICLE? *TR
FAILURE OF IGNITION COILS ON AUDI A4 1.8 TURBO ENGINE. *TR
Official recalls
307V375000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Aug 28, 2007
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE IS INTERRUPTED, THE VEHICLE COULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND THUS PRESENT A POTENTIAL RISK OF CRASH.
Remedy: 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 PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN (PLEASE SEE 06V017).
06V017000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Jan 23, 2006
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE IS INTERRUPTED, THE VEHICLE COULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND THUS PRESENT A POTENTIAL RISK OF CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
05V096000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights
Mar 15, 2005
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD AFFECT A DRIVER'S FIELD OF VIEW, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
Illustration