VehicleVerdict

2003 Audi A6 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 85 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median A6 year — the 2003 model ranks #9 of 33 A6 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Fuel System leads the complaint categories with 23 reports (27% of the total).

85

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

1

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other A6 years?

A6 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted276 complaints1994: 2 complaints1995: 22 complaints1996: 71 complaints1997: 26 complaints1998: 158 complaints1999: 276 complaints2000: 201 complaints2001: 148 complaints2002: 113 complaints2003: 85 complaints2004: 44 complaints2005: 119 complaints2006: 83 complaints2007: 63 complaints2008: 78 complaints2009: 22 complaints2010: 24 complaints2011: 26 complaints2012: 86 complaints2013: 79 complaints2014: 47 complaints2015: 28 complaints2016: 77 complaints2017: 24 complaints2018: 16 complaints2019: 193 complaints2020: 39 complaints2021: 21 complaints2022: 4 complaints2023: 1 complaints2024: 0 complaints2025: 10 complaints2026: 11 complaints
A6 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all A6 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Audi A6 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System2327%
Electrical System1821%
Transmission1113%
Engine67%
Tires & Wheels67%
Brakes67%
Visibility & Wipers34%
Speed Control22%
Lighting22%
Steering22%
Body & Structure22%
Suspension22%
Airbags11%
Other11%

Does the 2003 Audi A6 have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V267000Fuel SystemMay 3, 2011 · 5,992 units

Defect

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 AUDI A6, MODEL YEAR 2002-2003 S6 AND MODEL YEAR 2003 RS6 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.2L ENGINES AND MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 19, 2001, THROUGH JUNE 8, 2004. THE AGING OF THE PLASTIC MATERIAL IN THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE COMBINED WITH BENDING STRESS FROM THE ALUMINUM VENTILATION LINE TO THE ROLLOVER VALVE NIPPLE MAY LEAD TO CRACKING OF THE NIPPLE. IF THIS HAPPENS, A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT.

Consequence

A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE NIPPLE ON THE ROLLOVER VALVE TO PREVENT LEAKAGE OR REPAIR THE CRACKING AT THE NIPPLE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.

08V157000Fuel SystemApril 8, 2008 · 68,240 units

Defect

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 68,240 MY 2001-2004 AUDI A6 QUATTRO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.7L, 2.8L, OR 3.0L ENGINES AND MY 2001-2005 ALLROAD QUATTRO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.7L OR 4.2L ENGINES. THE AGING OF THE PLASTIC MATERIAL IN THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE COMBINED WITH BENDING STRESS FROM THE ALUMINUM VENTILATION LINE TO THE ROLLOVER VALVE NIPPLE MAY LEAD TO CRACKING OF THE NIPPLE. IF THIS HAPPENS, A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT.

Consequence

A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE NIPPLE ON THE ROLLOVER VALVE TO PREVENT LEAKAGE OR REPAIR THE CRACKING AT THE NIPPLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 27, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.

07V375000Fuel SystemAugust 28, 2007 · 34,358 units

Defect

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

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).

06V198000Electrical SystemJune 5, 2006 · 70,512 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HALOGEN LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS, CERTAIN CONNECTOR PINS IN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CONNECTOR COME INTO CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT. NOTE: VEHICLES WITH XENON LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT AFFECTED BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT IN THESE VEHICLES CONTAINS A FUSE, WHICH PRECLUDES EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW IN THE CASE OF A SHORT CIRCUIT. AUDI S6 AND S6 AVANT VEHICLES ARE ALL EQUIPPED WITH XENON LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND, THEREFORE, ARE NOT LONGER AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING OR FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS BY INSTALLING A JUMPER WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 16, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.

06V017000Fuel SystemJanuary 23, 2006 · 74,000 units

Defect

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

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.

04V133000Electrical SystemMarch 18, 2004 · 172,866 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, IF A DRIVER'S KNEES PUSH AGAINST THE KNEE BOLSTER (CRASH ELEMENT) LOCATED UNDER THE DASHBOARD, IT CAN CONTACT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WIRING HARNESS, AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD OCCUR.

Consequence

A FIRE COULD ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT DASHBOARD AREA.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVERING ON THE KNEE BOLSTER (CRASH ELEMENT). IN ADDITION, THE WIRING HARNESS AS WELL AS THE FELT PROTECTOR ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD CARRIER WILL BE CHECKED, AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 26, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.

02V275000AirbagsOctober 9, 2002 · 170 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3-SPOKE SPORT STEERING WHEELS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE IGNITER FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ASSEMBLED.

Consequence

AN IMPROPERLY POSITIONED IGNITER WILL NOT ACTIVATE THE AIR BAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAGS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 18, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO RESET THE CODES BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 10, 2014 · fire

“THE FIRE STARTED UNDER DASHBOARD AS I WAS DRIVING. I STOPPED THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND QUICKLY JUMPED OUT THE CAR WHEN SAW A FLAME. THIS WAS THE MOST FREIGHTING EXPERIENCE IN MY LIFE. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 19, 2013 · fire

“I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 AUDI A6 CVT TRANSMISSION. THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPLACED RECENTLEY, BUT THE SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR PROBLEM CONTINUES WITH NEW ONE. THE SAN DIEGO AUDI DEALERS HAVE TOLD ME THAT THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT HAVE TOLD ME TO LET THE TRANSMISSION…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 10, 2005

“ON MAY 3, 2013, I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 10MPH. SUDDENLY, I BEGAN SMELLING SMOKE. I THOUGHT THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM NEARBY TRUCKS. HOWEVER, SOON AFTER, SMOKE WAS PROFUSELY COMING THROUGH MY GLOVE COMPARTMENT. I PULLED OVER, TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND EXITED THE CAR. ABOUT 5…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 2, 2013 · fire

“I HAVE LOCKED MY BRAKES AND HAD A NEAR ACCIDENT. MY ABS AND ESP HAS STOPPED WORKING ON MY 2003 AUDI A6. I WAS TOLD THE ABS CONTROL UNITS ARE KNOWN TO GO BAD, AND WILL COST OVER A $1000 TO FIX. I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX. IF THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM, SHOULDN'T AUDI BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ANY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 5, 2010

2003 Audi A6 — common questions

Is the 2003 Audi A6 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 85 complaints put the 2003 model at #9 of 33 A6 years. It is one of the A6 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 A6 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (23 complaints), electrical system (18 complaints), transmission (11 complaints).

Does the 2003 Audi A6 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Audi A6. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2003 Audi A6 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Audi A6 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the A6 years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2019, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2002, 2012, 2003, 2006, 2013, 2008, 2016, 1996. The cleanest record among A6 years belongs to 2024.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.