VehicleVerdict

2003 Audi allroad problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 18 complaints on file for the 2003 Audi allroad — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

18

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other allroad years?

allroad NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted29 complaints1998: 1 complaints1999: 4 complaints2001: 29 complaints2002: 13 complaints2003: 18 complaints2004: 21 complaints2005: 5 complaints2013: 15 complaints2014: 6 complaints2015: 4 complaints2017: 5 complaints2018: 1 complaints2020: 0 complaints
allroad NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all allroad years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Audi allroad problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System528%
Transmission422%
Body & Structure211%
Tires & Wheels211%
Suspension16%
Seat Belts16%
Engine16%
Fuel System16%
Airbags16%

Does the 2003 Audi allroad have recalls?

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

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.

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.

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.

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 ALLROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION COIL WAS FAULTY ON HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED ONE OF THE SIX IGNITION COILS FOR FREE. CURRENTLY, THE OTHER FIVE COILS ARE BEGINNING TO FAIL AND NEED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 23, 2008

“CAR TOTALLY LOSES POWER WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC, ETC. HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, FEELS LIKE CAR IS GOING TO STALL, ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED A FEW TIMES BECAUSE CAR HAS NO POWER. BROUGHT IT BACK FOR THIS 3 X SINCE LAST OCT. NOTHING WAS DONE, SAME RESPONSE FROM AUDI, NO PROBLEM FOUND. THIS CAR IS AN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 20, 2003

“2003 AUDI ALL ROAD. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TRANSMISSION, SEAT BELTS AND WHEELS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AT TIMES, THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT REACT TO A SUDDEN DEPRESSION OF THE GAS PEDAL. THE RESULTING DELAY IN ACCELERATION COULD RESULT IN A COLLISION DUE TO THE INABILITY TO MOVE THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · March 1, 2012

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI ALLROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE HAS A DESIGN FLAW. WHEN IT RAINS, WATER ENTERS THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS A SMALL DRAINAGE HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE BATTERY IS LOCATED. DEBRIS AND WATER ENTER THIS HOLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 15, 2009

“THE FUEL TANK HAS DEVELOPED A LEAK ON ITS OWN. I FILLED MY CAR THE THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2015. ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2015 THE FUEL GAUGE WAS DOWN A QUARTER TANK. I SMELLED GAS OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. MY MECHANIC TELLS ME THE LEAK IS AT A PLASTIC WELDED NUB ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TANK.THIS IS A PLASTIC FUEL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 27, 2015

2003 Audi allroad — common questions

Is the 2003 Audi allroad reliable?

The record is thin — 18 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2003 allroad problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (5 complaints), transmission (4 complaints), body & structure (2 complaints).

Does the 2003 Audi allroad have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Audi allroad. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2003 Audi allroad under NHTSA investigation?

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

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.