Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Audi A4 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2003 Audi A4. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle decelerated, lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart and there was steam coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence where an independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the vehicle had experienced a similar failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14E007000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and notified of the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was necessary to check for recalls. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available.
The coolant light came on after I replaced coil packs and I stopped to look wasn't leaking anywhere. Drove to work and it caught on fire due to overheating I guess not really sure. I was driving a car on fire down a highway and didn't even know it. I stopped to take a left turn into work and smoke stared billowing out and around the entire car. Other drivers couldn't see me or nothing I could have been in an accident. The fire department checked the car out sort of and it's in a mechanics shop now. Trying to figure it out. Oil light was on and that's it. AN then the coolant light would kick on and off. Nothing else after I changed the coil packs. And it was well after I did that.
Forgot to install c clip on temp sensor on radiator hose which popped out causing major engine damage and blown head gasket which was denied for many months. In oct. 08 they forgot to tighten bracket which caused wires to smoke and fire.aug 08-trimmed serpentine belt rather than replaced and car stopped running in middle of interstate. Sept 09 replaced oil pan but forgot to put plug back oct 08 oil residue on damper they threw out and did not replace. They forgot to put bolts back on sub frame and miracle I was not killed. This caused axle problems. When they replaced bolts they did not have bushings in stock and they released car without these bushings which is a safety violation. When bushings came in they refused to work on our vehicle and we had to go to different mechanic. They told us we needed timing belt when the headgasket was blown. …
After returning home from a drive through fast food place last night my daughter was parking in our driveway, she was in reverse. The car (a 2003 Audi A4 cv convertible) bounced and made a sound then she stopped. I said take the keys out of the ignition to her black smoke started to rise out of the top of the hood crack in front of the front windshield. I told her to get the dog in our back seat and herself out I assumed it was on fire because the dark smoke. I grabbed my purse piped the hood and my daughter called 911 as the neighbors ran inside there home for a fire extinguisher. Two men from across the street attempted to put it out as I spoke to the 911 operator. The fire department arrived and got the fire out. My car is now junk. My daughter was emotionally strained, hysterical throughout the incident. It was traumatic for us both. …
Tl contact owns a 2003 Audi A4. While driving 38 MPH, the check engine soon light illuminated and the entire vehicle began shaking. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealer, but has not yet been diagnosed. The contact also noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. He checked the vehicle and discovered an engine leak. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they informed him that the vehicle had been repaired; however, the contact does not believe that anything was done to the vehicle. An independent mechanic stated that the shaking was due to the motor mount. The current and failure mileages were 35,600.
Gasket leakage, in two separate areas in upper gasket, per mechanic. Car is now in repairs. Based upon reading the online recalls on the official NHTSA page, this is part of the recall for Audi A4 2000-2006. United states
I purchased an 2003 Audi A4 1.8 t pre-owned at 26K miles in oct 2004. I have brought the vehicle in for regular schedule maintenance at 30, 40 and 50K at roger beasley Audi in austin, tx. On jan 16, 2006 , at 55450 miles, engine started knocking and oil warning light came on. I had the vehicle towed to dealership which turned out to be sludge problem and estimate for repair is $2500. I was made aware about the extended warranty of 8 yrs for sludge issue Audi and vw had issue back in 2004 but dealer would not repair the issue under warranty since there's no record of oil change at 20K. Since I purchased the vehicle pre-owned, I'm unable to provide any oil change documentation for 20K service. To sum this all up, there's a record of oil changes during 10K (previous owner got service done at a dealership), 30K, 40K and 50K maintenance. …
On 8/1/07 I purchased a 2003 Audi A4 with a 1.8t engine from a local used car dealership. In May, 2008, the oil light came on, we had a qualified mechanic check the vehicle thoroughly and no problems were found. 2 days later, the engine completely shut down and the vehicle has been inoperable since that time. I have contacted Audi in regard to this since it is due to a manufacturing defect that causes sludge in the oil pan to recirculate through the engine, which is what LED to the engine failure. The oil return ports were not made large enough to recirculate the oil properly. I have been told that since I purchased it as a used vehicle, "as is", there is nothing that they will do to assist me in this situation. I was never made aware of this problem whatsoever prior to the engine failure and replacing the engine will cost in excess of $5000. …
I purchased a brand new 03 Audi a4t quattro in June of 03. The dealer is great and thank god they value their customers because my car has given them alot practice on everything. I think Germany sent us a dud! Since buying the car I have needed various items replaced: a new computer, (replaced by the dealer), a new fuel system was needed because my car stalled in the left lane of a highway while driving in the middle of nowhere (later recalled by Audi but after I needed to be towed and have the cpmponent fixed along with other items supposedly attached to the sytem), and most recently 2 separate problems that have not yet been fixed but have occurred within 1100 miles of each other. …
I have had numerous problems with my A4. First, my headlight shorted out and cost over $600 because it fried all the electrical wires and I had to get a new headlamp setting and wires. Even after replacing the computer has a lightbulb signal light that it is not sending the correct ampage. The power steering leaks continuously and makes noises also. The check engine light has came on and the motor is running very bumpy like almost like it is mis-firing or something. And last but not least, the transmission is not running correctly. When I put it into reverse it stalls and will not go. I put it in to neutral, then reverse again and it slowly catches sometimes. Now the check engine light is flashing and I have had my car sitting for a few days after all this suddenly appeared. I am saving money to try to get this fixed. …
Engine complaints in other A4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2003 Audi A4?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2003 Audi A4, 11% of the model year's 210 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Audi A4 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2003 Audi A4, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Audi A4 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.