Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
I bought the vehicle last year when it had 78,000 miles on it. Only 4 months after having purchased the car, I got a message on the trouble light warning system that I had a "dipped light". I had to google other Audi owners to find out what a dipped light was, as I never heard of a burned out headlight termed as a "dipped light" before. I can only drive it during the day now, as I have heard in car forums that fixing it can be quite a long and expensive process. I am afraid that it May affect my driving safety even when driving during the day, because in florida we have a lot of stormy weather during the rainy season and the sky gets very dark right before the storms come in. …
Water pump failed inside lights sometimes work and signal lights aren't accurate
The headlights on 2002 through 2007 (and possibly to current) Audi A4's have been known to go out randomly. Often times it is just the single left headlight, or right headlight, which goes out. This is accompanied by the error message "left/right headlight dipped" on the driver information screen located on the dashboard. This can occur from the following circumstances: -heavy or sudden chassis vibration (such as hitting a pothole or even someone physically striking the headlight) -cold weather (examples have occurred in as little as 35 degrees fahrenheit) -water or moisture in the electrical wiring this failure causes a sudden loss of headlight output, endangering both the driver and occupants or other drivers and pedestrians if this occurs at night or in poor weather. Since a common cause is poor weather/cold weather, often at its worst at night, this is a significant risk. …
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. …
Hi, I am an owner of an Audi A4 2003. I am not too sure if its the "right place" to complaint about my car's safety. My car's headlights are going out the whole time while I am driving and I have to reset them by turning the switch off and then back on in order to keep them working for couple minutes. After some minutes the same procedure. I went to an Audi dealer and they wont "reproduce" the error. They say that once we connect it to our database and we read no error there is nothing we can do. I looked into it (online) for couple weeks now and I read the same stories over and over again from people that they own cars from years 2000- 2006 . They said they contact Audi and Audi ignores them. That's why I am coming to you. It is so dangerous the lights to go out while we re driving and yet nobody can help us to solve the problem. Thank you in advance.
When the right indicator is turned on before a turn, the indicator lights keep switching between left and right. The problem is observed not only on the dashboard indicator lights, but also the front and rear indicator console. This is a safety hazard, because it is virtually impossible to change lanes without risking getting hit from behind; especially on a crowded road. I have complained to the Audi dealership/service station about this issue twice. However, they were unable to reproduce this problem.
I have a Audi A4 2003. Today for the fifth time in the last 17K miles, the auto leveling sensors for the xenon headlamps failed. The xenon head lights no longer "auto level" and in certain terrains the car will blind oncoming traffic. The Audi dealer has replaced numerous parts, but has yet to date to really fix the problem. This is definitely a saftey issue, since it causes my car to blind oncoming traffic, and also causes too much reflection of signs to the driver in my car during night driving.
There is a failure with my high intensity discharge(HID) lights that causes them to flicker and sometimes to turn off completely while in use/ the failure occurs every time the HID lights are turned on. Bulbs have been changed, but the condition is not resolved. An alarm comes on screen which reads "left light dipped" or "right light dipped" and results in the light turning off completely on the dipped side.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Audi A4. The contact stated that the brake light constantly illuminated after having the brakes repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician reset the computer but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000. The VIN was not available.
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.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights
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.
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.
Headlight complaints in other A4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2003 Audi A4?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the lights of the 2003 Audi A4, 11% of the model year's 210 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Audi A4 headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-096 (headlights, Mar 15, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Audi A4 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
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.