Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 constantly variable transmission (CVT) of my 2003 Audi A4 cabriolet 1.8t with just 86,000 miles on it is faulty, and has caused my vehicle to stall out on four occasions, twice while attempting to come to a stop at a stop sign and while parking, and twice while operating the vehicle while accelerating at a speed of 35 and 60 MPH, on a city road and once while attempting to merge onto the interstate. The vehicle must be restarted to drive, and has just barely sputtered back to life in my four experiences so far. Audi is aware of the problem, and has settled a class action lawsuit in the past, although the settlement expired more than two years ago leaving owners like myself on the hook for costly repairs, and left with an unsafe vehicle in the mean time. …
I bought an used 2003 Audi A4. I put it in reverse and it would not engage. Then the dash where the gears show what gear you're in started flashing. It showed a p0706 code. This happens so often that one of these times I am going to cause an accident. The car has over 100,000 miles on it, but how can it be my fault that the other owners did not take it in to get this well known module repair fixed. When I am parked flat I can usually get it in reverse after 4-5 times of trying. But...when I am on any slant it takes at least 10 times of trying almost to the point of getting out and pushing it in reverse myself!! One of these days I am going to hit a car behind me trying to get out of my parking spot!! I know there was a recall and I'm just wondering why a current owner of the car that obviously is doing this can't get it fixed as there was a recall.
My 2003 Audi A4 cabriolet has the infamous p0706 code, which is a error code indicating the failure of the transmission control module. In my case, my Audi slips while reversing and causes a hazard when I am reversing, especially while in a tight or cluttered spot. It also has the prnd blinking due to the defective transmission control module. Many other Audi a4s with CVT transmissions have had this failure, which has LED to a lawsuit. I received a recall letter that stated I would be able to get a free repair, but I was refused because my car had over 100000 miles on it, but the problem occurred long before that. I need to get this problem fixed. Thank you for your time.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Audi A4. While driving at 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal became stuck to the floorboard of the vehicle. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal had to be lifted with her foot for it to go back to normal position. The failure recurred on three occasions. While at a complete stop and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle would jerk. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
2003 Audi A4 with 6 speed CVT transmission. There is a known issue with the transmission in this vehicle. While driving the car it shifts from first to second very fast even if you ease down on the accelerator, the car lunges forward and jerks. I have came close on several occasions to hitting the car in front of me . I have read several sites including the Audi and volks wagon forums and there are also many complaints with exact same issue. This is a safety issue Audi should correct.
On January 28, 2019 I was driving to my medical appointment at 35 miles per hour when my car froze up then bucked and now no longer the transmission will no longer engage. Upon research Audi has known of this transmission having serious faults and that it will break down without warning. Audi has refused to do any recall on these transmissions, even after a class action that was settled, Audi will not do any recall.
2003 Audi A4 3.0 cabriolet convertible started shifting rough and hesitant and shut off, cranked back up went into limp mode and all the shifting gear lights came on r n d 2 , barely made it back home, put code reader on car had a lot of codes on it I reset codes but rnd2 lights still on , possible bad TCM?
Audi introduced the continuously variable transmission (CVT) to new automobiles about 2003. The CVT was touted as a highly reliable transmission in Audi sales brochures with less moving parts. The transmission contains a transmission control module (TCM) which fails early. I took my car in while under warranty with claims of the transmission "hopping" and Audi took no action to correct. My car now has 150,000 miles on it and the TCM has failed completely. Upon reviewing several Audi forums, I have learned that this problem is extremely common and Audi has not acknowledged the problem. Many people with similar Audi's in year and with the same transmission have experience the failure. The fix is to have new TCM's installed at a cost of approximately $2,500, which requires the removal of the transmission to replace the TCM. …
Stopped at stop light in rush hour traffic. Light turned green. Attempted to accelerate- but car just jerked and rocked back and forth and then rolled backward- almost rolling into car behind me. Had to call 911 to redirect traffic and get a tow truck. 2nd incident occurred on 7/12/14: picked car up from service shop. Driving home in rush hour traffic. Stalled at traffic light. Restarted car and it was able to move, but wouldn't shift. Had to make an illegal u-turn to get out of traffic and was able to pull off the side of the road. 3rd incident occurred on 8/12/14: pulling out of driveway and car stopped shifting. Stalled in driveway. Had to get towed and was found to have "no problem" as car was operating when arrived at the service shop. 9/9/14- driving to work in rush hour traffic. Going 35mph up a hill and car stopped shifting. …
My vehicle is an Audi A4 3.0. I originally purchased in 6/2003. On multiple occasions, when I have put the car in reverse the car begins to buck/shake violently for several seconds until I press on the brake put the car back into park. I have taken it to the Audi dealership to address this problem on several occasions while it was under warranty and they were unable to diagnose the problem. Most recently, at the beginning of this year. However, last week as I was returning home, smoke began to come out of the engine. I brought it to Audi service and I was told today that my transmission was leaking and was dripping onto my catalytic converter which was the cause for the smoke. However, I am now no longer covered by my warranty. It seems like the CVT transmission on this car is prone for failure after 50,000. …
Transmission complaints in other A4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2003 Audi A4?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2003 Audi A4, 20% of the model year's 210 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Audi A4 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 5% 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.