Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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 problem that I have is when it rains. All four doors fill with up water. When I open any door a quart or more pours out of each door, door sills are always wet. In the winter, water freezes on the door sills and can't open door or have trouble (can't drive the car if I can't get in it!) took the car to the dealer to get it fixed. They told me the car is to Audi spec.'s and did nothing! Called Audi customer relations and they are doing nothing and also I have been waiting for a manager to return my phone call for a week now. I have left several messages, still no return phone call (great Audi severce!). From this water damage the mirrors are not responding to their hold positions and I'am also afaid from all the moister in the doors that the electronics we start to corrosion process and who pays for that in the long run? …
I purchased this car on 1/24/07 with 22,422 miles on it. Six days later the engine light was flashing, it was shaking unbelievable, would not run properly, go over 20 MPH. I returned it to the dealership I purchased it from, they replaced a coil pack. Within a short time, on February 14, 2007, the engine light had come back on. At that point I brought it to the nearest Audi dealer. It needed a turbo bypass valve replaced. Friday, March 9, 2007 the engine light had come on again. I brought it to the Audi dealer once again. They reset the engine codes and say it has had a random misfire. Today, March 11, 2007 the engine light is flashing again, and will not drive over 20 MPH. I am having it towed to the dealer in the morning, today is Sunday and they are not open for business. I drive about 1,000 miles a week and I need my car operational. …
Bought a 2003 Audi A4 cabriolet in 2005. 6 months later, rear window in 2003 Audi A4 detached from convertible top causing rear leather seat to rot and tear due to rain water leaking through the detached window. Tried to have the window reattached by an Audi dealership referred detailing company, adhesive did not hold and I was told the car would need a new roof. The dealership I bought the car from, don rosen Audi of conshohoken, pa nor Audi will take any responsibility for the detached window or provide payment for repairs.
2003 Audi A4 cabriolet has had numerous issues, failure of door gasket seal which destroyed plc, resulting in horrible sound safety issue, cost over $2K to fix, failure of cv joint which could cause wheel to fly off, failure of rear glass window that could come loose hurting other vehicles or passengers of car; car has less than 70K miles, was bought new and is garaged. Audi America should reimburse owners for these numerous, (and apparently inevitable, judging by what I've read and heard from other owners) problems.
2003 Audi A4 3.0 quattro. The car has problem with outside mirrors. Both mirrors aren't adjust to its position that is set in memory. Everytime the car was used by my spouse, I have to manually readjust both mirros instead of automatically adjust by what was programmed in memory. More over, the driver outside mirror just change it position after 1 or 2 days of driving. It is very scary and unsafe I feel everytime when I drive the car with a worry that the mirror isn't in its position that I set.
Vehicle comes equipped with a sports rim that leaves the brake rotors exposed to ice and snow. If the vehicle is not warmed up for 10 minutes there is a glaze of ice on the rotors. This causes brake failure, and results in extended stopping distance. The dealership cannot duplicate the problem, and indicated that the brakes were fine. Also, at 70 MPH the windshield washer pump failed to function. This was due to salt in the road which caused the washer to seize.
Audi A4 windshield washer pump suddenly does not work. I brought the vehicle to the dealership and I was told there is a known problem with the washer pump and it happens frequently. However, there isn't an official recall so they will not replace it. It will just keep ruining the fuses unless I buy another washer pump which will ultimately just break again... If this is a known problem and a frequent issue why isn't there a recall?
200 Audi A4 convertible. Rear window has separated from roof appears as if the glue is dry rotted? Miles 49K garage kept, hand washed.... Found info on-line regarding several other owners experiencing this problem Audi of America refuses responsibility while Audi Germany accepts full responsibility. This is a safety hazard. I'm afraid the window will fall out while on the highway.
2003 Audi A4 cabriolet, the car is practically new, only driven in summer months. The rear window has separated from the roof, apparently the window is only sealed to the roof with a layer of glue. The window can fall out at anytime as a result of the glue loosening. The only alternative is a completely new roof.
My Audi a 4 convertible headlight lenses deteriorated so badly that it significantly affected my night driving. Plastic became cloudy (not condensation) and gray, adversely affecting the headlight effectiveness.
Window & Wiper complaints in other A4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2003 Audi A4?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2003 Audi A4, 10% of the model year's 210 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Audi A4 window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 29% 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.