general problems of the 2003 Audi A4

Nine problems related to power train have been reported for the 2003 Audi A4. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Audi A4 based on all problems reported for the 2003 A4.

1 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 01/28/2019

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.

2 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 08/30/2018

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. Audi should recall all Audi A4 1. 8t cvt transmissions from 2003 to 2006 and permentantly solve the problem before someone is seriously injured.

3 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 09/02/2017

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.

4 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 07/01/2017

Car stuck in limp mode and car will jump at certain speeds.

5 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 08/03/2015

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.

6 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 04/04/2015

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.

7 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 06/10/2014

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/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/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. Car was still moving (slowly) and I was able to pull into a residential driveway to get out of traffic. Car would not move after restarting. Tow truck came and towed to service center. All issues related to faulty cvt transmission that Audi is aware of, but will not take responsibility for due to the car being over 10 years old (it was 10 years 6 months at the first incident). I have contacted Audi USA to discuss these safety concerns with the car stalling in traffic and possible recalls that should be issued, but they have offered no assistance.

8 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 04/06/2011

The car probably has faulty tcu, because transmission would sometimes jerk if going from complete stop and pressing gas pedal (even lightly). The car at first wouldn't go, then all of the sudden and unexpectedly would accelerate. I believe this is common in Audi, and they should fix that.

9 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 06/01/2005

The vehicle is an Audi A4 3. 0 (non-quattro). I have experienced on multiple occassions the following. . . . . . When the car is started and the car is placed in reverse, the vehicle begins to buck violently. If I was parallel parked, I would have hit the car in front of me and in back of me or possibly a person. I know for sure there are other people that have experienced this same dangerous problem as I have seen it on Audi message boards. This problem has been happening for quite some time now. No one seems to know what to do since the situation is hard to repeat at will.



Safety Ratings of A4 Cars
Fuel Economy of A4 Vehicles
A4 Service Bulletins
A4 Safety Recalls
A4 Defect Investigations