Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2003 Audi A4: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2003 Audi A4, most recently filed August 2007. Owners have filed 210 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel system.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
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Recalls (3)

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2003 Audi A4. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2003 Audi A4. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 07V375000 Filed Aug 28, 2007

FUEL PUMP

Fuel system, gasoline · delivery · fuel pump
Official NHTSA text
Summary
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.8L TURBO, 2.8L V6, OR 3.0L ENGINES, A CHANGE IN THE ELECTRICAL MOTOR COMPONENTS IN THE FUEL PUMP CAN LEAD TO AN INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP AND, ULTIMATELY, STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO STALL.
Consequence
IF FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE IS INTERRUPTED, THE VEHICLE COULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND THUS PRESENT A POTENTIAL RISK OF CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 28, 20007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-222-8987 OR AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834. THIS RECALL IS A SUPPLEMENT TO A PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN (PLEASE SEE 06V017).
Repair progress not yet reported34,358 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 07V375000
Listed for 2003 Audi A4. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 06V017000 Filed Jan 23, 2006

FUEL PUMP

Fuel system, gasoline · delivery · fuel pump
Official NHTSA text
Summary
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM SEPTEMBER 2002 - MARCH 2003, EQUIPPED WITH 1.8L TURBO, 2.8L V6, OR 3.0L ENGINES, A CHANGE IN THE ELECTRICAL MOTOR COMPONENTS IN THE FUEL PUMP CAN LEAD TO AN INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP AND, ULTIMATELY, STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO STALL.
Consequence
IF FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE IS INTERRUPTED, THE VEHICLE COULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND THUS PRESENT A POTENTIAL RISK OF CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-222-8987 OR AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
Repair progress not yet reported74,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 06V017000
Listed for 2003 Audi A4. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 05V096000 Filed Mar 15, 2005

XENON HEADLAMPS

Exterior lighting · headlights
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD AFFECT A DRIVER'S FIELD OF VIEW, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Repair progress not yet reported9,965 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 05V096000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (210)

210 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The fuel system is mentioned most often.

10involved a crash
6involved a fire
12injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Audi A4, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 210.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2003 compares with other A4 years

Best and worst A4 years →
1999200020012002200320042005200620072008
This year (2003)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 23 mpg combined

23
mpg combined
20
city
28
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,550
CO₂ tailpipe
386 g/mi
EPA class
Subcompact Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,840per year
$237per month
652gallons a year

Miles ÷ 23 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2003 Audi A4 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
1.8 L 4-cyl · CVTFront-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23$3,550386
1.8 L 4-cyl · CVTFront-Wheel Drive20 / 27 / 23$3,550386
1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive20 / 29 / 23$3,550386
3 L 6-cyl · CVTFront-Wheel Drive18 / 25 / 21$3,900423
3 L 6-cyl · CVTFront-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 21$3,900423
1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 21$3,900423
1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 21$3,900423
1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 21$3,900423
1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 21$3,900423
3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive16 / 24 / 19$4,350468
3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive16 / 24 / 19$4,350468
3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 18$4,550494
3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 18$4,550494

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2003 A4 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All A4 years

Where to next

2003 Audi A4 FAQ

How many recalls does the 2003 Audi A4 have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 07V375000 (fuel pump), 06V017000 (fuel pump), 05V096000 (lighting). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2003 Audi A4 problems?

Owners filed 210 complaints with NHTSA. Fuel system (45), Power train (43), Electrical system (32) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2003 Audi A4 get?

EPA rates the 1.8 L 4-cyl · CVT version at 20 city, 28 highway and 23 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2003 A4 compare with other years?

Among the 1999–2008 Audi A4 model years at least five years old, the 2000 drew the fewest complaints (96) and the 2006 the most (298). The 2003 drew 210. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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