2003 AUDI A4 Electrical System Problems
18 NHTSA complaints on file
Electrical System Issues in the 2003 AUDI A4
18 electrical system complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 AUDI A4. Of these, 0 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 0 resulted in injury.
18
Complaints
0
Crashes
4
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
All Electrical System Complaints
Water pump failed inside lights sometimes work and signal lights aren’t accurate
Radio intermediate goes out hitting bumps speedometer stopped working the number ninth digit is not pulling up when I search vehicle information Replaced engine vehicle only had 20,000 miles
Left turn signal works fine. Right turn signal alternates between flashing left and right.
The coolant light came on after I replaced coil packs and I stopped to look wasn't leaking anywhere. Drove to work and it caught on fire due to overheating I guess not really sure. I was driving a car on fire down a highway and didn't even know it. I stopped to take a left turn into work and smoke stared billowing out and around the entire car. Other drivers couldn't see me or nothing I could have been in an accident. The fire department checked the car out sort of and it's in a mechanics shop now. Trying to figure it out. Oil light was on and that's it. AN then the coolant light would kick on and off. Nothing else after I changed the coil packs. And it was well after I did that.
INITIALLY DROVE CAR HOME FROM GROCERY STORE HIT A BUMP AND NOTICED A SPARK COMING FROM FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF CAR. PULLED OVER AND CHECKED FOR SPARK EVIDENT ONCE STOPPED THERE WAS NO SIGN OF SPARK OR ANYTHING. GOT CAR HOME AND PARKED ABOUT AN HOUR LATER MY CAR WAS ON FIRE, AFTER PUTTING THE FIRE OUT MY HUSBAND LIFTED THE HOOD AND TRIED TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE WHEN HE DISCOVERED THE BATTERY WAS MELTED TO THE HOOD AND IS WHERE THE FIRE INITIALLY CAUGHT. THE LOCATION OF THE BATTERY WE BELIEVE TO BE THE ISSUE AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE TO REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY. *TR
AFTER RETURNING HOME FROM A DRIVE THROUGH FAST FOOD PLACE LAST NIGHT MY DAUGHTER WAS PARKING IN OUR DRIVEWAY, SHE WAS IN REVERSE. THE CAR (A 2003 AUDI A4 CV CONVERTIBLE) BOUNCED AND MADE A SOUND THEN SHE STOPPED. I SAID TAKE THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION TO HER BLACK SMOKE STARTED TO RISE OUT OF THE TOP OF THE HOOD CRACK IN FRONT OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. I TOLD HER TO GET THE DOG IN OUR BACK SEAT AND HERSELF OUT I ASSUMED IT WAS ON FIRE BECAUSE THE DARK SMOKE. I GRABBED MY PURSE PIPED THE HOOD AND MY DAUGHTER CALLED 911 AS THE NEIGHBORS RAN INSIDE THERE HOME FOR A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. TWO MEN FROM ACROSS THE STREET ATTEMPTED TO PUT IT OUT AS I SPOKE TO THE 911 OPERATOR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND GOT THE FIRE OUT. MY CAR IS NOW JUNK. MY DAUGHTER...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, VARIOUS ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS OF THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,003.
HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT AND BLOWING THE BALLAST CAUSING HEADLIGHT NOT TO WORK AT ALL. REPLACED THIS EXPENSIVE PART MULTIPLE TIMES AND STILL BREAKS. NOT A CHEAP PART AND A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
FAILURE OF IGNITION COILS ON AUDI A4 1.8 TURBO ENGINE. *TR
CAR LEFT HEADLIGHT FAILURE (HID/XENON). FAULT NOT WITH BULB OR FUSE. *TR
FORGOT TO INSTALL C CLIP ON TEMP SENSOR ON RADIATOR HOSE WHICH POPPED OUT CAUSING MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE AND BLOWN HEAD GASKET WHICH WAS DENIED FOR MANY MONTHS. IN OCT. 08 THEY FORGOT TO TIGHTEN BRACKET WHICH CAUSED WIRES TO SMOKE AND FIRE.AUG 08-TRIMMED SERPENTINE BELT RATHER THAN REPLACED AND CAR STOPPED RUNNING IN MIDDLE OF INTERSTATE. SEPT 09 REPLACED OIL PAN BUT FORGOT TO PUT PLUG BACK OCT 08 OIL RESIDUE ON DAMPER THEY THREW OUT AND DID NOT REPLACE. THEY FORGOT TO PUT BOLTS BACK ON SUB FRAME AND MIRACLE I WAS NOT KILLED. THIS CAUSED AXLE PROBLEMS. WHEN THEY REPLACED BOLTS THEY DID NOT HAVE BUSHINGS IN STOCK AND THEY RELEASED CAR WITHOUT THESE BUSHINGS WHICH IS A SAFETY VIOLATION. WHEN BUSHINGS CAME IN THEY REFUSED TO WORK ON OUR VEHICLE AND WE HAD TO GO TO DIFFERENT MECHANIC. THEY TOLD US WE NEEDED TIMING BELT WHEN...
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER IN THE FOOT WELLS ON BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN HE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT HAYWIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WAS FLOODED DUE TO CLOGGING OF THE INTAKE PLENUM DRAIN GROMMET. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE IT CLEANED IN ORDER TO PREVENT FUTURE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR HIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,342. UPDATED 8/7/09 *CN UPDATED 08/11/09.*JB
I OWN A 2003 AUDI A4 1.8 . I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE WHILE ADJUSTING MY CAR TO THE SPACE, THE ENGINE CUT OFF AND WHEN I TURNED THE KEY TO RESTART THE ENGINE NOTHING HAPPENED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER ONLY TO BE TOLD IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. WHEN I WAS TOLD THIS I IMMEDIATELY WENT ONLINE TO RESEARCH WHAT COULD CAUSE THIS ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP. I CALLED THE NUMBER GIVEN FOR THE RECALL ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NOT ONE ON THE RECALL LIST. I THEN WENT ON LINE TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ONLY TO FIND THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL WITH FUEL PUMP COMPLAINTS AND WAS GIVEN THE SAME REASON. THE CAR COULD HAVE CUT OFF IN...
ENGINE BOX FLOODS AFTER DRIVING THROUGH LONG DISTANCES IN HEAVY RAIN. RESULTS IN CAR THAT WILL NOT RUN AT ALL (NEEDED TO BE TOWED) DIAGNOSIS IS THAT THE ENGINE BOX FLOODS FROM INSUFFICIENT DRAINAGE FROM THE COWL WHICH THEN SHORTS OUT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AND TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (BASICALLY THE CAR'S COMPUTER CENTER) THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED (BOTH AFTER DRIVING THROUGH DIFFICULT RAIN STORMS) THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS IN OCTOBER OF 2005, AND IT TOOK NEARLY 6 WEEKS TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR. REPAIR WAS DONE BY AUTHORIZED AUDI DEALER THAT ORIGINALLY SOLD ME THE CAR. THE FINAL BILL WAS NEARLY $5000. THEY INSISTED IT WAS A FLUKE AND HAD ME MAKE AN INSURANCE CLAIM TO COVER THE REPAIRS AS FLOOD DAMAGE. I MADE A FORMAL COMPLAINT TO AUDI AT THAT TIME SINCE IT IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW. (SOMEONE THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED...
1.THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE: AUDI A4S HAVE AN INTAKE PLENUM DRAIN GROMMET LOCATED NEAR THE BATTERY; THIS FUNNEL IS KNOWN TO BECOME CLOG DUE TO DEBRIS AND GRIME. THE DRAIN GROMMET ON MY VEHICLE BECAME CLOGGED SOME TIME AGO AND I DID NOT BECOME AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM UNTIL THE FUNNEL STOPPED WORKING AND ALLOWED WATER TO DRAIN INSIDE MY CAR. THIS CAUSED MY COMFORT MODULE TO FAIL - MY POWER WINDOWS, POWER LOCKS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, KEYLESS REMOTE ENTRY, ALARM, TRUNK, BATTERY AND GAS TANK LID CEASED TO FUNCTION. 2.THE FAILURE, HOW OFTEN IT OCCURS, ITS CONSEQUENCES; AND, AUDI OF AMERICA KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS PRETTY COMMON IN THE 2003 AUDI A4'S. IF YOU DO A SEARCH ABOUT IT ONLINE, MANY CONSUMERS ARE AFFECTED BY THIS CLOGGED DRAIN GROMMET. UPON DOING MORE RESEARCH, I WAS SHOCKED TO LEARN THAT THE 2002 AUDI A4 MODELS...
IGNITION COILS HAVE GONE OUT 2 TIMES ALREADY. FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED ON MAY 29,2007, SECOND HAPPENED IN AUGUST OF 2007. *TR
I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 03 AUDI A4T QUATTRO IN JUNE OF 03. THE DEALER IS GREAT AND THANK GOD THEY VALUE THEIR CUSTOMERS BECAUSE MY CAR HAS GIVEN THEM ALOT PRACTICE ON EVERYTHING. I THINK GERMANY SENT US A DUD! SINCE BUYING THE CAR I HAVE NEEDED VARIOUS ITEMS REPLACED: A NEW COMPUTER, (REPLACED BY THE DEALER), A NEW FUEL SYSTEM WAS NEEDED BECAUSE MY CAR STALLED IN THE LEFT LANE OF A HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE (LATER RECALLED BY AUDI BUT AFTER I NEEDED TO BE TOWED AND HAVE THE CPMPONENT FIXED ALONG WITH OTHER ITEMS SUPPOSEDLY ATTACHED TO THE SYTEM), AND MOST RECENTLY 2 SEPARATE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE NOT YET BEEN FIXED BUT HAVE OCCURRED WITHIN 1100 MILES OF EACH OTHER. FIRST DIAGNOSIS OF THE NOISE AND SHIMMY WHILE DRIVING WAS TIRE BALANCE AND LATER RACK AND PIN STEERING AND AFTER ALL THAT...
AUDI A4 2003, THE CLUTCH FAILED AT 30,000 MILES, BUT AUDI REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNTIL IT WAS COMPLETELY UNDRIVABLE. I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE IT WAS CATEGORIZED AS WEAR AND TEAR, THUS NOT COVERED BY AUDI'S LEAST. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THE FUEL PUMP ALSO FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE JACK BROKE WHILE CHANGING A FLAT TIRE AND I WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAD HAPPENED TO OTHER AUDI OWNERS, BUT STILL HAD TO PAY THE DAMAGE TO THE PLASTIC SIDING OUT OF POCKET. *JB
Other 2003 AUDI A4 Problem Areas
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
27 complaints
Exterior Lighting
18 complaints
Power Train
18 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
18 complaints
Fuel System Gasoline
15 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control
15 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling
13 complaints
Electrical Systemignition
12 complaints
Air Bags
10 complaints
Structure
9 complaints
Visibility
8 complaints
Engine
7 complaints
Fuelpropulsion System
7 complaints
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
7 complaints
Tires
5 complaints
Electronic Stability Control Esc
3 complaints
Equipment
3 complaints
Exterior Lightingheadlights
3 complaints
Power Trainclutch Assembly
3 complaints
Power Trainmanual Transmission
3 complaints
Steering
3 complaints
Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly
3 complaints
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher
3 complaints
Air Bagsfrontal
2 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
2 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
2 complaints
Fuel System Other
2 complaints
Fuel System Otherdeliveryfuel Pump
2 complaints
Steeringcolumn Lockinganti Theft Device
2 complaints
Structurebodyroof And Pillars
2 complaints
Structureframe And Members
2 complaints
Unknown Or Other
2 complaints
Wheels
2 complaints
Electrical Systemignitionmodule
1 complaint
Electrical Systemwiring
1 complaint
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
1 complaint
Equipmentmechanicalaccessory Scissorscrewbottle Jacklift
1 complaint
Equipmentmechanicalintegrated Jacklevelerstabilizer
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingbrake Lights
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingturn Signal
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryhoses Linespiping And Fittings
1 complaint
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
1 complaint
Parking Brake
1 complaint
Power Trainaxle Assemblyaxle Shaftseal
1 complaint
Power Traindriveline
1 complaint
Seat Beltsfront
1 complaint
Seats
1 complaint
Seatsfront Assemblyseat Heatercooler
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
1 complaint
Steeringcolumn
1 complaint
Steeringrack And Pinion
1 complaint
Steeringrack And Pinionrack
1 complaint
Structurebody
1 complaint
Suspension
1 complaint
Suspensionfront
1 complaint
Suspensionfronthub
1 complaint
Tiressidewall
1 complaint
Visibilityglass Siderear
1 complaint
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
1 complaint
Visibilityrear Window Wiperwasher
1 complaint
Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevicesexterior
1 complaint
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwashermotor
1 complaint
Visibilitywiper
1 complaint