2003 Audi A4 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 6%of 210 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Audi A4, 6% of the 210 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,500 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Takata recall I have a 2003 Audi A4 I was sideswiped recently causing significant amount of driver side damage which one of the airbags deployed I'm suffering from the injury”
NHTSA complaint #10863528, filed 2016-05, 40 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Audi A4. While parked, the contact noticed that the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the outside metal of the air bag sensor and circuit board were severely corroded. The contact replaced the air bag sensor. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10455848, filed 2012-04, 105,000 miles“Our brand new 2003 Audi A4 was rear-ended by a ford f-550 traveling at approx. 55 MPH. The ford f-550 did not brake before impact and hit the Audi with such force that it impacted the vehicle immediately in front which hit that vehicle in front of it. All were stopped for a traffic light. My wife, the only occupant and driver, had to be cut out of the Audi. She suffered permanent brain injury as a result of hitting the rear-view mirror and windshield. She also suffered numerous other injuries. She hit the steering wheel with such force as to bend the bottom of the wheel inward. My complaint... …”
NHTSA complaint #10135100, filed 2005-09“The contact stated while driving 45 MPH on a city street, the passenger side airbag deployed without warning. The passenger was wearing a seat belt, but minor injuries were sustained. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who determined the factory stereo wiring was entangled with the airbag wiring which resulted in the airbag deployment. The manufacturer was not alerted.”
NHTSA complaint #10173561, filed 2006-11, 70,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Audi A4. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds and switching lanes, another vehicle driving at high speeds crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The other vehicle then spun around and crashed into the front of the vehicle impacting the drivers side and the front passengers side. The air bags did not deploy. The rear passengers seat belt restrained a child passenger tightly who then received ash marks and light abrasions from the impact. The drivers head hit the steering wheel that cause extensive head aches that required medical attention. …”
NHTSA complaint #10864155, filed 2016-05, 120,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10161273Jun 7, 2019This bulletin contains instructions for additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries (airbag/seatbelts, accidents, fire and overheat damage).
- 10121414Dec 10, 2013Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 69 number 08-11 dated December 10, 2008. The airbag warning lamp is illuminated in the instrument cluster. DTCs are stored in the…
- 10068132Dec 10, 2013Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10054866Dec 10, 2013Audi: the connector between airbag and seat harness has a sporadic high resistance due to airbag warning lamp being illuminated in instrument cluster, even though side airbag…
- 10016565Mar 31, 2005Airbag lamp on, upper limit of side airbag exceeded. To include a4 2006.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 10% |
| 2022 | 1 | 17% |
| 2021 | 1 | 9% |
| 2019 | 1 | 10% |
| 2018 | 4 | 9% |
| 2017 | 13 | 23% |
| 2015 | 1 | 5% |
| 2013 | 1 | 4% |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% |
| 2009 | 33 | 28% |
| 2008 | 116 | 66% |
| 2007 | 119 | 61% |
| 2006 | 73 | 25% |
| 2005 | 54 | 25% |
| 2004 | 26 | 14% |
| 2003 | 12 | 6% |
| 2002 | 8 | 4% |
| 2001 | 11 | 8% |
| 2000 | 6 | 6% |
| 1999 | 8 | 4% |
| 1998 | 16 | 6% |
| 1997 | 3 | 3% |
| 1996 | 6 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2003 Audi A4
51 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
43 complaintsElectrical system
32 complaintsExterior lighting
23 complaintsVehicle speed control
22 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
20 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsTires
6 complaintsEquipment
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Audi A4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology