2003 Audi A6 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2003 A6 most often report fuel system problems, split between fuel tank leaks on the driver side under the rear seat and fuel pump failures that stall the engine. Transmission complaints, particularly around the CVT in some models, and repeated ignition coil failures are the next most common themes, and several complaints describe low-profile tires failing at the sidewall.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel tank leak and gasoline smell

   • 13 complaints (20%)
   • median 108,789 mi at 9.5 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2007–2021

   Owners describe smelling gasoline and finding fuel dripping or pooling under the rear of the car, especially after filling the tank. Several say the leak appears when the tank is more than half or three-quarters full and that fuel stains or wetness shows near the top of the tank on the driver side, under the rear seat. Complaints mention the rollover valve or a crack or damaged nipple on top of the tank as the source. Some owners report that a dealer attributed the leak to a prior accident or said the specific valve was not covered by an existing campaign. Mostly reported between roughly 40,000 and 150,000 miles, often noticed after refueling.

   Recall 11V267000Recall 08V157000

   What to check: Fill the tank and then look and smell for fuel around the driver-side rear wheel area and under the rear seat, and ask whether any fuel tank recall work was performed and for documentation.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The gas tank or components of the tank are leaking gas when more than a small amount of gas is put into the tank. Gas leaks all over the ground from the tank and the cabin fills with gas fumes. My 18 son has been driving this car and I will not allow him or anyone else to drive the car now. After reading online that many people have this same problem, I am shocked that this is not a recall when it could be potentially life threatening and that Audi wants to charge 3k to lower the tank and repair.”

   NHTSA complaint #11405748, filed 2021-03, 150,000 miles

   “I own a 2003 Audi A6 quattro 4.2l which I bought used and have driven it since 2004. On october 27, 2010 I started smelling gas and after checking found a leak at the base of the gas tank. I checked the web and found out that there is a recall on other sub-models. I called Audi USA who contacted a dealer I chose to fix the problem. But the dealer is saying that although the recall problem exists it is due to an accident which happened 6 or 7 years ago. I think this is not fair. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10363917, filed 2010-11
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shudder, hesitation and CVT failure

   • 9 complaints (14%)
   • median 59,900 mi at 7.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2003–2014

   Complaints describe shuddering or juddering when accelerating or coming to a stop, hesitation when pulling away from a stop, and occasional rollback on an incline. Some owners report the transmission slipping out of gear, failing to engage reverse, or stopping entirely, with the PRND display blinking and the check engine light on. Several say the dealer topped off fluid, applied a software update, or recommended or performed transmission replacement, and in some cases the problem returned. Reported from very low mileage (under 10,000 miles) up into the 100,000-mile range, with several complaints from the first few thousand miles.

   7 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive the car from a cold start and check for shudder or hesitation on takeoff and when slowing to a stop, scan for transmission fault codes, and ask whether the transmission or fluid service has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have had numerous problems with my 2003 Audi A6 CVT transmission. The entire transmission had been replaced recentley, but the slipping out of gear problem continues with new one. The san diego Audi dealers have told me that they cannot find the problem, but have told me to let the transmission fail completely again and they will replace it under warranty again.”

   NHTSA complaint #10114032, filed 2005-03, 24,393 miles

   “Failure to accelerate. I experience major delays in any acceleration immediately after I have depressed the brake (at any speed) and then try to reaccelerate. I understand that this is a common complaint among all Audi tiptronic owners regardless of engine type. It is not, as Audi tries to say, turbo lag. In almost every failure to date, I have almost been involved in an accident due to this problem. Had other drivers been less attentive, I most surely would have been struck. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10043066, filed 2003-10, 3,200 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Ignition coil failure and coil overheating

   • 6 complaints (9%)
   • median 76,650 mi at 7.2 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2006–2011

   Owners report rough running, shaking after startup, flashing check engine lights and misfire codes traced to failed ignition coils, sometimes with more than one coil failing one after another. A few complaints describe smoke and flames from a coil pack under the hood, requiring the car to be shut off and towed. Complaints mention dealers replacing coils individually and one owner seeking reimbursement under a service action. Spread from around 20,000 to roughly 125,000 miles, with no single mileage window dominating.

   What to check: Ask whether all ignition coils have been replaced and when, look for a history of repeated misfire repairs, and have any check engine codes read on a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving my 2003 Audi A6 3.0 quattro on thursday 04/03/2008 around 10:30pm. I was traveling 25mph on sylvan avenue in englewood cliffs, nj the check engine light illuminated on my dash board and started flashing, I immediately pulled over to the side of the road to diagnose the problem, when I pulled over I saw smoke coming out from under the hood of my car. I immediately turned of the vehicle and popped the hood to see what was going on... …”

   NHTSA complaint #10223446, filed 2008-04

   “Letter from Audi customer complaint reimbursement service action regarding ignition coil inspection/replacement letter dated july 2009 was received and still waiting for Audi of america inc. To notify me if parts are available at the local dealer and since then have not heard from them. Please look into this matter. Thanks”

   NHTSA complaint #10310486, filed 2010-02, 68,000 miles
4. 4
   Tires

   Low-profile tire sidewall failure

   • 6 complaints (9%)
   • median 12,500 mi at 2.3 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2004–2007

   Complaints describe OEM low-profile tires with sidewalls that crack, bubble, blow out or puncture, often after minor contact with a curb while parking. Several owners report repeated failures and tire replacements over short periods, and one describes a highway failure with a shredded belt. Owners say tire shops and the dealer could not identify a cause beyond the tire design. Mostly reported on the original tires at low mileage, often under 15,000 miles.

   What to check: Inspect all four sidewalls for cracking, bulging or repair marks, check tire age from the date code, and consider that period-correct low-profile tires may be due for replacement regardless of tread.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I now drive an Audi A6 with pirelli p/6 tires. I have had 5 blow-outs in the past 19 months. The sidewalls are either paper thin or non-existent. I have been driving for over 40 years and haven't had 5 flat tires in that time. These tires are dangerous and should not be allowed to be put on cars that drive on regular streets. I have notified the dealer new country Audi of greenwich, ct. The sales manager said didn't the salesperson tell you you had to be careful with these tires? What kind of an answer is that?”

   NHTSA complaint #10068212, filed 2004-05

   “- the contact owns a 2003 2003 Audi A6 quarto. While driving 65mph on the highway the contact heard a low bumping sound. The vehicle then started to pull to the right. The vehicle was taken to the dealership and they informed the contact that both front tires steel belts were completely shredded. The road conditions were clear. There weren't any pot holes nor other road hazards visible. The failure mileage was 12000 miles on the kumho ecsta asx tires. The vehicle currently has 44800 miles.”

   NHTSA complaint #10185503, filed 2007-03, 48,400 miles
5. 5
   Fuel system

   Fuel pump failure causing stalling

   • 6 complaints (9%)
   • median 54,000 mi at 3.9 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2006–2011

   Owners describe the engine sputtering, losing power or dying while driving, sometimes in traffic or at highway speed, and being unable to restart. Diagnosis in the complaints points to a failed fuel pump, with one owner noting that tapping on the pump briefly got it running again. Several owners state the dealer told them their vehicle was not covered by the fuel pump recall that applies to other A6 models. Reported from around 35,000 miles up to about 110,000 miles.

   Recall 07V375000Recall 06V017000

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel pump has been replaced and whether the vehicle's VIN was included in the fuel pump recall, and be alert to any hesitation or hard starting on a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2003 Audi A6 quattro sputtered, choked and died as I tried to pull into traffic. The vehicle did restart and then did the same thing as I tried to pull out onto another road, and completely failed. Vehicle had to pushed out of traffic and to the side of the road with assistance, then towed to nearby garage. Diagnosed that fuel pump was cause of failure. Mechanic said they could tap on the fuel pump to get it to run, which confirmed that it was the cause of failure. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10266590, filed 2009-04, 66,193 miles

   “On december 18, 2011 I was driving down the road and my vehicle stalled. I had my car towed to the local Audi dealer and was told that it needed a new fuel pump. I conducted an internet search and discovered that my Audi had been part of a recall and I asked the local dealer if the recall repair had ever been conducted, they told me that my vehicle was not part of a recall. They told me that only Audi a-4's were part of the recall. However, the NHTSA website shows a letter dated july 23, 2007 sent from volkswagen of america, inc. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10440535, filed 2011-12

Buying note. The 2003 A6 is an older car where fuel system work on the tank and pump shows up repeatedly in complaints, so paperwork showing recall completion and any pump or tank repairs is worth asking for. A pre-purchase inspection that includes a fuel smell check, transmission fault-code scan and tire condition review is a reasonable baseline for this model year.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 58 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.