2003 Audi A6 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 15%of 66 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,925miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Audi A6, 15% of the 66 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,925 miles.
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.
“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. I am hesitant to pull out into any volume of traffic with this persistent problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10043066, filed 2003-10, 3,200 miles“Transmission started to shudder and sometimes the transmission does not goes to neutral when the car is stopped, engine revs and it is difficult to stop. Prnd display on dashboard is blinking. Check engine light is on. Fault code shows failure on transmission control module.”
NHTSA complaint #10473165, filed 2012-08, 105,000 miles“Failed ct emissions test. Check engine light illuminated. Confirmed code to be p0741. Informed by authorized technician that the torque converter requires replacement.”
NHTSA complaint #10643907, filed 2014-10, 120,120 miles“Car completely stopped in the middle of highway and car behind almost hit me. Transmission failed suddenly. It had to be replaced. Recurring problem with Audi A6 3.0 2003 CVT.”
NHTSA complaint #10320034, filed 2010-03, 59,900 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10226530Jun 3, 2014ATF pan leaks
- 10210680Jun 3, 2014As the sump pan gasket settles, the torque of the bolts decreases and the seal may leak. Automatic transmission fluid is leaking at the sump pan gasket.
- 10122418Jun 3, 2014Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 37 number 11-19 dated January 31, 2011. Automatic transmission fluid is leaking at the sump pan gasket. As the sump pan gasket…
- 10212703May 29, 2014Vehicle lacks power or will not move after stop due to simultaneous depressing of the brake and accelerator pedals
- 10226529May 28, 2014Vehicle lacks power or will not move after stop due to simultaneous depressing of the brake and accelerator pedals
- 10210679May 28, 2014This condition may be caused when the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal are depressed simultaneously. Drivers who drive with their left foot resting on the brake pedal are…
- 10122465May 28, 2014Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 37 number 13-07 dated May 29, 2013. Customer states that the engine returns to idle speed of approximately 1,400 RPM although the…
- 10123551Jun 19, 2013Audi is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty to 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle?s original in-service date for certain MY2002 through…
- 10032188Aug 5, 2009Audi: switching on the headlights causes a low voltage, which leads to the failure of the diagnosis signal of the gear lever circuit board. The tcm recognizes a fault in the gear…
- 10032412Jun 15, 2009Audi: vehicle will not move in any gear. Atf pump border bushing may fail and cause a loss of oil pressure. The atf pump is incorporated in the valve body. The pump is not a…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 14% |
| 2021 | 2 | 11% |
| 2019 | 15 | 13% |
| 2018 | 1 | 9% |
| 2016 | 5 | 10% |
| 2015 | 1 | 5% |
| 2014 | 1 | 2% |
| 2013 | 2 | 4% |
| 2012 | 8 | 13% |
| 2011 | 1 | 5% |
| 2009 | 1 | 5% |
| 2008 | 3 | 4% |
| 2007 | 3 | 6% |
| 2006 | 3 | 4% |
| 2005 | 3 | 3% |
| 2004 | 1 | 3% |
| 2003 | 10 | 15% |
| 2002 | 10 | 11% |
| 2001 | 14 | 12% |
| 2000 | 8 | 5% |
| 1999 | 12 | 6% |
| 1998 | 2 | 2% |
| 1997 | 1 | 5% |
| 1996 | 2 | 4% |
| 1995 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2003 Audi A6
21 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsTires
6 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Audi A6
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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