2003 Audi RS6 Problems
- Complaints
- 43filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 44,500miles, 40 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 16 mpgcombined, 4.2L 8-cyl 4WD/AWD · 14 city / 20 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Audi RS6 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 43 consumer complaints for the 2003 Audi RS6. The part named most often is suspension, with 31 complaints (72% of the total), followed by fuel system (7) and transmission and drivetrain (3). 40 of the complaints include a mileage, and 63% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 44,500 miles. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 52 technical service bulletins for this model year. Suspension complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the tank assembly and 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Suspension31 72%
- Fuel system7 16%
- Electrical system1 2.3%
- Tires1 2.3%
Example complaints
Suspension: “My 2003 Audi RS6 has suffered its 5th drc failure in 4 years as front shock absorbers once again leaked fluid out resulting in dangerously improper handling. If I hadn't known what was happening it could cause one to think that the race tuned suspension was working and that aggressive driving in this 450 horsepower car could have resulted in a fatal accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #10224147, filed 2008-04, 46,000 milesFuel system: “Fuel tank leak from tip over valve. There is a recall on it. Audi recall 20l8/jy was performed on 5/16/2012. But the valve started leaking again recently. I called Audi of america (aoa) they had me take the car to austin north Audi dealer for confirmation and taking photos. After the dealer confirmation they denied my request to cover the fuel tank replacement. Their reason was: car is too old, I am second owner, and there is no brand loyalty (this is my first Audi). …”
NHTSA complaint #11056824, filed 2017-12, 59,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “Transmission would occasionally slip to such an extent that when merging into traffic I had to pull to the shoulder as I couldn't accelerate. This is an expensive car that has much more power than most vehicles so under normal operations acceleration should be quick & fast. This first started with only 35~40,000 miles on the car. All RS6 owners begin to learn that the only two week points in the car are the suspension and the transmission. Thanks to the NHTSA the vehicles were finally recalled for suspension failures. Now we are left with a substandard transmission design. …”
NHTSA complaint #10418252, filed 2011-08, 50,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
63% of the 40 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 32,775 and 56,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2003 Audi RS6 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RS6 4WD/AWD | 4.2L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 14 | 20 | 16 | $5,150 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 11V267000May 3, 2011Fuel system, other › Storage › Tank assemblyCovers: Audi RS6 2003, A6 2001–2004, S6 2002–2003
Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 audi a6, model year 2002-2003 s6 and model year 2003 rs6 vehicles equipped with 4.2l engines and manufactured from june 19, 2001, through june 8, 2004. The aging of the plastic material in the fuel tank…
- 04V133000Mar 18, 2004Electrical systemCovers: Audi RS6 2003, A6 1998–2004, S6 1998–2004 +1 more
On certain passenger vehicles, if a driver's knees push against the knee bolster (crash element) located under the dashboard, it can contact the headlight switch wiring harness, and an electrical short could occur.
Recall details for the 2003 Audi RS6 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 52 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10243930Oct 4, 2023Equipment. This bulletin provides information on the additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries.
- 10198567Jun 25, 2021Equipment, Body and structure. This informational bulletin explains how to order replacement VIN plates, Safety Certification Labels, etc.
- 10127856Jul 31, 2017Exterior lighting. This informational bulletin contains technical information for when there is condensation visible on the inside of the headlight, taillight, fog light, side marker light, front turn signal, daytime…
- 10155644Jun 28, 2017Equipment. This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.
- 10128350May 10, 2017Engine. This informational bulletin contains all the the Audi Oil Quality Standards that should be used when doing an oil change.
- 10128222Mar 3, 2017Equipment. Due to increasing requests for high voltage personal protective equipment (HVE PPE) for dealer technicians working with high voltage vehicles (Hybrid, Plugin Hybrid, Electric Vehicle), the…
- 10128009Oct 19, 2016Wheels. This information TSB provides information regarding the correct way to torque adjust a wheel bolt.
- 10058584Jul 1, 2015Engine. Audi: engine, on some vehicles, would run irregularly or have malfunction indicator lamp (mil) on or possible filter element for camshaft adjustment valve can loosen and in oil circuit, there is no…
- 10228302Dec 10, 2014Equipment. High quality media files (video and sound) are now integrated into technical service bulletins on a case-by-case basis. Media files can now be viewed on any smartphone or tablet.
- 10224981Dec 10, 2014Equipment, Electrical system. High quality media files (video and sound) are now integrated into technical service bulletins on a case-by-case basis. Media files can now be viewed on any smartphone or tablet.
Other model years of the Audi RS6
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 43 | 44,500 | 2 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Audi RS6 have?
NHTSA recorded 43 consumer complaints for the 2003 Audi RS6 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Audi RS6 is reported most often?
Suspension is named most often, in 31 complaints (72% of the total), followed by fuel system with 7.
Has the 2003 Audi RS6 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Audi RS6 get?
The EPA rates the 2003 Audi RS6 (RS6, 4.2L 8-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Audi RS6 reported?
Among the 40 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 44,500 miles and the middle half falls between 32,775 and 56,000 miles; 63% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.