- The problem
- On certain passenger vehicles equipped with halogen low beam headlights, certain connector pins in the headlight switch connector come into contact with each other causing a short circuit. Note: vehicles with xenon low beam headlights are not affected because the circuit in these vehicles contains a fuse, which precludes excessive current flow in the case of a short circuit. Audi s6 and s6 avant vehicles are all equipped with xenon low beam headlights and, therefore, are not longer affected by this recall.
- The risk
- This condition could lead to overheating or fire.
- The fix
- Dealers will reroute the wiring harness by installing a jumper wiring harness. The recall began on december 16, 2006. Owners may contact audi at 1-800-822-2834.
Electrical system
2003 Audi A6 Electrical problems
Owners have filed 14 complaints about the 2003 Audi A6's electrical system with NHTSA - 20% of all its complaints, most recently on October 10, 2014. They describe 0 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries. Dead batteries, warning lights, wiring, alternators, infotainment and electronic module failures.
- Complaints
- 14
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Electrical recalls for the 2003 Audi A6
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- A fire could originate in the left dashboard area.
- The fix
- Dealers will install a protective covering on the knee bolster (crash element). In addition, the wiring harness as well as the felt protector on the left side of the dashboard carrier will be checked, and replaced if necessary. The recall began on july 26, 2004. Owners should contact audi at 1-800-822-2834.
Electrical complaints
Failed ct emissions test. Check engine light illuminated. Confirmed code to be p0741. Informed by authorized technician that the torque converter requires replacement. *Tr
At times when driving the car the acceleration becomes slow and it stalls with a jerk like it's going to just stop also, when the car is put in reverse gear it will not move. I am stuck. The prnd flashing on the dashboard. I become afraid because this can cause serious accidents.
The fire started under dashboard as I was driving. I stopped the car in the middle of the road and quickly jumped out the car when saw a flame. This was the most freighting experience in my life. *Tr
On may 3, 2013, I was driving on the expressway at approximately 10mph. Suddenly, I began smelling smoke. I thought the smoke was coming from nearby trucks. However, soon after, smoke was profusely coming through my glove compartment. I pulled over, turned the car off, and exited the car. About 5 minutes later, this vehicle engulfed in flames, beginning with the hood! The wind shield then shattered approximately 3 minutes later. By this time, the fire department arrived and battled the fire approximately 20...
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minutes. There was no previous sign that car service was necessary. Furthermore, according to the dealer and dmv, 3 months ago, there was a clean emissions at the time of purchase. *Tr
Brake light switch failure. Had it fixed, but the problems seems to be not in the brake light switch itself, but the wiring or sockets to the switch. Used same switch, but soon as car is turned off and turned back on, switch tends to work only for a couple of days and abs system shows up again with no brakes lights at all. Took to audi dealer in which they said that there has been many problems within this system. But to totally fix the problem would run anywhere from 700.00 To 1200 dollars on a 35.00 To 45.00 Part. No brakes could lead to serious accidents not knowing that your brakes lights are actually out. Please please recall this issue on all audi's.
2003 A6 quattro avant 3.0 Car ran fine driving to work. When leaving at end of day, started car and it ran very rough I decided to reverse back into parking space and at that point noted smoke coming from under hood (car had run for approximately 20 seconds). Turned off engine, opened hood, and found the drivers side rear coil pack burning. Extinguished flame using a baseball cap to smother it out. Coil pack continued to smoke and reignite due to burning inside coil pack. Jammed screwdriver into pack to root...
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out flame. Had car towed to audi dealer - awaiting repair. There is an active recall campaign for bad coil packs (28f2 / j1) - recall states check engine light may come on and car will run rough, further recommends returing vehicle to dealer at that time. There is apparently two ways the pack can fail - a fault on the high voltage end just bypasses the spark to the engine block causing a misfire. A fault at the low voltage end results in a short and most likely a fire. This potential for fire is understated by audi and shoud be clearly identified in the recall campaign to ensure the right urgency is placed on this issue. The fact is, I was able to react and extiguish the fire, had this occured in other circumstances the car would most likely have completely burned. *Tr
2003 Audi a6. Consumer states problems with gauge cluster *tgw the consumer stated the warning gauges no longer functioned and the multi-function liquid crystal display does not indicate readable information. *Jb
2003 Audi a6. Consumer seeks reply for request for reimbursement *tgw the check engine light illuminated. The consumer took the vehicle to a nearby reputable mechanic who replaced the ignition coil. The consumer is seeking reimbursement, since audi issued a voluntary campaign stating they would replace for free if needed. *Jb
Brake lights have stopped working. Along with abs, traction & stability control. *Tr
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 *tr
2003 Audi a6 had problems with the engine light, smoking, and little to no acceleration. Consumer states that after a few repairs the problem is not solved and wants to be refunded her money. *Nj the dealer informed the consumer the #1 and #3 coil needed to be replaced. The consumer drove less than a mile and the check engine light came back on blinking and the vehicle was moving very hard. When the consumer returned to the dealer, they diagnosed the vehicle again, the consumer was told the #6 ignition coil...
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needed to be replaced. Because no one ever test drove the vehicle when it was suppose to be fixed the first time, the dealer replaced the #6 coil for free. The consumer left the dealership again only to have the engine light come again, but it wasn't blinking. The dealer diagnosed the failure and stated it was the torque converter clutch circuit performance. *Jb
The led portion of the instrument cluster fades out on hot days making the gear selection indicator (prnd321) shown in the display unreadable. This is a safety issue because the driver needs to know what gear that transmission is in at all times and a fading display leads the driver to guess rather than know. This fading started three years ago and has gotten progressively worse with time. It only happens on hot days when the car is parked or driven in the sun. We have lots of sunny days in california! *Tr
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... I popped the hood to find the ignition coil on the third cylinder...
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(back left cylinder) had started on fire with about 12inches of flames. Thank god this all happened I about 30 seconds and I was able to get the fire out, otherwise the whole car would have burned to the ground. If I was stuck in traffic or on the highway this car would have most definitely burned to the ground. I feel very lucky my two year old daughter was not in the car with me. Nevertheless, the ignition coil is completely melted as well as the wiring harness. I always have done all the manufacturer recommendations on the vehicle and the car was just at the dealer service center on 04/01/2008 for maintenance, I had them look over the whole car and they said everything was fine. After speaking to service technicians at audi I have found this to be a commonly recurring problem with their ignition coils, specifically pertaining to the third cylinder, they claim it overheats because the design is to close to the catalytic converter. All I know is something should be done, I have pictures of the damage where you can clearly see some type of electrical malfunction that I would be more then willing to share. Please someone do something before a life is lost from this manufacturer error.!!! *Tr
Faulty ignition coils (so far 3 out of 6 cylinders went bad). On three occasions after starting and putting the car into the gear, shaking ensued and the "check engine" light turned on. The car had to be towed each time to the dealer where the faulty parts were replaced. *Jb
Audi A6 electrical complaints by year
A6 electrical problems, every yearSource: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data