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Vehicle safety record

2003 Audi A8 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 8 complaints about the 2003 Audi A8 with NHTSA, most often about the transmission & drivetrain (2) and the lights (2). It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in August 2008 for the automatic transmission. For comparison, the 2002 has 8 and the 2004 has 0.

NHTSA data checked

BFewer problems than a typical A8 year, for its age

#243 most complained-about 2003 vehicle

Complaints
8
Recalls
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Most common 2003 Audi A8 problems

Share of all 8 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2003 Audi A8 recalls 1

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Power train: automatic transmission

08V39700013,900 vehicles affected

The problem
Volkswagen is recalling 13,900 my 1996-2003 audi a8 vehicles equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission. The locking cable may move out of position over time. With the locking cable out of position, the shifter can be moved out of the "park" position even if the ignition key is not in the ignition lock.
The risk
This could allow the vehicle to roll, causing a crash without warning.
The fix
Dealers will modify the automatic transmission locking cable by installing an adjusting piece that will secure the locking cable in place. The recall began on september 12, 2008. Owners may contact audi at 1-800-822-2834.

What owners say

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8 complaints about the 2003 Audi A8

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Suspension

Rear drivers coil spring failed, broke in half causing suspension to fail and damage rim/tire. Serious condition if driving at highway speeds. No warning of the failure prior. *Tr

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 10444891
Transmission & drivetrain

The car has had problems with: cv joints, control arms and needed a new transmission. Now there is a recall on the transmission cable. *Tr

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10245714
Transmission & drivetrain

A hard turn and quick acceleration to avoid an accident lead to power failure to the wheels, and the check engine light came on. I brought the car to the dealership and the code read "slipping torque converter" the car had only 79,000 miles at the time of this occurrence. Thankfully no one was injured. Audi repair facility told me the torque converter needs to be replaced, the cost would be $900.00 For the part and $2,000.00 For labor. The repairs have yet to be made due to the extensive price for a faulty part and labor. The part is not covered under warranty. *Tr

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10212502
Steering

My 2003 audi all road has a continual pull to the right. It will not drive straight for more than 5-8 seconds at a time, on most road surfaces. I have taken the car in for repairs four times in 3400 miles. Each time the car was out of alignment and had to be adjusted. The service manager suggests that the car is performing to factory specifications, but it still has a pull to the right. *La

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 10041665
Wheels & tires

The sidewall ruptured on a goodyear wrangler f1, 225/55r17 tire. *Jb

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 10041107
Engine & cooling

While driving, the vehicle experienced an explosion and check engine light illuminated and there were loud noises coming from under the vehicle and parts of the vehicle were on the ground. The car then was towed to the dealership, and they claimed the vehicle was involved in some type of impact which caused the explosion to occur, and audi was not responsible for damages. The dealership failed to find the proper reason for explosion. The consumer had to purchase a rental car at her own expense to have a vehicle. *Mr *cb *jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10034081
Lights

The blinding bright headlights on some new cars are dangerous. I flash my brights at them thinking that is the problem. If car manufacturers continue to put them on new cars, will they be liable for accidents caused by the blinding light? *Jb

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10023228
Lights

Please add my name to the list of drivers that are adamantly opposed to the new blue/purple headlights many of the new luxury cars are featuring. The light is piercing and a danger to night time traffic. These new lights are even distracting during daylight. I believe that cars equipped with these blue/purple headlights should be recalled and the headlights replaced. They are a definite hazard to other vehicles. *Nlm

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10023131

Audi A8: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20074200AirbagsB
20066200Acceleration & cruise controlC
20056101Acceleration & cruise controlB
20040100-A
20038100LightsB
20028100Wheels & tiresB
200117210Transmission & drivetrainD
20008201Wheels & tiresC
199912401Body, doors & structureD
All A8 years

2003 Audi A8 vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2003 Audi A8

Does the 2003 Audi A8 have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2003 Audi A8: automatic transmission (August 2008). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Audi A8?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the transmission & drivetrain (2), lights (2), steering (1).

How many complaints has the 2003 Audi A8 had?

8 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on June 16, 2003 and the latest on January 23, 2012. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2003 Audi A8 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 61 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Audi A8 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Audi A8 years have the most complaints?

2013 (50), 2015 (32), 2014 (18). See every Audi A8 year compared.

What should I do if my 2003 Audi A8 has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: 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

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