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2003 Audi A6 Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026

69out of 100
Caution

Ranks 17th of 22 A6 years we score.

Owner complaints
68
1 is a recall notice
Per 10,000 cars
28.1
23,808 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car
0.95×
same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes
28
crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls
7
NHTSA crash rating
–
Audi A6, 5th generation (C5) (2000–2004)
← 2002 A62004 A6 →

Should You Buy the 2003 Audi A6?

Only after careful checks. Our reliability score for the 2003 Audi A6 is 69 out of 100, which rates Caution. Owners reported about as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 17th of the 22 A6 years we score.

The most reported problem is fuel tank or fuel lines (12 of 68 complaints). Owners also complain about the ABS and the fuel pump. 28 of the 68 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 7 recalls. Audi also offers a warranty extension that may still apply, for a problem with the transmission. For comparison, the 2002 scores 69 and the 2004 scores 77.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask an Audi dealer about warranty extension AWA-13-04 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

  • No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
  • 1 Audi warranty extension may cover repairs

Cons

  • Fuel leak12 complaints
  • ABS failure7 complaints
  • Fuel pump: stalling6 complaints

How the 2003 A6 Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
ItemVs averagePoints lost
Starting score100
Serious problems0.99×−17
Everyday problems0.85×−7
Problems in the last two yearsNot counted–
Recalls1.8×−7
Score69

Problems in the last two years are not counted for the 2003 A6. If it were exactly average, its 23,808 cars would draw about 0.3 complaints in two years at this age, too few to compare. Their 30% moves to serious and everyday problems, which count for 80% of this score instead of 50%.

What Owners Report

We read all 68 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Audi A6, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first. A complaint that describes more than one problem is counted under each, so the counts add up to more than 68.

  1. Fuel leak

    12 complaints (18%)

    A leak. Median mileage when it started: about 111,000 miles.

  2. ABS failure

    7 complaints (10%)

    A failure, a feature that stopped working and warning lights. 2 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 94,000 miles.

  3. Fuel pump: stalling

    6 complaints (9%)

    Stalling, shattering or cracking and a failure. All 6 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 54,000 miles.

  4. Tires: parts breaking or coming apart

    6 complaints (9%)

    Parts breaking or coming apart, a failure and shattering or cracking. 1 of these 6 complaints describes a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 12,000 miles.

  5. Ignition coils or spark plugs failure

    5 complaints (7%)

    A failure that needed a new part and a fire. 3 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 85,000 miles.

  6. Stall (cause not stated)

    4 complaints (6%)

    Stalling. 3 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.

  7. Taillights or brake lights: stopped working

    4 complaints (6%)

    A feature that stopped working and the system acting on its own.

  8. Transmission: vibration or shudder

    4 complaints (6%)

    Vibration or shudder, harsh or delayed shifts and failure or loss of drive. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome.

  9. Fire (cause not stated)

    3 complaints (4%)

    A fire. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often a fire. Median mileage when it started: about 87,000 miles.

  10. Torque converter: fault code

    3 complaints (4%)

    A stored fault code and surging.

  11. CVT: slipping

    2 complaints (3%)

    Slipping and failure or loss of drive. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.

  12. Check engine light (cause not stated)

    2 complaints (3%)

    Warning lights.

  13. Exterior trim: parts breaking or coming apart

    2 complaints (3%)

    Parts breaking or coming apart.

  14. Fuel system: a leak

    2 complaints (3%)

    A leak and a bad smell. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a tow.

  15. Instrument cluster: works on and off

    2 complaints (3%)

    Problems that come and go and a feature that stopped working.

Show 3 more problems

  1. Stability control (ESC): stopped working

    2 complaints (3%)

    A feature that stopped working.

  2. Steering: vibration or shudder

    2 complaints (3%)

    Vibration or shudder and locking up. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of steering control.

  3. Windshield wipers: stopped working

    2 complaints (3%)

    A feature that stopped working and problems that come and go.

Reported Once (12)

Show the 12 problems reported once
  • A/C condenser: water leaking in
  • Engine: surging
  • Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
  • Fuel gauge or level sensor: wrong readings
  • Loss of power (cause not stated)
  • Noise (cause not stated)
  • Fender: damage
  • Windshield washer system: a leak
  • Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
  • Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
  • Transmission computer: fault code
  • Wiring, fuses or body control module: damage

How the 2003 Audi A6 Compares With Other Years

The other A6 years of the 5th generation (C5), 2000 to 2004, and the years just before and after it.

YearRatingScoreVs averagePer 10k carsRecallsMost reported problem
2005Good720.84×28.13Parking brake: not releasing
2004Good770.51×15.84Fuel leak
2003 This yearCaution690.95×28.17Fuel leak
2002Caution691.0×34.14Fuel leak
2001Good710.77×26.87Brakes: loss of braking
2000Caution671.2×55.54ABS failure
See every A6 year

2003 Audi A6 Recalls

Seven recalls cover the 2003 Audi A6. The most recent was issued in May 2011: “Fuel Tank Rollover Valve.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

  • Fuel Tank Rollover Valve, May 2011

    A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could lead to a vehicle fire.

    NHTSA 11V267000Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 3, 2011.

  • Fuel Tank Rollover Valve, April 2008

    A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could lead to a vehicle fire.

    NHTSA 08V157000Owner letter (PDF)Issued Apr 8, 2008.

  • Fuel Pump, August 2007

    If fuel flow to the engine is interrupted, the vehicle could stall without warning and thus present a potential risk of crash.

    NHTSA 07V375000Owner letter (PDF)Issued Aug 28, 2007.

  • Crossmember Cover/Drivers Side Dash Fire

    Audi S6 and S6 avant vehicles are all equipped with xenon low beam headlights and, therefore, are not longer affected by this recall. This condition could lead to overheating or fire.

    NHTSA 06V198000Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 5, 2006.

  • Fuel Pump, January 2006

    If fuel flow to the engine is interrupted, the vehicle could stall without warning and thus present a potential risk of crash.

    NHTSA 06V017000Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 23, 2006.

  • Vw/Drivers Side Dash Fire

    A fire could originate in the left dashboard area.

    NHTSA 04V133000Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 18, 2004.

Show 1 more recalls

  • Vw/Driver's Air Bag

    On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 3-spoke sport steering wheels, it is possible that the igniter for the driver's side air bag may not have been properly assembled. An improperly positioned igniter will not activate the air bag in the event of a crash.

    NHTSA 02V275000Issued Oct 9, 2002.

2003 Audi A6 Warranty Extensions and Programs

Audi has one warranty extension for the 2003 Audi A6, separate from its recalls. It is for a problem with the transmission. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which an Audi dealer can check.

  • Warranty extensionAudi AWA-13-04

    CVT transmission and control module failures

    The problem:
    The bulletin names no symptom. Under a class action settlement, Audi extended the warranty on parts of the factory CVT transmission.
    The fix:
    An Audi dealer diagnoses and repairs or replaces the covered CVT parts. Which parts are covered depends on the model year.
    Who qualifies:
    Certain 2002 to 2006 A4 and A6 with the factory CVT. Control module: 2003 to 2006. Valve body: 2003 and 2004. Rest of the transmission: 2002 to 2004, only with proof of the owner's manual transmission maintenance.
    Coverage:
    10 years or 100,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
    Audi's bulletin (PDF)

2003 Audi A6 NHTSA Investigations

NHTSA has opened one investigation that covers the 2003 Audi A6. It led to a recall.

  • Fuel leaking from the top of the fuel tank

    Led to a recall

    NHTSA looked into fuel leaking from the top of the tank on 2001-2005 Audi A6 Quattro and Allroad Quattro cars. It had 17 complaints since 2006. A material change in the rollover valve and an inflexible aluminum vent line could crack a valve fitting. Recall 08V-157 has Audi reinforce the valve with epoxy adhesive. NHTSA closed the investigation.

    NHTSA PE08008Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Jan 31, 2008 to May 30, 2008

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2003 A6, from its seven recalls, an Audi warranty extension that may still apply and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Ask an Audi Dealer

Ask whether this warranty extension applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

  • AWA-13-04: CVT transmission and control module failures

On the Test Drive

  • Brake firmly from a moderate speed. A soft, hard or pulsing pedal, or a brake warning light, is a warning sign.
  • Confirm any fuel pump recall was done. Hard starting or stalling is a warning sign.
  • Look for uneven tire wear and listen for clunks or humming that changes with speed.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

  • Fuel tank or fuel lines
  • ABS
  • Fuel pump
  • Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.

Before You Pay

  • Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
  • Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
  • Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All A6 Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Audi may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.