Owners have filed 18 complaints
about the 2003 Audi Allroad with NHTSA between 2004 and 2021.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 5 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 47
Against the median year of the Audi Allroad. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 19
11% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2003 Audi Allroad
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
527.8%
Median failure at 55,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
422.2%
Median failure at 2,000 miles
Body & Structure
211.1%
Median failure at 60,000 miles
Seat Belts
15.6%
Wheels
15.6%
Tires
15.6%
Fuel & Propulsion
15.6%
Median failure at 167,000 miles
Suspension
15.6%
Median failure at 94,000 miles
Airbags
15.6%
Median failure at 135,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
15.6%
Median failure at 106,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
111.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
111.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
222.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
222.2%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
222.2%
150,000+ miles
111.1%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Aug 2004peak 3Dec 2021
NHTSA investigations into the 2003 Audi Allroad
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE08008Opened 31 Jan 2008Closed 30 May 2008FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
FUEL TANK LEAK
VOLKSWAGEN (VW) IS RECALLING CERTAIN VW PASSAT 4MOTION AND AUDI A6 QUATTRO AND ALLROAD QUATTRO ALL-WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER CARS.VW VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL WERE MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 22, 2000 THROUGH MAY 31, 2005 AND AUDI VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2, 2001 TO JUNE 1, 2005.THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER FOR THE VW VEHICLES IS 08V-156 (VW ALSO IS CORRECTING DEFECTS RELATED TO HEAT SHIELD AND FUEL LINE HAZARDS FOR THESE VEHICLES AND FOR 1999-2000 PASSATS IN THIS RECALL ACTION.)THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER FOR THE AUDI VEHICLES IS 08V-157.SINCE 2006, ODI HAS RECEIVED 17 COMPLA...
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Fairfax, CA
POWER TRAIN
During recent heavy rains, all of a sudden the car's transmission that had been working fine, after having been parked briefly pointing slightly down hill, no longer functioned properly, and had apparently gone into "LIMP Mode". after talking with Mechanics and doing research, we checked the carpet areas and determined and documented the car's interior was very wet, both in front and in the rear areas, with evident moisture and corrosion under the battery and cabin air filter areas and rear wheel well area. The Transmission no longer shifts properly and the car is not able to be safely driven. Apparently there is a well known design flaw in the Audi C5 A6 vehicles where multiple drains frequently fail. apparently there are 2 very hard to access drains under the battery, under the battery tray, and also the cabin air filter seal to the sidewall is prone to failure. I'm told that there is a "soft" NTSB Audi Recall on this. Please advise.
NHTSA complaint #11444216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairfax, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY
During recent heavy rains, all of a sudden the car's transmission that had been working fine, after having been parked briefly pointing slightly down hill, no longer functioned properly, and had apparently gone into "LIMP Mode". after talking with Mechanics and doing research, we checked the carpet areas and determined and documented the car's interior was very wet, both in front and in the rear areas, with evident moisture and corrosion under the battery and cabin air filter areas and rear wheel well area. The Transmission no longer shifts properly and the car is not able to be safely driven. Apparently there is a well known design flaw in the Audi C5 A6 vehicles where multiple drains frequently fail. apparently there are 2 very hard to access drains under the battery, under the battery tray, and also the cabin air filter seal to the sidewall is prone to failure. I'm told that there is a "soft" NTSB Audi Recall on this. Please advise.
NHTSA complaint #11444216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairfax, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
During recent heavy rains, all of a sudden the car's transmission that had been working fine, after having been parked briefly pointing slightly down hill, no longer functioned properly, and had apparently gone into "LIMP Mode". after talking with Mechanics and doing research, we checked the carpet areas and determined and documented the car's interior was very wet, both in front and in the rear areas, with evident moisture and corrosion under the battery and cabin air filter areas and rear wheel well area. The Transmission no longer shifts properly and the car is not able to be safely driven. Apparently there is a well known design flaw in the Audi C5 A6 vehicles where multiple drains frequently fail. apparently there are 2 very hard to access drains under the battery, under the battery tray, and also the cabin air filter seal to the sidewall is prone to failure. I'm told that there is a "soft" NTSB Audi Recall on this. Please advise.
NHTSA complaint #11444216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairfax, CA
POWER TRAIN
please see prior form submission re transmission...please confirm receipt of earlier entry.
NHTSA complaint #11437851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 135,000 milesFairfax, CA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI ALLROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING CLOCK SPRING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000.
NHTSA complaint #11396848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 167,000 milesWaltham, MA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE FUEL TANK HAS DEVELOPED A LEAK ON ITS OWN. I FILLED MY CAR THE THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2015. ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2015 THE FUEL GAUGE WAS DOWN A QUARTER TANK. I SMELLED GAS OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. MY MECHANIC TELLS ME THE LEAK IS AT A PLASTIC WELDED NUB ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TANK.THIS IS A PLASTIC FUEL TANK. IF I FILL THE TANK ABOVE THE HALFWAY MARK THIS IS WHEN THE TANK LEAKS. THE CAR IS GOING IN FOR SERVICE ON MONDAY FOR A FUEL TANK REPLACEMENT. I HAVE OPENED CASE NUMBER 150699218 WITH AUDI CORPORATE. THEY WANTED ME TO ALLOW THEM TO TOW THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP AND LET THE DEALER MAKE A DIAGNOSIS. WE WERE DESPERATELY AFRAID THAT THE COST OF THIS WOULD BE EXORBITANT. IT TAKES 10+ HOURS TO GET THE REMOVED AND REINSTALLED. THE TANK IS ABOUT $700.00 WE ARE TRULY AFRAID TO GO TO THE DEALER FOR ANYTHING. WE HAVE AN INDEPENDENT AUDI MECHANIC WE HAVE USED FOR YEARS. AUDI WAS OFFERING TO PAY FOR THE TOW AND THE DIAGNOSIS. WE WERE THINKING AUDI WOULD USE THE EXCUSE OF DISASSEMBLING THE CAR, "FIND THE PROBLEM" AND THEN CHARGE 5 OF THE 10 HOURS TO PUT THE TANK IN. WE DID NOT WANT TO GET STUCK WITH THAT. THIS IS AWHY WE GO TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO IS HIGHLY COMPETENT AND WE TRUST. I WILL KNOW MORE ABOUT THE LEAK ON MONDAY OR TUESDAY . THIS COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10765202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
POWER TRAIN
2003 AUDI ALL ROAD. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TRANSMISSION, SEAT BELTS AND WHEELS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AT TIMES, THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT REACT TO A SUDDEN DEPRESSION OF THE GAS PEDAL. THE RESULTING DELAY IN ACCELERATION COULD RESULT IN A COLLISION DUE TO THE INABILITY TO MOVE THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. ALSO, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE FLAT TIRES, DUE TO WHEEL CORROSION, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF THE AIR SEAL, BETWEEN THE WHEELS AND TIRES.
NHTSA complaint #10449874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
WHEELS
2003 AUDI ALL ROAD. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TRANSMISSION, SEAT BELTS AND WHEELS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AT TIMES, THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT REACT TO A SUDDEN DEPRESSION OF THE GAS PEDAL. THE RESULTING DELAY IN ACCELERATION COULD RESULT IN A COLLISION DUE TO THE INABILITY TO MOVE THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. ALSO, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE FLAT TIRES, DUE TO WHEEL CORROSION, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF THE AIR SEAL, BETWEEN THE WHEELS AND TIRES.
NHTSA complaint #10449874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
2003 AUDI ALL ROAD. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TRANSMISSION, SEAT BELTS AND WHEELS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AT TIMES, THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT REACT TO A SUDDEN DEPRESSION OF THE GAS PEDAL. THE RESULTING DELAY IN ACCELERATION COULD RESULT IN A COLLISION DUE TO THE INABILITY TO MOVE THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. ALSO, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE FLAT TIRES, DUE TO WHEEL CORROSION, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF THE AIR SEAL, BETWEEN THE WHEELS AND TIRES.
NHTSA complaint #10449874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesJamaica, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE OVERHEAT, AUTOMATIC FAN FAILS TO GO ON, THE ENGINE SPILL FUME TO A BLINDING LEVEL WHEN IT BEGINS TO COME FROM BENEATH THE HOOD . HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS SHUT DOWN ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT INCLUDE NEW WATER PUMP NEW RADIATOR NEW AIR CONDITIONING PUMP DID NOT BRING ANY SOLUTION.
NHTSA complaint #10362672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesJacksonville, FL
SUSPENSION:FRONT
AIR SUSPENSION FOR AUDI ALLROAD FAILED. ALL AIR WAS VENTED OUT OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WITHOUT WARNING RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHEN CAR HIT A BUMP/DIP IN THE ROAD. CAR SEEMED TO BOUNCE OFF THE FRONT TIRES AND WAS A VIOLENT COMPRESSION AND REBOUND. I MOMENTARILY LOST CONTROL AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED UNTIL PULLING OVER AND DISCOVERED FRONT OF CAR WAS SITTING ON THE TIRES. I RESTARTED CAR AFTER SEVERAL FAILED ATTEMPTS TO USE THE RIDE HEIGHT LEVELING SYSTEM CONTROLS AND NOTICED ALL THREE RIDE HEIGHT LEVELING LIGHTS FLASHING AND THEN A SUSPENSION LIGHT FLASHING ON OPERATOR CONSOLE THAT WAS NOT LAMINATED UNTIL AFTER RESTART OF CAR. AFTER THE INCIDENT THE AIR COMPRESSOR REPUTEDLY FAILED TO INFLATE FRONT SHOCKS. THIS TOOK PLACE APROX. 2 MILES FROM MY HOME ON WONDER WOOD EXPRESSWAY. IN JACKSONVILLE FL. CAR IS NOW AT RESIDENCE. UN-DRIVABLE. CONTACTING DEALER!
NHTSA complaint #10311290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesBoulder, CO
STRUCTURE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI ALLROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE HAS A DESIGN FLAW. WHEN IT RAINS, WATER ENTERS THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS A SMALL DRAINAGE HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE BATTERY IS LOCATED. DEBRIS AND WATER ENTER THIS HOLE AND DRAINS THE BATTERY. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD AND HAD EXCESSIVE MILEAGE. THE AUDI MANUFACTURER HAD THE SAME RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 07/28/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRAIN HOLES IN THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT WERE BLOCKED. WATER FLOODED THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT THEN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND SHORTED OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSING OVER $3000 IN DAMAGE. UPDATED 07/30/09.
NHTSA complaint #10274267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,000 milesMill Valley, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI ALLROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION COIL WAS FAULTY ON HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED ONE OF THE SIX IGNITION COILS FOR FREE. CURRENTLY, THE OTHER FIVE COILS ARE BEGINNING TO FAIL AND NEED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DOES NOT WANT TO PAY THE REPAIR COST. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
NHTSA complaint #10269728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesMelville, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OF MY 2003 AUDI FADES OUT. THIS MAKE THE INFORMATION IT DISPLAYS HARD TO READ. IT IS SAFETY AND QUALITY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10246407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesEast Meadow, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
MY 2003 AUDI ALLROAD'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS DEAD PIXELS IN THE CENTER INFORMATION DISPLAY. THIS IS ONE OF MANY A6, A4, S6, S4 AND ALLROADS THAT HAS THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10204680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vail, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON THE DRIVERS DISPLAY IS VERY FADED MAKING IT NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE CRITICAL INFORMATION INCLUDING SYSTEM WARNINGS AND GEAR SELECTION. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE, AS CRITICAL INFORMATION IS NOT AVAILABLE TO THE DRIVER. AUDI DOES NOT COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL CAR AND MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED WITH AUDI OF AMERICA. PLEASE ASSIST.
NHTSA complaint #10204683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport, RI
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
FAILURE OF A P-6 PERRELLI TIRE AT 5000 MILES. SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF ALL TIRES AT 20,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10106587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,000 milesWood Ridge, NJ
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAR TOTALLY LOSES POWER WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC, ETC. HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, FEELS LIKE CAR IS GOING TO STALL, ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED A FEW TIMES BECAUSE CAR HAS NO POWER. BROUGHT IT BACK FOR THIS 3 X SINCE LAST OCT. NOTHING WAS DONE, SAME RESPONSE FROM AUDI, NO PROBLEM FOUND. THIS CAR IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN !
NHTSA complaint #10086950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.