FaultScore

FaultScore report

2003 Audi TT problems

Owners have filed 19 complaints about the 2003 Audi TT with NHTSA between 2004 and 2020. The largest single group is the electrical system. Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 8 worst.

A

FaultScore 10/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Audi TT.

How this is worked out

The numbers

19

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

60,500 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

0%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

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.

Complaint volume 19 vs 50 Severity 0 vs 50 Early failure 0 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 19
Against the median year of the Audi TT. 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 — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2003 compares with every other Audi TT

Click any bar to open that year's report.

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 TT

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Electrical System 7 36.8%

Median failure at 81,500 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 5 26.3%

Median failure at 69,000 miles

Engine & Cooling 4 21.1%

Median failure at 43,077 miles

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 1 5.3%

Median failure at 155,000 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 1 5.3%

Median failure at 41,300 miles

Lights 1 5.3%

Median failure at 155,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

25,000 – 49,999 miles 4 33.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 3 25.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 1 8.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 1 8.3%
150,000+ miles 3 25.0%

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.

May 2004 peak 3 Jan 2020

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 69,000 miles LOS Angeles, CA

POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN CAR IS WARM AND TRANSMISSION FLUID IS WARM/HOT.

NHTSA complaint #11301861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 155,000 miles Milton, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

MY 2003 AUDI TT QUATTRO HAS AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT, HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES REPLACING THE BULB AS WELL AS SWITCH. AFTER LOOKING AT NUMEROUS POSTS, IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A HUGE FAULT BY THE MANUFACTURER OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE. IN MY STATE YOU GET A TICKET FOR A SINGLE LIGHT OUT (NY) AND THIS HEADLIGHT FAILS INTERMITTENTLY EITHER WHEN AT 0MPH OR 60MPH. HUGE SAFETY CONCERN ESPECIALLY IF DRIVING AT NIGHT OR IN THE RAIN, ON TOP OF THE TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10777914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 155,000 miles Milton, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY 2003 AUDI TT QUATTRO HAS AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT, HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES REPLACING THE BULB AS WELL AS SWITCH. AFTER LOOKING AT NUMEROUS POSTS, IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A HUGE FAULT BY THE MANUFACTURER OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE. IN MY STATE YOU GET A TICKET FOR A SINGLE LIGHT OUT (NY) AND THIS HEADLIGHT FAILS INTERMITTENTLY EITHER WHEN AT 0MPH OR 60MPH. HUGE SAFETY CONCERN ESPECIALLY IF DRIVING AT NIGHT OR IN THE RAIN, ON TOP OF THE TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10777914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 155,000 miles Milton, NY

VISIBILITY/WIPER

MY 2003 AUDI TT QUATTRO HAS AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT, HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES REPLACING THE BULB AS WELL AS SWITCH. AFTER LOOKING AT NUMEROUS POSTS, IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A HUGE FAULT BY THE MANUFACTURER OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE. IN MY STATE YOU GET A TICKET FOR A SINGLE LIGHT OUT (NY) AND THIS HEADLIGHT FAILS INTERMITTENTLY EITHER WHEN AT 0MPH OR 60MPH. HUGE SAFETY CONCERN ESPECIALLY IF DRIVING AT NIGHT OR IN THE RAIN, ON TOP OF THE TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10777914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Boca Raton, FL

POWER TRAIN

THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPLACEMENT FOR THE DIGITAL CLUSTER, THERMOSTAT AND COOLING PUMP. THEN I REPLACED THE CLUSTER FOR THE FIRST TIME 9/2011. SAME DAY AFTER PUTTING IN THE NEW CLUSTER THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND REPLACED A FEW DAYS LATER. THE CLUSTER WAS REPLACED AGAIN WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE WOULD NOT MOVE AND STAYED BELOW ZERO. ON THAT SAME DAY I PICK UP THE CAR AND DROVE LESS THAN A MILE AND THE DIGITAL CLUSTER FADED OUT TO A BLANK SCREEN. I TURN AROUND AND TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WAS INFORM THAT THEY WILL ORDER ANOTHER CLUSTER AND CALL ME FOR THE INSTALL WHICH WAS DONE A FEW DAYS LATER. NOW THE DIGITAL CLUSTER IS NOT MAKING ANY WARNING SOUNDS. WHEN I PRESS THE BUTTON MANUALLY TO SEE, IF THERE ARE ANY PROBLEMS IT SHOWED A SERVICE VISIT WAS COMING UP AND THE SYMBOL TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL AND WATER PUMP. THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THIS WAS NORMAL TO SEE WHICH CONTRADICTS THE CAR MANUAL AND ANOTHER AUTHORIZED DEALER IN A DIFFERENT STATE WHOM REPLACE THE COOLING PUMP AND THERMOSTAT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND INFORM THEM THAT THE CLUSTER WAS NOT ALARMING FOR ANY SERVICES COMING DUE OR PROBLEMS AND THE CAR NOW HAS A SLIGHT JERK FORWARD WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKES. THERE REPORT STATED DIFFERENTLY LIKE THE CAR RAN ROUGH, THE PANEL LIGHTS WERE FLASHING AND THE CAR SAT FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. THERE DIAGNOSTIC WAS THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT THE CLUSTER WAS FINE. WHEN I PICK UP THE CAR THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THE CAR WAS STILL IN GOOD SHAPE NO ALARM EXCEPT FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND ITS WAS NOT THAT BAD BUT AFTER I GOT HOME AND VIEWED THE PAPERWORK IT SHOWED EVERY COMPONENT ON THE VEHICLE INSPECTION REPORT NEEDED FURTHER ATTENTION. I PHONED THE NEXT DAY AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THE TECHNICIAN MAY HAVE MADE A MISTAKE.

NHTSA complaint #10463224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Boca Raton, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPLACEMENT FOR THE DIGITAL CLUSTER, THERMOSTAT AND COOLING PUMP. THEN I REPLACED THE CLUSTER FOR THE FIRST TIME 9/2011. SAME DAY AFTER PUTTING IN THE NEW CLUSTER THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND REPLACED A FEW DAYS LATER. THE CLUSTER WAS REPLACED AGAIN WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE WOULD NOT MOVE AND STAYED BELOW ZERO. ON THAT SAME DAY I PICK UP THE CAR AND DROVE LESS THAN A MILE AND THE DIGITAL CLUSTER FADED OUT TO A BLANK SCREEN. I TURN AROUND AND TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WAS INFORM THAT THEY WILL ORDER ANOTHER CLUSTER AND CALL ME FOR THE INSTALL WHICH WAS DONE A FEW DAYS LATER. NOW THE DIGITAL CLUSTER IS NOT MAKING ANY WARNING SOUNDS. WHEN I PRESS THE BUTTON MANUALLY TO SEE, IF THERE ARE ANY PROBLEMS IT SHOWED A SERVICE VISIT WAS COMING UP AND THE SYMBOL TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL AND WATER PUMP. THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THIS WAS NORMAL TO SEE WHICH CONTRADICTS THE CAR MANUAL AND ANOTHER AUTHORIZED DEALER IN A DIFFERENT STATE WHOM REPLACE THE COOLING PUMP AND THERMOSTAT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND INFORM THEM THAT THE CLUSTER WAS NOT ALARMING FOR ANY SERVICES COMING DUE OR PROBLEMS AND THE CAR NOW HAS A SLIGHT JERK FORWARD WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKES. THERE REPORT STATED DIFFERENTLY LIKE THE CAR RAN ROUGH, THE PANEL LIGHTS WERE FLASHING AND THE CAR SAT FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. THERE DIAGNOSTIC WAS THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT THE CLUSTER WAS FINE. WHEN I PICK UP THE CAR THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THE CAR WAS STILL IN GOOD SHAPE NO ALARM EXCEPT FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND ITS WAS NOT THAT BAD BUT AFTER I GOT HOME AND VIEWED THE PAPERWORK IT SHOWED EVERY COMPONENT ON THE VEHICLE INSPECTION REPORT NEEDED FURTHER ATTENTION. I PHONED THE NEXT DAY AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THE TECHNICIAN MAY HAVE MADE A MISTAKE.

NHTSA complaint #10463224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52,000 miles Hayward, CA

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI TT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

NHTSA complaint #10459939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 84,902 miles Wexford, PA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI TT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE TRANSMISSION JERKED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FOR A FEW SECONDS. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25-35 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FIVE TIMES BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO THEN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,902. UPDATED 1/21/11 *CN UPDATED 04/18/11

NHTSA complaint #10366575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles West Nyck, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI TT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENTAL CLUSTER MALFUNCTIONED AND ALL OF THE GAUGES WOULD READ INACCURATE INFORMATION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF AN UNKNOWN RECALL RELATIVE TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WOULD ONLY BE PERFORMED IF THE CONTACT HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #10345280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 41,300 miles Broadview Heights, OH

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE DIGITAL INSTRUMENT PANEL IS FAILING CURRENTLY IT DOES NOT REGISTER THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC CAUSING A DANGEROUS AND HAZARDOUS SITUATION. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR A SIMILAR FAILURE IN THE VEHICLES INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY AND WILL COST IN EXCESS OF $900 FOR THE PART, PLUS LABOR TO REPLACE THE ITEM ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 45,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS ALSO STORED IN A HEATED GARAGE IN THE WINTER SO, ELEMENTS SHOULD NOT BE A FACTOR IN THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE IS MOST LIKELY DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND REPLACEMENT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #10344868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 41,300 miles Broadview Heights, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE DIGITAL INSTRUMENT PANEL IS FAILING CURRENTLY IT DOES NOT REGISTER THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC CAUSING A DANGEROUS AND HAZARDOUS SITUATION. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR A SIMILAR FAILURE IN THE VEHICLES INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY AND WILL COST IN EXCESS OF $900 FOR THE PART, PLUS LABOR TO REPLACE THE ITEM ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 45,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS ALSO STORED IN A HEATED GARAGE IN THE WINTER SO, ELEMENTS SHOULD NOT BE A FACTOR IN THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE IS MOST LIKELY DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND REPLACEMENT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #10344868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brecksville, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

2003 AUDI TT. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND TIMING BELT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL GAUGE AND OTHER COMPONENTS WERE NOT ACCURATE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND TIMING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE WAS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM FOR AUDI'S AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY AUDI. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT GIVEN A RATIONAL REASON FOR THE DENIAL. HOWEVER, AUDI STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP DENIED THE REQUEST.

NHTSA complaint #10340070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brecksville, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

2003 AUDI TT. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND TIMING BELT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL GAUGE AND OTHER COMPONENTS WERE NOT ACCURATE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND TIMING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE WAS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM FOR AUDI'S AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY AUDI. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT GIVEN A RATIONAL REASON FOR THE DENIAL. HOWEVER, AUDI STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP DENIED THE REQUEST.

NHTSA complaint #10340070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 43,000 miles Monroe, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

THERE IS A VERY WELL-DOCUMENTED, WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE AUDI TT DASH PANEL, ONE THAT AUDI HAS NOT SUFFICIENTLY ADDRESSED. FAILURES INCLUDE (1) A FALSE OR NO VEHICLE SPEED INDICATION (2) A FALSE OR NO ENGINE ROTATIONAL SPEED INDICATION (3) A FALSE ENGINE TEMPERATURE INDICATION (4) A FALSE FUEL LEVEL (5) COMPLETE DEACTIVATION OF ENGINE (6) IMPROPER STATUS OF SAFETY FEATURES SUCH AS AIRBAGS, BRAKES, TRACTION CONTROL, ETC (7) IMPROPER OR FAULTY INDICATION OF ONBOARD COMPUTER FUNCTIONS AND DRIVER INFORMATION DISPLAYS. IT IS A SHAME THAT THE US HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO AFFECT A POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM AUDI REGARDING A SAFETY RECALL OF THIS KNOWN, CHRONIC PROBLEM, WHEREAS OTHER COUNTRIES, SUCH AS THE UK, HAVE SUCCESSFULLY LOBBIED FOR ACTION FROM AUDI IN THE FORM OF AN UNCONDITIONAL SAFETY RECALL. HAVING A VEHICLE WITH FIVE OF THE OUTLINED FAILURES OF THE DASHBOARD, I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT AND URGE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE WHAT OTHERS HAVE DOCUMENTED, NOT ONLY IN NHTSA-FILED COMPLAINTS, BUT FROM THE PLETHORA OF OWNERS WHO HAVE INDICATED ISSUES THROUGH OTHER ONLINE SITES.

NHTSA complaint #10221248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stevenson Ranch, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

2003 AUDI TT ROADSTER PROBLEMS WITH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE ARE NOW SAFETY ISSUES RESULTING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE. *KB THE ODOMETER AND TEMPERATURE GAUGES NO LONGER FUNCTIONED. THE CONSUMER HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING THE ENGINE OPERATING TEMPERATURE AND HE ONLY DISCOVERED THERE WAS A PROBLEM AFTER THE DISPLAY INDICATED AN ALARMINGLY HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURE.

NHTSA complaint #10209466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,154 miles Anthem, AZ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ENGINE FAILED. THREW A ROD CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED AT 50,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10145144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,000 miles Vallejo, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

OIL CONSUMPTION OF VEHICLE IS VERY HIGH. FOR THE FIRST 30000 MILES OIL CONSUMPTION WAS NORMAL. NOW THE VEHICLE RUNS LOW ON OIL EVERY 3000 MILES. ADVISED BY AUDI THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICHLE TO BURN 1 QUART EVERY 1000 MILES, BUT AS STATED EARLIER, THIS DID NOT HAPPEN FOR THE FIRST 30000 MILES. ALSO ADVISED BY AUDI TO KEEP A QUART OF OIL IN MY TRUNK. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10093631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Miramar, FL

POWER TRAIN

EXPRESS MAIL FWDING MOTOR VEHICLE DEFECT NOTIFICATION FOR A 2003 AUDI COUPE. *PH THE VEHICLE JERKED AND VIBRATED WHILE IN REVERSE. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED.

NHTSA complaint #10071622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Miramar, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

EXPRESS MAIL FWDING MOTOR VEHICLE DEFECT NOTIFICATION FOR A 2003 AUDI COUPE. *PH THE VEHICLE JERKED AND VIBRATED WHILE IN REVERSE. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED.

NHTSA complaint #10071622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.