2003 Audi A8 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other A8 years
- Not enough data 20th of 32 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 1 recall: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Audi A8. That ranks 20th out of 32 A8 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is exterior lighting (1 complaints, 33%). There is 1 safety recall covering this model year.
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- 3owner complaints
- 1safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2003 Audi A8 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 33% | — | — | — |
| Power Train | 1 | 33% | 77,690 | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 33% | 130,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2003 Audi A8 recalls (1)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Power train:automatic transmission
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.
Risk: This could allow the vehicle to roll, causing a crash without warning.
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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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
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
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…
Other Audi A8 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 A8 | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 A8 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 A8 | 0 | 2 |
| 2023 A8 | 0 | 2 |
| 2022 A8 | 0 | 3 |
| 2021 A8 | 5 | 10 |
| 2020 A8 | 3 | 5 |
| 2019 A8 | 14 | 3 |
| 2018 A8 | 0 | 2 |
| 2017 A8 | 8 | 3 |
| 2016 A8 | 11 | 4 |
| 2015 A8 | 31 | 5 |
| 2014 A8 | 18 | 5 |
| 2013 A8 | 49 | 6 |
| 2012 A8 | 11 | 1 |
| 2011 A8 | 15 | 1 |
| 2010 A8 | 1 | 1 |
| 2009 A8 | 5 | 1 |
| 2008 A8 | 8 | 1 |
| 2007 A8 | 4 | 2 |
| 2006 A8 | 6 | 2 |
| 2005 A8 | 6 | 1 |
| 2004 A8 | 20 | 1 |
| 2003 | 3 | 1 |
| 2002 A8 | 1 | 1 |
| 2001 A8 | 6 | 2 |
| 2000 A8 | 3 | 2 |
| 1999 A8 | 9 | 4 |
| 1998 A8 | 4 | 3 |
| 1997 A8 | 10 | 2 |
| 1996 A8 | 1 | 2 |
| 1995 A8 | 0 | 1 |
See all Audi A8 problems by year, every Audi model, or the Audi VIN decoder.
Similar Audi models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Audi A8?
Owners most often report exterior lighting, power train, suspension problems. The top one, exterior lighting, accounts for 1 complaint.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Audi A8?
Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2003 Audi A8 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other A8 model years, the 2003 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.