2003 Audi A4: check engine light

Filed Aug 7, 2015 · Electrical · 200,003 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 audi a4. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, various electrical functions of the vehicle shut off and the steering wheel seized. The engine warning light illuminated. The failure occurred once. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,003.

Filed Jan 8, 2009 · Transmission · 65,000 miles · FL

I purchased the vehicle in september 2002. In october 2003, the transmission suffered a massive failure and required a complete replacement under warranty. Around july 2007 the check engine light came on and the "prnd" indicator on the dashboard started flashing. Champion audi in pompano beach, florida diagnosed the problem as a defective transmission control module (TCM). Despite my demands, the audi dealer refused to fix the defective part, and wanted to charge me upwards of $2500 to replace the TCM. My independent (and aaa approved) repair facility recently confirmed the TCM requires replacement. Bottom line: the transmission could fail, again, at any time. The transmission has been a problem from the beginning and audi needs to step up to the plate and replace the TCM at no charge. My research indicates that TCM failure is a common problem on audis. Audi is aware of these issues yet refuses to do the right thing.

Filed Dec 4, 2008 · Engine, Lights · 71,000 miles · SC

I have had numerous problems with my a4. First, my headlight shorted out and cost over $600 because it fried all the electrical wires and I had to get a new headlamp setting and wires. Even after replacing the computer has a lightbulb signal light that it is not sending the correct ampage. The power steering leaks continuously and makes noises also. The check engine light has came on and the motor is running very bumpy like almost like it is mis-firing or something. And last but not least, the transmission is not running correctly. When I put it into reverse it stalls and will not go. I put it in to neutral, then reverse again and it slowly catches sometimes. Now the check engine light is flashing and I have had my car sitting for a few days after all this suddenly appeared. I am saving money to try to get this fixed. I am afraid that the engine will stall or I wont be able to turn due to the steering and crash so it is inoperable at this time.

Filed Sep 29, 2008 · Transmission · 72,300 miles · OH

Hello a recall notice came in for my 03' audi a4 for etc sensor.(70k miles) took the car into dealer got it fixed. A week later or so check engine light came on and car was dead in its tracks. According to the dealer and two mechanics shops, its the transmission. Dealer price on transmission was 7,558.00 total. Owe my goodness...... Car is worth about that. Since then I have been trying to locate a used or a rebuild transmission but their is not much of a difference in price because the transmission is so hard to fix and parts are very expensive that no one wants to deal with the car at all. Not to mention the difficulty that requires to replace this type of transmission for my vehicle model. Special tools and programming. Called nearby states with no luck finding a rebuild transmission. Also audi does not make them anymore, making them even harder to find. I have been searching on the internet for the past 3 weeks trying to find some information on this type of vehicle and the transmission problem and I came across the same story from many audi a4 owners. This is not a driver problem but a design flaw. Transmission is not fixed because I can't afford 7.5k for a new one that will give out in about 50k again. This is not right and something should be done about this. When the car started to shake tremendously in the middle of turning onto a ramp to enter the highway I could of cause an accident easily. Through out blogs and website advice, their are countless number of people with the same problem. The transmission seems to give out right about 50-85k miles. I hope you can help.

Filed Apr 23, 2008 · Engine · 35,600 miles · FL · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 audi a4. While driving 38 MPH, the check engine soon light illuminated and the entire vehicle began shaking. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealer, but has not yet been diagnosed. The contact also noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. He checked the vehicle and discovered an engine leak. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they informed him that the vehicle had been repaired; however, the contact does not believe that anything was done to the vehicle. An independent mechanic stated that the shaking was due to the motor mount. The current and failure mileages were 35,600.

Filed Jan 7, 2008 · Electrical · 69,061 miles · IL

On three separate occasions my 2003 a4 (1.8t) started shaking violently as I accelerated from a complete stop. Every time it happened the check engine light came on, the car lost most all of its power and was difficult to steer, and wouldn't get above 15 MPH. And every time it happened I was stranded in the middle of traffic, having to coax the car over to the side of the road and out of harm's way. The car was towed each time to the dealership where I was told that an ignition coil (or two) had blown. All 4 coil packs had to be replaced within a year at a cost of over $900. Audi knows they produced cars with faulty ignition coils in a4 cars equipped with 1.8 liter engines in the 2001, 2002, and early production 2003 model years. In february 2003 they announced that they would replace these coils free of charge to the vehicle owners. Although my car is an early production 2003 model, audi USA told me that my car was produced very soon after the range of cars covered in the replacement. Meaning that I was responsible for the cost of all repairs. I do not believe audi is certain their replacement action covered all defective coils, especially as my car was produced in the same time frame as those that were part of the replacement. Faulty ignition coils exist in a far greater number of cars than what audi recognizes and covers in their 2003 replacement action.

Filed Mar 11, 2007 · Electrical, Visibility · 22,000 miles · ME

I purchased this car on 1/24/07 with 22,422 miles on it. Six days later the engine light was flashing, it was shaking unbelievable, would not run properly, go over 20 MPH. I returned it to the dealership I purchased it from, they replaced a coil pack. Within a short time, on february 14, 2007, the engine light had come back on. At that point I brought it to the nearest audi dealer. It needed a turbo bypass valve replaced. Friday, march 9, 2007 the engine light had come on again. I brought it to the audi dealer once again. They reset the engine codes and say it has had a random misfire. Today, march 11, 2007 the engine light is flashing again, and will not drive over 20 MPH. I am having it towed to the dealer in the morning, today is sunday and they are not open for business. I drive about 1,000 miles a week and I need my car operational. I worry each time I drive this car, I have to return it to the dealer almost weekly. It has low miles. Carfax states this automobile has a clean history and is under factory warranty until 6/07. The booklet obtained with the purchase of this car states the 4 yr/50,000 mi warranty became effective 6/03 which would leave the remainder of the fully transferable factory warranty valid until 6/07. The audi dealership will not honor the warranty, saying that it expired 1/31/07. The car now has 29,xxx miles on it and I have had nothing but trouble with it. The sunroof motor also needs to be replaced, as I am told by the dealer, who then told me the motor is $501.

Filed Jan 24, 2007 · Engine · 59,000 miles · NY

Tl- the contact owns a 2003 audi a4. While driving 60mph, the engine light came on, the vehicle began to stall and the speed decreased to 20mph and resulted in a loss of power. The vehicle was towed and the dealer stated that the ingition coils failed. The contact spoke with audi who informed him that they would not pay for the repairs based on a recall.

Filed Oct 31, 2005 · Electrical, Engine · 32,000 miles · OH

Dt: the contact states while driving at 10-15 MPH the engine began to stall, followed by the check engine light. There had been no prior incidents. The vehicle would not accelerate beyond 20 MPH. There was the distinct odor of something burning coming from the engine compartment but no smoke. He pulled over to inspect the vehicle. He could not determine the problem and the vehicle towed to a dealer. The dealer said there was a faulty ignition coil in cylinder three. This was replaced under warranty. The same symptoms later returned at a speed of 55 MPH. There was a significant loss of power and he immediately pulled over. The vehicle was towed back to the dealership. The dealer replaced the ignition coil in cylinder one. He offered no explanation of this ongoing problem. Updated 01/19/06.

Filed Mar 25, 2004 · Electrical · 17,000 miles · MO

In 1/04, during normal driving conditions one evening, my '03 1.8t a4 began shaking violently as I began accelerated from a stop sign. The check engine light came on and I lost a significant amount of power and couldn't accelerate well. The dealer stated that I blew an ignition coil. Not 2 months later, in early 3/04, the same exact situation occured and I had to have another ignition coil replaced. I have learned that the mfr had a product recall for this exact problem, however my vehicle's components are not covered by those under recall. I was told I have the "newer" versions of the igition coils already in my car. While they might be newer, they sure haven't solved the underlying problem! Two blown igition coils in less than 2 months and I can't get the mfr to replace the other 2 coils that I'm certain will go out at some point soon too.