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2003 Audi A4 transmission problems

43 complaints (20% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 75,000.

owner complaints
43
of this car's complaints
20%
typical mileage
75,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    18
  • Manual transmission
    3
  • Clutch assembly
    3
  • Driveline
    1
  • Axle assembly: axle shaft: seal
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Audi A4 transmission problems in other years

199620002005201020152022

Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Audi A4 transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

CVT failure 13Jerking 8Won't shift 6Transmission failure 6

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2003 Audi A4 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 12, 2020 · Transmission · 174,400 miles · AL

2003 audi a4 3.0 cabriolet convertible started shifting rough and hesitant and shut off, cranked back up went into limp mode and all the shifting gear lights came on r n d 2 , barely made it back home, put code reader on car had a lot of codes on it I reset codes but rnd2 lights still on , possible bad TCM?

Filed May 28, 2019 · Transmission · CA

Transmission control module transmission slips out of drive while driving into like neutral and when I accelerate the car does not move and comes to a full stop and I have to stop and turn the car on and off till it works again

Filed Feb 2, 2019 · Acceleration, Transmission · 145,000 miles · GA

On january 28, 2019 I was driving to my medical appointment at 35 miles per hour when my car froze up then bucked and now no longer the transmission will no longer engage. Upon research audi has known of this transmission having serious faults and that it will break down without warning. Audi has refused to do any recall on these transmissions, even after a class action that was settled, audi will not do any recall.

Filed Sep 2, 2018 · Transmission · 86,500 miles · FL

The constantly variable transmission (CVT) of my 2003 audi a4 cabriolet 1.8t with just 86,000 miles on it is faulty, and has caused my vehicle to stall out on four occasions, twice while attempting to come to a stop at a stop sign and while parking, and twice while operating the vehicle while accelerating at a speed of 35 and 60 MPH, on a city road and once while attempting to merge onto the interstate. The vehicle must be restarted to drive, and has just barely sputtered back to life in my four experiences so far. Audi is aware of the problem, and has settled a class action lawsuit in the past, although the settlement expired more than two years ago leaving owners like myself on the hook for costly repairs, and left with an unsafe vehicle in the mean time. Audi should recall all audi a4 1.8t CVT transmissions from 2003 to 2006 and permentantly solve the problem before someone is seriously injured.

Filed Sep 5, 2017 · Transmission · 13,300 miles · HI

I bought an used 2003 audi a4. I put it in reverse and it would not engage. Then the dash where the gears show what gear you're in started flashing. It showed a p0706 code. This happens so often that one of these times I am going to cause an accident. The car has over 100,000 miles on it, but how can it be my fault that the other owners did not take it in to get this well known module repair fixed. When I am parked flat I can usually get it in reverse after 4-5 times of trying. But...when I am on any slant it takes at least 10 times of trying almost to the point of getting out and pushing it in reverse myself!! One of these days I am going to hit a car behind me trying to get out of my parking spot!! I know there was a recall and I'm just wondering why a current owner of the car that obviously is doing this can't get it fixed as there was a recall.

Filed Jul 30, 2017 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · CA

My 2003 audi a4 cabriolet has the infamous p0706 code, which is a error code indicating the failure of the transmission control module. In my case, my audi slips while reversing and causes a hazard when I am reversing, especially while in a tight or cluttered spot. It also has the prnd blinking due to the defective transmission control module. Many other audi a4s with CVT transmissions have had this failure, which has LED to a lawsuit. I received a recall letter that stated I would be able to get a free repair, but I was refused because my car had over 100000 miles on it, but the problem occurred long before that. I need to get this problem fixed. Thank you for your time.

Filed Jul 1, 2017 · Transmission · 86,000 miles · MO

Car stuck in limp mode and car will jump at certain speeds

Filed Aug 19, 2015 · Acceleration, Transmission · 100,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 audi a4. While driving at 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal became stuck to the floorboard of the vehicle. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal had to be lifted with her foot for it to go back to normal position. The failure recurred on three occasions. While at a complete stop and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle would jerk. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Aug 5, 2015 · Transmission · 140,000 miles · NJ

2003 audi a4 with 6 speed CVT transmission. There is a known issue with the transmission in this vehicle. While driving the car it shifts from first to second very fast even if you ease down on the accelerator, the car lunges forward and jerks. I have came close on several occasions to hitting the car in front of me . I have read several sites including the audi and volks wagon forums and there are also many complaints with exact same issue. This is a safety issue audi should correct.

Filed Sep 11, 2014 · Transmission · 73,000 miles · WI

Stopped at stop light in rush hour traffic. Light turned green. Attempted to accelerate- but car just jerked and rocked back and forth and then rolled backward- almost rolling into car behind me. Had to call 911 to redirect traffic and get a tow truck. 2nd incident occurred on 7/12/14: picked car up from service shop. Driving home in rush hour traffic. Stalled at traffic light. Restarted car and it was able to move, but wouldn't shift. Had to make an illegal u-turn to get out of traffic and was able to pull off the side of the road. 3rd incident occurred on 8/12/14: pulling out of driveway and car stopped shifting. Stalled in driveway. Had to get towed and was found to have "no problem" as car was operating when arrived at the service shop. 9/9/14- driving to work in rush hour traffic. Going 35mph up a hill and car stopped shifting. Car was still moving (slowly) and I was able to pull into a residential driveway to get out of traffic. Car would not move after restarting. Tow truck came and towed to service center. All issues related to faulty CVT transmission that audi is aware of, but will not take responsibility for due to the car being over 10 years old (it was 10 years 6 months at the first incident). I have contacted audi USA to discuss these safety concerns with the car stalling in traffic and possible recalls that should be issued, but they have offered no assistance.

Questions about the 2003 Audi A4 transmission

Does the 2003 Audi A4 have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 43 complaints about the transmission of the 2003 Audi A4, 20% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 Audi A4 transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 75,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Audi A4 transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Audi A4 have bad transmission?

The Audi A4 model years with the most transmission complaints are 2003 (43 complaints), 2002 (16 complaints) and 2005 (16 complaints).

Other 2003 Audi A4 problems

Fuel system 51Electrical 32Engine 24Lights 23Acceleration 22Visibility 20Body 14Airbags 12Steering 7Tires 6Driver assistance 3Suspension 3Brakes 2Seats 2Wheels 2Locks 1Seat belts 1

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