2003 Audi A4: CVT failure

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 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 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 Aug 5, 2015 · Acceleration · 140,000 miles · NJ

03 audi a4 6 speed auto CVT transmission, this vehicle has known issues with shifting from 1st to 2nd gear too soon. While driving this vehicle from a complete stop on an on ramp on rt 80 I hit the gas and it would shift from first to second and back to first then lurch forward while rolling. While this is going on I am trying to merge on the highway which put my car into the right lane doing about 2 MPH with traffic (which would be a safe distance if this issue didn't happen) having to come to an abrupt stop not to hit my car. This is an known issue with these transmissions and there is no recall on them since new. I have experienced this issue numerous time as many others with this vehicle does. There are numerous forums with consumers complaining of the same issue. This needs to be addressed before someone gets hurt.

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.

Filed Mar 21, 2012 · Transmission · 40,000 miles · OK

Audi introduced the continuously variable transmission (CVT) to new automobiles about 2003. The CVT was touted as a highly reliable transmission in audi sales brochures with less moving parts. The transmission contains a transmission control module (TCM) which fails early. I took my car in while under warranty with claims of the transmission "hopping" and audi took no action to correct. My car now has 150,000 miles on it and the TCM has failed completely. Upon reviewing several audi forums, I have learned that this problem is extremely common and audi has not acknowledged the problem. Many people with similar audi's in year and with the same transmission have experience the failure. The fix is to have new TCM's installed at a cost of approximately $2,500, which requires the removal of the transmission to replace the TCM. While I have read many narratives of audi owners experiencing this problem, I do not know if anyone has filed a complaint regarding this issue. It would appear that appropriate testing of the module was not conducted to a satisfactory level and components were installed with flaws. My understanding from research on this topic is that the same CVT was licensed to nissan for installation within their vehicles and the same problems are occurring. I believe this to be a condition of manufacturer recall and correction at no cost to the owner. I have also heard of the problem from local mechanics.

Filed Jan 22, 2012 · Transmission · 97,000 miles · CA

Suddenly, while driving on freeway, went to low gear speed and not able to move car. I already change the transmission @ 42,000 miles at audi dealership. This is audi CVT transmission. It has very bad reliability records. You can see a lot of complaints, a especially about TCM module. Transmission repair shops just refuse to repair this type of transmission. The only choice is audi dealership. The dealership price is about $8,500 for manufacturing rebuild transmission. However, the most important is the safety. I would not like that anyone was injured on the road because of malfunction of this transmission. It just matter of time and transmission will be broken and somebody got hurt.

Filed Feb 6, 2011 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · FL

2003 audi a4 TCM failure almost LED to a serious accident. Was backing out of a driveway on a semi-busy road in winter park, fl when the transmission control module gave out on my 2003 audi a4 CVT transmission. The car lost all power and just would rev. But not move in reverse. I had to quickly throw it in drive and head into oncoming traffic until being able to get inot the proper lane. After driving home, I noticed that this is random and there is no logic to when it occurs. The problem is an intermittent electrical TCM problem in which signal 'drops' for a short period of time. I did a search online about theis issue with the 2003 CVT transmission from auid and the TCM shorting out while driving is a very common issue. I see this as a safety issue and definaltely hold the auto manufacturuer at fault. Audi has recalled these TCM's for their a6 and a8 line that year which uses many of the same components. Why has the 2003 a4 CVT not been recalled then. It has the same issues. Tcm failure and faults due to improper electrical connections and clutch pack failure becuase the transmission cannot handle the power or weight of the car. That is why from 2005 and on the CVT comes with 7 clutch plates. Bottom line is that if this issue is not addressed in the 2003 audi a4 CVT and you do not recall this year and version TCM (and maybe even the tranny itself) people will die in accidents that were no fault of their own. I am headed to the audi website and any others who will take my complaint about this issue. I see it up there with a stuck accelerator. If you cant control speeding up or slowing down and the problem is faulty electrical thus happening intermitently how can you stay in control of your vehicle?

Filed Jan 17, 2010 · Transmission · 140,500 miles · MI

Audi-a4-sedan-CVT transmission. Slipping gear while vehicle is moving and beginning drive from stoplight. Safety concern for family. History of a problem and no recall by audi. How can there be no recall.

Filed Jun 20, 2008 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · VA

At a stoplight yesterday, the CVT transmission suddenly failed. When I pressed the accelerator, the vehicle would only very slowly lurch forward with a great deal of "grinding" noise. I was barely able to limp out of the flow of traffic and then had it towed to my shop. My mechanic today told me the CVT (continuously variable transmission) failed and needs replacement. New, the part alone is $7,500, with another $1,000+ in labor. My 2003 a4 has been meticulously maintained since new and only has 75,000 miles. I have found considerable "traffic" online regarding major problems with audi CVT - but very little on your site. This is s a major design problem that consumers should be made aware of.

Filed Jan 4, 2008 · Transmission · 64,000 miles · IL

In february 2007, my 2003 a4's multitronic CVT (transmission) started to fail. It was slow to engage to reverse and to first gear from a complete stop, and the prnd indicator on the dashboard began to blink continuously. Although these were obvious problems, the mechanic at our audi dealership informed me the car was 'operating according to manufacturer's specifications.' the car only had 61,000 miles. Soon thereafter, the transmission got worse. On one occasion, my infant daughter and I were put in danger when the transmission didn't engage as I attempted a left turn. We were stuck in oncoming traffic in a car that would not move. It was only after I pressed the gas pedal multiple times, revving the engine significantly, that the car bucked into first gear and lurched forward. On another occasion, the car would not go into reverse when I tried to back out of a space in a busy parking lot. This space was on a slight incline, causing the car to roll forward when I stepped on the gas in the attempt to engage the reverse. Instead of reversing, again the engine revved significantly and rolled forward, nearly missing the parked car in front of me. After several attempts the reverse suddenly engaged and lurched backwards. Thank goodness nobody was injured in either situation. At 64,000 miles the transmission failed completely. I had to replace it at a cost of $6,500. Audi even required that my broken transmission be sent back to them so they could study the failure. The technical staff at my audi dealership, as well as the owner of the repair shop where I eventually had the transmission replaced, remarked that the multitronic CVT's design is problematic, and that they're seeing major issues with them.

Filed Oct 23, 2007 · Transmission · 55,000 miles · NY

My vehicle is an audi a4 3.0. I originally purchased in 6/2003. On multiple occasions, when I have put the car in reverse the car begins to buck/shake violently for several seconds until I press on the brake put the car back into park. I have taken it to the audi dealership to address this problem on several occasions while it was under warranty and they were unable to diagnose the problem. Most recently, at the beginning of this year. However, last week as I was returning home, smoke began to come out of the engine. I brought it to audi service and I was told today that my transmission was leaking and was dripping onto my catalytic converter which was the cause for the smoke. However, I am now no longer covered by my warranty. It seems like the CVT transmission on this car is prone for failure after 50,000. They want to take out my transmission and either replace/repair it (if possible). I contacted audi customer care and they contacted audi service. They are currently in discussion with regards to the coverage for the repairs. They should have found the problem a while ago when I brought it in several times before.