Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 Audi A3, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train1
- Air bags1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Engines
The most common engines in 2003 Audi A3 cars on Dutch roads are the 1.6 petrol (75 kW, 101 hp), 2.0 petrol (110 kW, 148 hp) and 1.8 petrol (92 kW, 123 hp), out of 6 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6 petrol | 75 kW 101 hp | 374 |
| 2.0 petrol | 110 kW 148 hp | 181 |
| 1.8 petrol | 92 kW 123 hp | 44 |
| 1.9 diesel | 74 kW 99 hp | 29 |
| 1.6 petrol | 85 kW 114 hp | 20 |
| 1.8 petrol | 110 kW 148 hp | 20 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
729 first registered in 2003 are on Dutch roads; 29% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €35,551.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen314
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde276
- Band onvoldoende profiel263
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm194
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld189
- Richtingaanwijzers kleur wijkt af/niet toegestaan145
- Veer gebroken of gescheurd141
- Remslang beschadigd, wapeningsmateriaal zichtbaar140
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
903 cars built in 2003 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 1,356 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 2,056 of these cars first registered in 2003 took their annual MOT test. 54% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2003 the figure was 57%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2003 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 23.7% | 21.6% |
| Suspension | 18.0% | 16.4% |
| Brakes | 14.6% | 13.9% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 9.9% | 9.4% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 9.0% | 7.4% |
| Tyres | 8.4% | 6.3% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
473 of these cars first registered in 2003 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 265,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
143 2003 cars are on the New Zealand register; 82% arrived as used imports, 15% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 2003 Audi A3.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Audi told its dealers about the 2003 Audi A3: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10251027 | Tightening wheel bolts |
| 10250950 | Tightening wheel bolts |
| 10249085 | Google Maps Street View (NVLW)) |
| 10249054 | Due to new Minnesota state regulations regarding biofuels, biodiesel blends of B5 or less may not be available in the State of Minnesota. |
| 10243930 | This bulletin provides information on the additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries. |
| 10243790 | Audi Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243787 | Audi Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243780 | Audi Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243756 | Audi Elsa Newsletter |
| 10231144 | Technical bulletins and updates |
| 10231130 | Idenifying and mixing factory fill engine coolants |
| 10231127 | ElsaPro Software update and technical bulletins |
| 10228314 | The use of contaminated gasoline or gasoline with a low content of deposit control additives may result in one or more conditions. |
| 10228302 | High quality media files (video and sound) are now integrated into technical service bulletins on a case-by-case basis. Media files can now be viewed on any smartphone or tablet. |
| 10228297 | This Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) details the general process for carrying out a Software Version Management (SVM) software update for any TSB or Update. |
| 10226529 | Vehicle lacks power or will not move after stop due to simultaneous depressing of the brake and accelerator pedals |
| 10224993 | The use of contaminated gasoline or gasoline with a low content of deposit control additives may result in one or more conditions. |
| 10224981 | High quality media files (video and sound) are now integrated into technical service bulletins on a case-by-case basis. Media files can now be viewed on any smartphone or tablet. |
| 10224977 | A DTC with the description ?Invalid Data Record? is stored after an ECU has been replaced or updated. |
| 10224976 | This Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) details the general process for carrying out a Software Version Management (SVM) software update for any TSB or Update. |
| 10221966 | The use of contaminated gasoline or gasoline with a low content of deposit control additives may result in one or more conditions. |
| 10221954 | High quality media files (video and sound) are now integrated into technical service bulletins on a case-by-case basis. Media files can now be viewed on any smartphone or tablet. |
| 10221949 | This Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) details the general process for carrying out a Software Version Management (SVM) software update for any TSB or Update. |
| 10216682 | Engine oils that meet Audi Oil Quality Standards. |
| 10216662 | Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)