Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 Audi A8, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train1
- Exterior lighting1
- Suspension1
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 A8 cars on Dutch roads are the 4.2 petrol (246 kW, 330 hp) and 3.7 petrol (206 kW, 276 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 4.2 petrol | 246 kW 330 hp | 144 |
| 3.7 petrol | 206 kW 276 hp | 71 |
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
231 first registered in 2003 are on Dutch roads; 47% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €119,011.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde98
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld55
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen49
- Band onvoldoende profiel37
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm31
- Waarschuwingsinrichting airbag- / gordelsysteem geeft defect28
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse27
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt27
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
80 cars built in 2003 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 163 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, 140 of these cars first registered in 2003 took their annual MOT test. 66% 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 | 10.7% | 21.6% |
| Tyres | 9.3% | 6.3% |
| Suspension | 8.6% | 16.4% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 5.7% | 9.4% |
| Brakes | 5.7% | 13.9% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.7% | 7.4% |
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
48 of these cars first registered in 2003 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 274,000 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
7 2003 cars are on the New Zealand register.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 13.1 L/100 km (about 18 mpg US), CO₂ 301 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| A8 · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 15.4 | 10.3 | 13.1 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 2003 Audi A8.
| 2008274 5 Aug 2008 | Other On certain vehicles equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission, a locking cable may move out of position over time. With the locking cable out of position, … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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 A8: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10251027 | Tightening wheel bolts |
| 10251012 | Vehicle lowers itself, air suspension warning light on, level sensor error (PR-2MB or 1BK) |
| 10250968 | Electric steering column adjustment is inoperative |
| 10250952 | Electric steering column adjustment is inoperative |
| 10250950 | Tightening wheel bolts |
| 10250679 | Vehicle lowers itself, air suspension warning light on, level sensor error (PR-2MB or 1BK) |
| 10250430 | Oil consumption measurement - Repair Authorization (CA) |
| 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 |
| 10243772 | Audi Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243756 | Audi Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242632 | Seat Belt |
| 10231144 | Technical bulletins and updates |
| 10231130 | Idenifying and mixing factory fill engine coolants |
| 10231128 | Technical bulletins and updates |
| 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. |
| 10226530 | ATF pan leaks |
| 10226529 | Vehicle lacks power or will not move after stop due to simultaneous depressing of the brake and accelerator pedals |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)