3.0

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
47,191 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 Audi A4:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #9

Apr 282010

A4

  • miles
When I purchased my pre-owned 03 Audi A4 cabrio in May 2010 failed to notice that the bottom left and right corners of the rear window was separating from the fabric at the top. Fast forward to May 2011 its now spread enough that you could reach a whole hand into the headliner. When it rains part of the back seat, rear deck and areas of the trunk get very wet was separating from the fabric at the bottom left and right corners of the rear window, enough that you could reach a whole hand into the headliner. When it rains the headliner around the rear glass, part of the back seat, rear deck and areas of the trunk get very wet. With the smell after it dries, im sure I have mold and mildew issues as well.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #8

Jul 152009

A4

  • miles
I own a 03 audia4 1.8T cabriolet. For the pass two years I have to repair the transmission twice- the car could not move, the gears weren't switching. Audi usa are aware of this issue and still there is not a recall for that. Second and bigger issue is the rear window which is separating from the convertible top. It is dangerous as the window can fly away while I drive the car with a higher speed on the highway and hit the cars behind me. Also very common problem for this model cars.

- Rosemont, IL, USA

problem #7

Oct 102010

A4 4-cyl

  • 66,500 miles
2003 Audi A4 cabriolet has had numerous issues, failure of door gasket seal which destroyed plc, resulting in horrible sound safety issue, cost over $2K to fix, failure of cv joint which could cause wheel to fly off, failure of rear glass window that could come loose hurting other vehicles or passengers of car; car has less than 70K miles, was bought new and is garaged. Audi America should reimburse owners for these numerous, (and apparently inevitable, judging by what I've read and heard from other owners) problems.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #6

Sep 162010

A4

  • 49,000 miles
200 Audi A4 convertible. Rear window has separated from roof appears as if the glue is dry rotted? miles 49K garage kept, hand washed.... found info on-line regarding several other owners experiencing this problem Audi of America refuses responsibility while Audi germany accepts full responsibility. This is a safety hazard. I'm afraid the window will fall out while on the highway.

- Branchburg, NJ, USA

problem #5

Aug 032010

A4

  • 109,000 miles
It would seem that I have two of the issues I've seen here with my 2003 Audi A4 convertible. I have owned it since 2008 and have already replaced the transmission module twice. As described by others, it wouldn't engage reverse, or go into standard mode... blinking dash lights, etc... the other common issue is my rear window. It is holding on by less that two inches of glue. The rest just hangs on by the headliner. This has resulted in gallons of water entering my car during rain storms. Not to mention the vibrations while driving with the top up.

- Riverside, RI, USA

problem #4

Sep 182009

A4

  • 50,000 miles
2003 Audi A4 cabriolet, the car is practically new, only driven in summer months. The rear window has separated from the roof, apparently the window is only sealed to the roof with a layer of glue. The window can fall out at anytime as a result of the glue loosening. The only alternative is a completely new roof.

- East Berlin, CT, USA

problem #3

Jul 182008

A4

  • 58,000 miles
Rear window came unglued and could not be repaired on my 2003 A4 cabriolet. Audi dealer replaced top. My cost was 4000.

- Collegeville, PA, USA

problem #2

Sep 112007

A4

  • 52,221 miles
The adhesive which holds in the rear window on my 2003 Audi A4 3.0 convertible came unglued, resulting in the window gradually falling away from the roof. I had to duct tape it in as I didn't want it popping out completely while driving, and to prevent rain / moisture from getting in. This could be a serious driving hazard should it dislodge while operating. Fyi, the car had been babied since day one; garage kept and hand washed. Audi of America did finally agree to pay for a new top (about 6K retail) but could not tell me if the new top had different adhesive (I don't want a repeat of this circumstance a fews yrs down the line). I researched this, and there are several other owners w/ this problem. Most cars were 03's at about 40-50K miles. In my opinion, Audi needs to acknowledge there was a defect w/ the adhesive and offer replacement at N/C. if you have an A4 or S4 convertible, monitor where the glass fits in the top. Listen for a "flapping" noise at highway speeds. The main mechanic said in addition the adhesive coming undone, there also appeared to be shrinkage of the top. I do not know, from an engineering standpoint, if the shrinkage was the main problem (I.e, the "pulling away" from the top) or if it was a combination of both problems that culminated in the end result. Regardless, Audi needs to address this before there is a serious problem w/ the window flying out at freeway speeds.

- Los Alamitos, CA, USA

problem #1

Sep 012005

A4

  • 40,000 miles
Bought a 2003 Audi A4 cabriolet in 2005. 6 months later, rear window in 2003 Audi A4 detached from convertible top causing rear leather seat to rot and tear due to rain water leaking through the detached window. Tried to have the window reattached by an Audi dealership referred detailing company, adhesive did not hold and I was told the car would need a new roof. The dealership I bought the car from, don rosen Audi of conshohoken, pa nor Audi will take any responsibility for the detached window or provide payment for repairs.

- Newtown, PA, USA