2003 Audi A4 Body & structure Problems

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10402500

Incident

Apr 28, 2010

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10369313

Incident

Jul 15, 2009

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10362262

Incident

Oct 10, 2010

Mileage

66,500 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10356253

Incident

Sep 16, 2010

Mileage

49,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10347007

Incident

Aug 3, 2010

Mileage

109,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10323916

Incident

Sep 18, 2009

Mileage

50,000 mi

FORGOT TO INSTALL C CLIP ON TEMP SENSOR ON RADIATOR HOSE WHICH POPPED OUT CAUSING MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE AND BLOWN HEAD GASKET WHICH WAS DENIED FOR MANY MONTHS. IN OCT. 08 THEY FORGOT TO TIGHTEN BRACKET WHICH CAUSED WIRES TO SMOKE AND FIRE.AUG 08-TRIMMED SERPENTINE BELT RATHER THAN REPLACED AND CAR STOPPED RUNNING IN MIDDLE OF INTERSTATE. SEPT 09 REPLACED OIL PAN BUT FORGOT TO PUT PLUG BACK OCT 08 OIL RESIDUE ON DAMPER THEY THREW OUT AND DID NOT REPLACE. THEY FORGOT TO PUT BOLTS BACK ON SUB FRAME AND MIRACLE I WAS NOT KILLED. THIS CAUSED AXLE PROBLEMS. WHEN THEY REPLACED BOLTS THEY DID NOT HAVE BUSHINGS IN STOCK AND THEY RELEASED CAR WITHOUT THESE BUSHINGS WHICH IS A SAFETY VIOLATION. WHEN BUSHINGS CAME IN THEY REFUSED TO WORK ON OUR VEHICLE AND WE HAD TO GO TO DIFFERENT MECHANIC. THEY TOLD US WE NEEDED TIMING BELT WHEN THE HEADGASKET WAS BLOWN. NOW THERE IS NEW RECALL FOR COIL PACKS AND THEY REFUSE TO WORK ON OUR CAR. THE NEW GM IS LISTENING TO THE SERVICE MGR. WHO IS NOT TELLING THE COMPLETE STORY NOR IS THE NEW GM REVIEWING THE FACTS. OUR LIVES ARE IN DANGER WITH THIS VEHICLE AND SINCE WE STILL OWE $15K WE CANNOT TRADE IT IN. STARTED JUNE 2008 AND CONTINUES UNTIL TODAY. COIL PACKS WHICH WERE JUST RECALLED ARE CAUSING CAR NOT TO RUN AND WE ARE STUCK *CW

NHTSA ID

10302560

Incident

Jun 12, 2008

Mileage

91,904 mi

I BOUGHT A 2003 AUDI A4 CONVERTIBLE IN NOVEMBER 2008 AND SINCE THEN THE DEFECTIVE CONVERTIBLE TOP HAS RESULTED IN THE REAR GLASS WINDOW TO BE NEARLY COMPLETELY LOOSE. THIS IS A MAJOR HAZARD AND REPRESENTS A DANGER SINCE THE WINDOW COULD FALL OUT AND HURT OTHER PEOPLE. AUDI OF SANTA MONICA SAID THEY CAN'T/WON'T FIX IT AND REFERRED ME TO AN UPHOLSTERY SHOP WHO SAID THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND CAN'T FIX IT (DESPITE AUDI RECOMMENDING THEM FOR FIXING THIS). A DETAILED CHECK OF NUMEROUS ONLINE DISCUSSION BOARDS (IN THE U.S. AND GERMANY) SHOWS THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMING PROBLEM FOR 2003 AUDI CONVERTIBLES THAT AUDI SIMPLY REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE. 2003 WAS THE FIRST YEAR THAT KARMANN MANUFACTURE THE ROOF AND, INTERESTINGLY, HARMANN IN GERMANY SEEMS TO ACCEPT SOME RESPONSIBILITY AND HAS FIXED THIS PROBLEM FOR SOME PEOPLE, CHARGING ONLY FOR LABOR. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT NHTSA LOOK INTO THIS FAULTY MANUFACTURING ISSUE AND FORCE AUDI TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10287320

Incident

Aug 10, 2009

Mileage

50,000 mi

DEFECTIVE CONVERTIBLE TOP ON 2003 AUDI A4 HAS RESULTED IN THE REAR GLASS WINDOW TO BECOME LOOSE. I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT THE WINDOW WILL FLY OFF. BASED ON ON-LINE POSTINGS, THIS IS A VERY, VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE. TO DATE, AUDI NOR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY HAS DONE ANYTHING TO RECTIFY THE FAULTY MANUFACTURING ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10281120

Incident

Aug 11, 2009

Mileage

77,000 mi

REAR WINDOW CAME UNGLUED AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED ON MY 2003 A4 CABRIOLET. AUDI DEALER REPLACED TOP. MY COST WAS 4000. *TR

NHTSA ID

10273837

Incident

Jul 18, 2008

Mileage

58,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10246045

Incident

Sep 11, 2007

Mileage

52,221 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10238628

Incident

Sep 1, 2005

Mileage

40,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI A4. SHE NOTICED A LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW OF THE CONVERTIBLE IN ADDITION SHE NOTICED THE ROOF DETACHED FROM THE REAR WINDOW. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONVERTIBLE ROOF NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,000. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEFECT IS ADHESIVE PROCESS USED DOESN'T STICK TO CONVERTIBLE TOP. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WOULD COST $4,000 TO REPLACE THE TOP. UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR

NHTSA ID

10198889

Incident

Jul 10, 2007

Mileage

47,000 mi

THE REAR WINDOW OF MY 2003 A4 CABIOROLET HAS BECOME DETACHED FROM THE TOP. NOW BARELY HANGING ON, THE WINDOW PRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD TO PASSENGERS AND OTHER VEHICLES WHEN IT FALLS OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10196346

Incident

Jun 1, 2007

Mileage

57,000 mi