FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
2003 Audi Allroad
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 14 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Audi Allroad, most frequently naming the electrical, powertrain (other) and body & structure categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 60 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2004 | 1 | 1 |
| Jan 2005 | 1 | 2 |
| Oct 2007 | 2 | 4 |
| Oct 2008 | 1 | 5 |
| May 2009 | 1 | 6 |
| Jun 2009 | 1 | 7 |
| Feb 2010 | 1 | 8 |
| Oct 2010 | 1 | 9 |
| Mar 2012 | 1 | 10 |
| Sep 2015 | 1 | 11 |
| Feb 2021 | 1 | 12 |
| Oct 2021 | 1 | 13 |
| Dec 2021 | 1 | 14 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Electrical527.8%
- Powertrain (other)316.7%
- Body & structure211.1%
- Other / unspecified15.6%
- Seat belts15.6%
- Suspension15.6%
- Tires & wheels15.6%
- Airbags15.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
3 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
FUEL TANK LEAK
VOLKSWAGEN (VW) IS RECALLING CERTAIN VW PASSAT 4MOTION AND AUDI A6 QUATTRO AND ALLROAD QUATTRO ALL-WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER CARS.VW VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL WERE MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 22, 2000 THROUGH MAY 31, 2005 AND AUDI VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2, 2001 TO JUNE 1, 2005.THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER FOR THE VW VEHICLES IS 08V-156 (VW ALSO IS CORRECTING DEFECTS RELATED TO HEAT SHIELD AND FUEL LINE HAZARDS FOR THESE VEHICLES AND FOR 1999-2000 PASSATS IN THIS RECALL ACTION.)THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER FOR THE AUDI VEHICLES IS 08V-157.SINCE 2006, ODI HAS RECEIVED 17 COMPLAINTS OF FUEL LEAKING FROM THE SUBJECT VEHICLES' FUEL TANKS.THE 400 COMPLAINTS SHOWN ABOVE MAY INCLUDE DUPLICATE REPORTS TO ODI AND THE MANUFACTURER. WHILE THE CONSEQUENCE (FUEL LEAKS FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK) IS SIMILAR FOR BOTH THE PASSAT AND AUDI SUBJECT VEHICLES, DIFFERENCES IN DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION REQUIRE A DIFFERENT REMEDY FOR EACH VEHICLE.ON THE PASSATS, THE VENTILATION LINE COULD HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY WITH TENSION AND WITH AN INCORRECTLY POSITIONED CABLE TIE.THE TENSION COULD CAUSE CRACKED OR BROKEN NIPPLES ON THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE.ON THE AUDI VEHICLES, A MATERIAL CHANGE (EFFECTIVE JUNE 2, 2001) WITH DIFFERENT AGING CHARACTERISTICS USED FOR THE ROLLOVER VALVE AND THE USE OF AN INFLEXIBLE ALUMINUM VENTILATION LINE COULD CAUSE CRACKING OF THE NIPPLE ON THE ROLLOVER VALVE.VW IS RECALLING ALL VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THESE DEFECTS.IT WILL INSPECT PASSATS TO ENSURE THAT THE VENT LINE IS TENSION FREE AND CORRECT THE INSTALLATION IF TENSION IS FOUND.IF A CRACK OR FUEL LEAK IS FOUND, VW WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK.AUDI WILL REPAIR ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BY REINFORCING THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE WITH AN EPOXY ADHESIVE.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
During recent heavy rains, all of a sudden the car's transmission that had been working fine, after having been parked briefly pointing slightly down hill, no longer functioned properly, and had apparently gone into "LIMP Mode". after talking with Mechanics and doing research, we checked the carpet areas and determined and documented the car's interior was very wet, both in front and in the rear areas, with evident moisture and corrosion under the battery and cabin air filter areas and rear wheel well area. The Transmission no longer shifts properly and the car is not able to be safely driven. Apparently there is a well known design flaw in the Audi C5 A6 vehicles where multiple drains frequently fail. apparently there are 2 very hard to access drains under the battery, under the battery tray, and also the cabin air filter seal to the sidewall is prone to failure. I'm told that there is a "soft" NTSB Audi Recall on this. Please advise.
- NHTSA ID
- 11444216
- Incident
- Oct 25, 2021
please see prior form submission re transmission...please confirm receipt of earlier entry.
- NHTSA ID
- 11437851
- Incident
- Oct 22, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI ALLROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING CLOCK SPRING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11396848
- Incident
- Feb 10, 2014
- Mileage
- 135,000 mi
THE FUEL TANK HAS DEVELOPED A LEAK ON ITS OWN. I FILLED MY CAR THE THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2015. ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2015 THE FUEL GAUGE WAS DOWN A QUARTER TANK. I SMELLED GAS OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. MY MECHANIC TELLS ME THE LEAK IS AT A PLASTIC WELDED NUB ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TANK.THIS IS A PLASTIC FUEL TANK. IF I FILL THE TANK ABOVE THE HALFWAY MARK THIS IS WHEN THE TANK LEAKS. THE CAR IS GOING IN FOR SERVICE ON MONDAY FOR A FUEL TANK REPLACEMENT. I HAVE OPENED CASE NUMBER 150699218 WITH AUDI CORPORATE. THEY WANTED ME TO ALLOW THEM TO TOW THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP AND LET THE DEALER MAKE A DIAGNOSIS. WE WERE DESPERATELY AFRAID THAT THE COST OF THIS WOULD BE EXORBITANT. IT TAKES 10+ HOURS TO GET THE REMOVED AND REINSTALLED. THE TANK IS ABOUT $700.00 WE ARE TRULY AFRAID TO GO TO THE DEALER FOR ANYTHING. WE HAVE AN INDEPENDENT AUDI MECHANIC WE HAVE USED FOR YEARS. AUDI WAS OFFERING TO PAY FOR THE TOW AND THE DIAGNOSIS. WE WERE THINKING AUDI WOULD USE THE EXCUSE OF DISASSEMBLING THE CAR, "FIND THE PROBLEM" AND THEN CHARGE 5 OF THE 10 HOURS TO PUT THE TANK IN. WE DID NOT WANT TO GET STUCK WITH THAT. THIS IS AWHY WE GO TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO IS HIGHLY COMPETENT AND WE TRUST. I WILL KNOW MORE ABOUT THE LEAK ON MONDAY OR TUESDAY . THIS COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
- NHTSA ID
- 10765202
- Incident
- Aug 27, 2015
- Mileage
- 167,000 mi
2003 AUDI ALL ROAD. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TRANSMISSION, SEAT BELTS AND WHEELS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AT TIMES, THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT REACT TO A SUDDEN DEPRESSION OF THE GAS PEDAL. THE RESULTING DELAY IN ACCELERATION COULD RESULT IN A COLLISION DUE TO THE INABILITY TO MOVE THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. ALSO, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE FLAT TIRES, DUE TO WHEEL CORROSION, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF THE AIR SEAL, BETWEEN THE WHEELS AND TIRES. *JB
- NHTSA ID
- 10449874
- Incident
- Mar 1, 2012
ENGINE OVERHEAT, AUTOMATIC FAN FAILS TO GO ON, THE ENGINE SPILL FUME TO A BLINDING LEVEL WHEN IT BEGINS TO COME FROM BENEATH THE HOOD . HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS SHUT DOWN ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT INCLUDE NEW WATER PUMP NEW RADIATOR NEW AIR CONDITIONING PUMP DID NOT BRING ANY SOLUTION. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10362672
- Incident
- Jul 23, 2010
- Mileage
- 106,000 mi
AIR SUSPENSION FOR AUDI ALLROAD FAILED. ALL AIR WAS VENTED OUT OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WITHOUT WARNING RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHEN CAR HIT A BUMP/DIP IN THE ROAD. CAR SEEMED TO BOUNCE OFF THE FRONT TIRES AND WAS A VIOLENT COMPRESSION AND REBOUND. I MOMENTARILY LOST CONTROL AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED UNTIL PULLING OVER AND DISCOVERED FRONT OF CAR WAS SITTING ON THE TIRES. I RESTARTED CAR AFTER SEVERAL FAILED ATTEMPTS TO USE THE RIDE HEIGHT LEVELING SYSTEM CONTROLS AND NOTICED ALL THREE RIDE HEIGHT LEVELING LIGHTS FLASHING AND THEN A SUSPENSION LIGHT FLASHING ON OPERATOR CONSOLE THAT WAS NOT LAMINATED UNTIL AFTER RESTART OF CAR. AFTER THE INCIDENT THE AIR COMPRESSOR REPUTEDLY FAILED TO INFLATE FRONT SHOCKS. THIS TOOK PLACE APROX. 2 MILES FROM MY HOME ON WONDER WOOD EXPRESSWAY. IN JACKSONVILLE FL. CAR IS NOW AT RESIDENCE. UN-DRIVABLE. CONTACTING DEALER! *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10311290
- Incident
- Feb 16, 2010
- Mileage
- 94,000 mi
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI ALLROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE HAS A DESIGN FLAW. WHEN IT RAINS, WATER ENTERS THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS A SMALL DRAINAGE HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE BATTERY IS LOCATED. DEBRIS AND WATER ENTER THIS HOLE AND DRAINS THE BATTERY. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD AND HAD EXCESSIVE MILEAGE. THE AUDI MANUFACTURER HAD THE SAME RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 07/28/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRAIN HOLES IN THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT WERE BLOCKED. WATER FLOODED THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT THEN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND SHORTED OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSING OVER $3000 IN DAMAGE. UPDATED 07/30/09.*JB
- NHTSA ID
- 10274267
- Incident
- Jun 15, 2009
- Mileage
- 60,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
This bulletin provides information on the additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; STRUCTURE
This informational bulletin explains how to order replacement VIN plates, Safety Certification Labels, etc.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
This information bulletin contains instructions for technicans on how to ensure their TAC call goes smoothly.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
This informational bulletin contains technical information for when there is condensation visible on the inside of the headlight, taillight, fog light, side marker light, front turn signal, daytime running lights, and/or third brake light lens.
EQUIPMENT
This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.
ENGINE
This informational bulletin contains all the the Audi Oil Quality Standards that should be used when doing an oil change.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.