RoadVitals

2003 Audi RS6 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
43
Latest Jul 25, 2023
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
6
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Audi RS6, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Suspension3170.5%
  • Fuel system715.9%
  • Transmission36.8%
  • Driver assistance12.3%
  • Electrical12.3%
  • Tires & wheels12.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

31
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI RS6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING AND WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT AND BACK SHOCKS ABSORBER, THE TUBING AND THE VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA ID 10631040 · filed Sep 5, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI RS6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE BOUNCED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A VOLUNTARY RECALL ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER PERTAINING TO THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA ID 10536854 · filed Aug 23, 2013
All 31 reports naming suspension

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2003 Audi RS6. The contact stated that after adding fuel to the vehicle, he noticed that fuel had leaked, and there was a puddle of fuel on the ground on the rear driver's side of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred routinely when adding fuel in the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V267000 (Fuel System, Other) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.

NHTSA ID 11534403 · filed Jul 25, 2023

FUEL TANK LEAK FROM TIP OVER VALVE. THERE IS A RECALL ON IT. AUDI RECALL 20L8/JY WAS PERFORMED ON 5/16/2012. BUT THE VALVE STARTED LEAKING AGAIN RECENTLY. I CALLED AUDI OF AMERICA (AOA) THEY HAD ME TAKE THE CAR TO AUSTIN NORTH AUDI DEALER FOR CONFIRMATION AND TAKING PHOTOS. AFTER THE DEALER CONFIRMATION THEY DENIED MY REQUEST TO COVER THE FUEL TANK REPLACEMENT. THEIR REASON WAS: CAR IS TOO OLD, I AM SECOND OWNER, AND THERE IS NO BRAND LOYALTY (THIS IS MY FIRST AUDI). HERE ARE THE AUDI OF AMERICA CASE DETAILS: VIN: [XXXXXX] AUDI RECALL CODE 20L8/JY AUDI CASE #: [XXX] AUDI OF AMERICA REP: SHEMONA (1-800-822-2834 EXT. 43444) CURRENT OWNER: [XXX] OWNER PHONE: [XXX] PLEASE ADVISE IF AOA IS LIABLE FOR REPLACING THE TANK WHEN RECALL DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE OF TIP OVER VALVE LEAK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

NHTSA ID 11056824 · filed Dec 27, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THIS RESULTED IN NEEDING TO REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. *TR

NHTSA ID 10419249 · filed Aug 12, 2011

TRANSMISSION WOULD OCCASIONALLY SLIP TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC I HAD TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER AS I COULDN'T ACCELERATE. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE CAR THAT HAS MUCH MORE POWER THAN MOST VEHICLES SO UNDER NORMAL OPERATIONS ACCELERATION SHOULD BE QUICK & FAST. THIS FIRST STARTED WITH ONLY 35~40,000 MILES ON THE CAR. ALL RS6 OWNERS BEGIN TO LEARN THAT THE ONLY TWO WEEK POINTS IN THE CAR ARE THE SUSPENSION AND THE TRANSMISSION. THANKS TO THE NHTSA THE VEHICLES WERE FINALLY RECALLED FOR SUSPENSION FAILURES. NOW WE ARE LEFT WITH A SUBSTANDARD TRANSMISSION DESIGN. I RECENTLY PAID $5000 TO HAVE MY TRANSMISSION REBUILT BY A SHOP THAT GUARANTEES TO FIX THE FACTORY DRAWBACKS. PREVIOUSLY I TOOK IT TO THE AUDI DEALER TO NO AVAIL. *TR

NHTSA ID 10418252 · filed Aug 9, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

2003 AUDI RS6 - SUSPENSION FAILURE - SYSTEM LEAKED HYDRAULIC FLUID RESULTING IN A VERY UNSTABLE RIDE. REPAIR ATTEMPTED BY AUDI MANY TIMES FROM JAN TO JUNE, AND AFTER TOO MUCH LEG WORK ON MY PART THEY ALMOST FIXED IT. THE CAR IS BETTER, BUT NOT NORMAL, AND THIS HAS AFFECTED MANY RS6'S, AND IS A VERY DANGEROUS SYSTEM FAILURE. *JB

NHTSA ID 10160259 · filed Jun 20, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

ON STAR SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED DIFFERENT BATTERY. IT WORKED FINE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS, THEN THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. IT HAS HAPPENED FIVE (5) TIMES. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO(2) DIFFERENT DEALERS. AUDI OF ROCHESTER HILLS;45411 DEQUINDRE ROAD; ROCHESTER HILLS, MI 48307; 248-997-7400. *JB

NHTSA ID 10074187 · filed May 25, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THIS WAS NOT A BLIZZAK LM-25. IT WAS A BLIZZAK LM-60. TWICE WITHIN A YEAR, I'VE HAD MY REAR TIRE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE BEADS, SPLITTING ALL THE WAY AROUND ON THE INNER AND OUTER SIDEWALLS. THE FIRST TIME WAS ON THE PASSENGER REAR WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 75 MPH. IT BLEW OFF AND WENT ROLLING BESIDE AND BEHIND THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE RIGHT HAND SHOULDER. THE CAR WAS PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY WITH SOME DAMAGE OCCURRING TO THE INNER TIRE WHEEL WELL. THE SECOND TIME OCCURRED DRIVING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL ROAD, AFTER RECENTLY EXITING THE FREEWAY. THIS TIME IT WAS THE DRIVER'S REAR. WHILE IT SEPARATED, I HEARD AND FELT IT AND PULLED TO THE CURB. THIS TIME THERE WAS DAMAGE DONE TO THE WHEEL WELL AS WELL AS THE BODY TRIM THE GOES FROM THE FRONT TO THE REAR WHEEL WELLS BENEATH THE DOORS. I HAVE PICTURES.

NHTSA ID 11161163 · filed Dec 13, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .