RoadVitals

2003 Audi Tt

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
13
Latest Jan 25, 2020
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Mar 7, 2014
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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

Overview

Our database contains 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Audi Tt, most frequently naming the electrical, powertrain (other) and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 113 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical736.8%
  • Powertrain (other)421.1%
  • Engine421.1%
  • Visibility15.3%
  • Exterior lighting15.3%
  • Fuel system15.3%
  • Transmission15.3%

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

Safety recalls

1 campaign 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.gov
14E007000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Mar 7, 2014
50 units potentially affected
The defect: The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
The risk: A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The remedy: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
The Gates CorporationView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 13
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 25, 2020

TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN CAR IS WARM AND TRANSMISSION FLUID IS WARM/HOT.

NHTSA ID
11301861
Incident
Jun 1, 2018
Mileage
69,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Sep 27, 2015

MY 2003 AUDI TT QUATTRO HAS AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT, HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES REPLACING THE BULB AS WELL AS SWITCH. AFTER LOOKING AT NUMEROUS POSTS, IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A HUGE FAULT BY THE MANUFACTURER OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE. IN MY STATE YOU GET A TICKET FOR A SINGLE LIGHT OUT (NY) AND THIS HEADLIGHT FAILS INTERMITTENTLY EITHER WHEN AT 0MPH OR 60MPH. HUGE SAFETY CONCERN ESPECIALLY IF DRIVING AT NIGHT OR IN THE RAIN, ON TOP OF THE TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS.

NHTSA ID
10777914
Incident
Sep 24, 2015
Mileage
155,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 26, 2012

THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPLACEMENT FOR THE DIGITAL CLUSTER, THERMOSTAT AND COOLING PUMP. THEN I REPLACED THE CLUSTER FOR THE FIRST TIME 9/2011. SAME DAY AFTER PUTTING IN THE NEW CLUSTER THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND REPLACED A FEW DAYS LATER. THE CLUSTER WAS REPLACED AGAIN WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE WOULD NOT MOVE AND STAYED BELOW ZERO. ON THAT SAME DAY I PICK UP THE CAR AND DROVE LESS THAN A MILE AND THE DIGITAL CLUSTER FADED OUT TO A BLANK SCREEN. I TURN AROUND AND TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WAS INFORM THAT THEY WILL ORDER ANOTHER CLUSTER AND CALL ME FOR THE INSTALL WHICH WAS DONE A FEW DAYS LATER. NOW THE DIGITAL CLUSTER IS NOT MAKING ANY WARNING SOUNDS. WHEN I PRESS THE BUTTON MANUALLY TO SEE, IF THERE ARE ANY PROBLEMS IT SHOWED A SERVICE VISIT WAS COMING UP AND THE SYMBOL TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL AND WATER PUMP. THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THIS WAS NORMAL TO SEE WHICH CONTRADICTS THE CAR MANUAL AND ANOTHER AUTHORIZED DEALER IN A DIFFERENT STATE WHOM REPLACE THE COOLING PUMP AND THERMOSTAT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND INFORM THEM THAT THE CLUSTER WAS NOT ALARMING FOR ANY SERVICES COMING DUE OR PROBLEMS AND THE CAR NOW HAS A SLIGHT JERK FORWARD WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKES. THERE REPORT STATED DIFFERENTLY LIKE THE CAR RAN ROUGH, THE PANEL LIGHTS WERE FLASHING AND THE CAR SAT FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. THERE DIAGNOSTIC WAS THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT THE CLUSTER WAS FINE. WHEN I PICK UP THE CAR THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THE CAR WAS STILL IN GOOD SHAPE NO ALARM EXCEPT FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND ITS WAS NOT THAT BAD BUT AFTER I GOT HOME AND VIEWED THE PAPERWORK IT SHOWED EVERY COMPONENT ON THE VEHICLE INSPECTION REPORT NEEDED FURTHER ATTENTION. I PHONED THE NEXT DAY AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THE TECHNICIAN MAY HAVE MADE A MISTAKE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10463224
Incident
Jun 12, 2012
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 29, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI TT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

NHTSA ID
10459939
Incident
Jul 15, 2011
Mileage
52,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Nov 17, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI TT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE TRANSMISSION JERKED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FOR A FEW SECONDS. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25-35 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FIVE TIMES BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO THEN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,902. UPDATED 1/21/11 *CN UPDATED 04/18/11

NHTSA ID
10366575
Incident
Dec 15, 2009
Mileage
84,902 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 26, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI TT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENTAL CLUSTER MALFUNCTIONED AND ALL OF THE GAUGES WOULD READ INACCURATE INFORMATION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF AN UNKNOWN RECALL RELATIVE TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WOULD ONLY BE PERFORMED IF THE CONTACT HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID
10345280
Incident
Jan 14, 2007
Mileage
120,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jul 23, 2010

THE DIGITAL INSTRUMENT PANEL IS FAILING CURRENTLY IT DOES NOT REGISTER THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC CAUSING A DANGEROUS AND HAZARDOUS SITUATION. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR A SIMILAR FAILURE IN THE VEHICLES INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY AND WILL COST IN EXCESS OF $900 FOR THE PART, PLUS LABOR TO REPLACE THE ITEM ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 45,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS ALSO STORED IN A HEATED GARAGE IN THE WINTER SO, ELEMENTS SHOULD NOT BE A FACTOR IN THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE IS MOST LIKELY DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND REPLACEMENT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10344868
Incident
Jun 1, 2010
Mileage
41,300 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 24, 2010

2003 AUDI TT. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND TIMING BELT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL GAUGE AND OTHER COMPONENTS WERE NOT ACCURATE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND TIMING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE WAS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM FOR AUDI'S AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY AUDI. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT GIVEN A RATIONAL REASON FOR THE DENIAL. HOWEVER, AUDI STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP DENIED THE REQUEST. *JB

NHTSA ID
10340070
Incident
Jan 1, 1901

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

A0023742052680_4

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This bulletin provides information on the additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries.

SM 48-2022

EQUIPMENT

This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.

SM 32-2022

EQUIPMENT

This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.

A0021482021205_6

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; STRUCTURE

This informational bulletin explains how to order replacement VIN plates, Safety Certification Labels, etc.

A3720992060148_1

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION: OIL COOLER; POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:GEARS

This informational bulletin states to not replace parts for the beveling groove as it is normal.

A0020362002047_1

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

This information bulletin contains instructions for technicans on how to ensure their TAC call goes smoothly.

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

Audi Tt by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024000—
2023010—
2022000—
2021000—
2020000—
2019010—
2018010—
2017010—
2016320—
2015000—
2014000—
2013000—
2012000—
2011100—
2010411—
2009122153.6
2008142042.5
2007100—
2006410—
2005111029.8
2004252037.7
2003Viewing131030.6
2002382046.5
20011205049.3
2000736046.0
1999000—

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.