Model year guide

2003 Audi A6

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Audi A6 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 32 on record.

2003 Audi A6 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2003 Audi A6 at a glance

Safety recalls7
Owner complaints71
Combined21 mpg
Typical price$2,750

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2003 Audi A6 recalls 7

Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly NHTSA Campaign #11V267000 · 03/05/2011

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 AUDI A6, MODEL YEAR 2002-2003 S6 AND MODEL YEAR 2003 RS6 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.2L ENGINES AND MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 19, 2001, THROUGH JUNE 8, 2004. THE AGING OF THE PLASTIC MATERIAL IN THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE COMBINED WITH BENDING STRESS FROM THE ALUMINUM VENTILATION LINE TO THE ROLLOVER VALVE NIPPLE MAY LEAD TO CRACKING OF THE NIPPLE. IF THIS HAPPENS, …

Fix: DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE NIPPLE ON THE ROLLOVER VALVE TO PREVENT LEAKAGE OR REPAIR THE CRACKING AT THE NIPPLE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly NHTSA Campaign #08V157000 · 08/04/2008

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 68,240 MY 2001-2004 AUDI A6 QUATTRO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.7L, 2.8L, OR 3.0L ENGINES AND MY 2001-2005 ALLROAD QUATTRO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.7L OR 4.2L ENGINES. THE AGING OF THE PLASTIC MATERIAL IN THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE COMBINED WITH BENDING STRESS FROM THE ALUMINUM VENTILATION LINE TO THE ROLLOVER VALVE NIPPLE MAY LEAD TO CRACKING OF THE NIPPLE. IF THIS HAPPENS, A FUEL LEAK MAY …

Fix: DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE NIPPLE ON THE ROLLOVER VALVE TO PREVENT LEAKAGE OR REPAIR THE CRACKING AT THE NIPPLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 27, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.

Electrical System NHTSA Campaign #06V198000 · 05/06/2006

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HALOGEN LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS, CERTAIN CONNECTOR PINS IN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CONNECTOR COME INTO CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT. NOTE: VEHICLES WITH XENON LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT AFFECTED BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT IN THESE VEHICLES CONTAINS A FUSE, WHICH PRECLUDES EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW IN THE CASE OF A SHORT CIRCUIT. AUDI S6 AND S6 AVANT VEHICLES ARE ALL…

Fix: DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS BY INSTALLING A JUMPER WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 16, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #06V017000 · 23/01/2006

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM SEPTEMBER 2002 - MARCH 2003, EQUIPPED WITH 1.8L TURBO, 2.8L V6, OR 3.0L ENGINES, A CHANGE IN THE ELECTRICAL MOTOR COMPONENTS IN THE FUEL PUMP CAN LEAD TO AN INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP AND, ULTIMATELY, STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO STALL.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-222-8987 OR AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #07V375000 · 28/08/2007

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.8L TURBO, 2.8L V6, OR 3.0L ENGINES, A CHANGE IN THE ELECTRICAL MOTOR COMPONENTS IN THE FUEL PUMP CAN LEAD TO AN INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP AND, ULTIMATELY, STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO STALL.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 28, 20007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-222-8987 OR AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834. THIS RECALL IS A SUPPLEMENT TO A PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN (PLEASE SEE 06V017).

Air Bags:frontal NHTSA Campaign #02V275000 · 09/10/2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3-SPOKE SPORT STEERING WHEELS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE IGNITER FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ASSEMBLED.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAGS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 18, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.

Electrical System NHTSA Campaign #04V133000 · 18/03/2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, IF A DRIVER'S KNEES PUSH AGAINST THE KNEE BOLSTER (CRASH ELEMENT) LOCATED UNDER THE DASHBOARD, IT CAN CONTACT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WIRING HARNESS, AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD OCCUR.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVERING ON THE KNEE BOLSTER (CRASH ELEMENT). IN ADDITION, THE WIRING HARNESS AS WELL AS THE FELT PROTECTOR ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD CARRIER WILL BE CHECKED, AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 26, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-8…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2003 Audi A6 common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 71 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2003 Audi A6 MPG & running costs

Combined21 mpg
City18 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,600

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2003 Audi A6 worth?

Low
$1,000
Typical price
$2,750
High
$5,200

From 32 comparable 2003 Audi A6 listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2003 Audi A6 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,000
Depreciation (5 yrs)$2,400
Total$20,400
Per mile$0.27

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($2,750) with the same model 4 model-years older ($850), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2003 Audi A6 trims & engines on record

Trims
3.0 quattro · 3 · 2.7T quattro · 3.0 Avant quattro · quattro
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl 220 hp · 2.7L 6-cyl 250 hp

2003 Audi A6 vehicles on record

2003 Audi A6 2003 Audi A6 3WAUJT64BX3N039306 2003 Audi A6 3.0 quattroWAULT64B63N101650 2003 Audi A6 2003 Audi A6 3WAUJT64B03N056096 2003 Audi A6 2003 Audi A6 3.0 quattroWAULT64B23N006244 2003 Audi A6 2003 Audi A6 3.0 quattroWAULT64B43N080538 2003 Audi A6 2003 Audi A6 2.7T quattroWAULD64B43N048895 2003 Audi A6 2003 Audi A6 3WAUJT64B63N062002 2003 Audi A6 3.0 quattroWAULT64B43N084525 2003 Audi A6 2003 Audi A6 3.0 quattroWAULT64B23N027675 2003 Audi A6 2003 Audi A6 3.0 quattroWAULT64B53N058757 2003 Audi A6 2003 Audi A6 3.0 quattroWAULT64B33N008651 2003 Audi A6 2003 Audi A6 3WAUJT64B23N016893 2003 Audi A6 2003 Audi A6 3.0 quattroWAULT64B73N038445 2003 Audi A6 2003 Audi A6 3.0 quattroWAULT64B23N017311 2003 Audi A6 2003 Audi A6 2.7T quattroWAULD64B63N012271 2003 Audi A6 2003 Audi A6 3.0 Avant quattroWAUVT64B03N044841 2003 Audi A6 3.0 quattroWAULT54B53N084902 2003 Audi A6 2.7T quattroWAULD64B23N004796 2003 Audi A6 2003 Audi A6 2.7T quattroWAULD64B13N112746 2003 Audi A6 2003 Audi A6 2.7T quattroWAULD64B93N108007 2003 Audi A6 2003 Audi A6 3.0 quattroWAULT64B43N074464 2003 Audi A6 2003 Audi A6 3.0 Avant quattroWAUVT64B53N001001 2003 Audi A6 2003 Audi A6 3.0 quattroWAULT64B73N019684 2003 Audi A6 3WAUJT64B33N049613

Other Audi A6 model years

2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996

2003 Audi A6 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Audi A6 have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls for the 2003 Audi A6. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Audi A6?

Based on 71 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, fuel/propulsion system, engine.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Audi A6 get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2003 Audi A6 at about 21 mpg combined (18 city / 25 highway).

How much is a 2003 Audi A6 worth?

Comparable 2003 Audi A6 listings run roughly $1,000–$5,200, typically around $2,750 (from 32 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.