Model year guide

2003 Audi rs6

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Audi rs6 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 3 on record.

2003 Audi rs6 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2003 Audi rs6 at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints48
Combined16 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2003 Audi rs6 recalls 2

Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly NHTSA Campaign #11V267000 · manufacturer #20L8/JY · 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, A …

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.

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 1-800-…

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2003 Audi rs6 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Other
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2003 Audi rs6 MPG & running costs

Combined16 mpg
City14 mpg
Highway20 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$5,150
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic (S5)
Forced inductionTurbocharged
Passenger volume96 cu ft
Cargo volume15 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$13,750 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2003 Audi rs6 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$25,750
Fuel only$25,750
Per mile$0.34

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 54

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 54.

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

Bulletin A0023742052680_4 · Equipment · Oct 2023

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

Bulletin A0021482021205_6 · Structure, Equipment · Jun 2021

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.

Bulletin A941791 2012749- · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2017

This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.

Bulletin SM 44-2017 EN · Equipment · Jun 2017

This informational bulletin contains all the the Audi Oil Quality Standards that should be used when doing an oil change.

Bulletin A171782 2010043- · Engine · May 2017

Due to increasing requests for high voltage personal protective equipment (HVE PPE) for dealer technicians working with high voltage vehicles (Hybrid, Plugin Hybrid, Electric Vehicle), the Volkswagen Tools and Equipment Team has identified two US based supplie…

Bulletin ATE-17-05 · Equipment · Mar 2017

This information TSB provides information regarding the correct way to torque adjust a wheel bolt.

Bulletin A441662 2010334- · Wheels · Oct 2016

AUDI: ENGINE, ON SOME VEHICLES, WOULD RUN IRREGULARLY OR HAVE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON OR POSSIBLE FILTER ELEMENT FOR CAMSHAFT ADJUSTMENT VALVE CAN LOOSEN AND IN OIL CIRCUIT, THERE IS NO DAMAGE FROM LOOSENED PARTICLES. MODEL ALL. ALL YEARS. *PE

Bulletin SB-01-15-29 · Engine · Jul 2015

High quality media files (video and sound) are now integrated into technical service bulletins on a case-by-case basis. Media files can now be viewed on any smartphone or tablet.

Bulletin 00147020392061 · Equipment · Dec 2014

High quality media files (video and sound) are now integrated into technical service bulletins on a case-by-case basis. Media files can now be viewed on any smartphone or tablet.

Bulletin 00147020392061 · Electrical System, Equipment · Dec 2014

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the RS6. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Audi rs6

The Audi RS 6 is a high-performance variant of the Audi A6 range, produced by the high-performance subsidiary company Audi Sport GmbH, for its parent company Audi AG, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, from 2002 onwards.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2003 Audi rs6 trims & engines on record

Engines
4.2L 8-cyl 450 hp

2003 Audi rs6 vehicles on record

Other Audi rs6 model years

2003 Audi rs6 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Audi rs6 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2003 Audi rs6. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Audi rs6?

Across all 48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are suspension, fuel system, gasoline.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Audi rs6 get?

The 2003 Audi rs6 has a U.S. EPA estimate of 16 mpg combined (14 city / 20 highway).

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