2003 Audi A8
The Verdict
The 2003 Audi A8 has 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (3 complaints) and electrical (2 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 98/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Audi A8, consider the 2010 model year which has 87% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2010 has 87% fewer complaints
View the 2010 Audi A8 dashboard →
Klunk Score: Smooth Ride
This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
REAR DRIVERS COIL SPRING FAILED, BROKE IN HALF CAUSING SUSPENSION TO FAIL AND DAMAGE RIM/TIRE. SERIOUS CONDITION IF DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. NO WARNING OF THE FAILURE PRIOR. *TR
THE CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH: CV JOINTS, CONTROL ARMS AND NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. NOW THERE IS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION CABLE. *TR
A HARD TURN AND QUICK ACCELERATION TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT LEAD TO POWER FAILURE TO THE WHEELS, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE CODE READ "SLIPPING TORQUE CONVERTER" THE CAR HAD ONLY 79,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF THIS OCCURRENCE. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS INJURED. AUDI REPAIR FACILITY TOLD ME THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, THE COST WOULD BE $900.00 FOR THE PART AND $2,000.00 FOR LABOR. THE REPAIRS HAVE YET TO BE MADE DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE PRICE FOR A FAULTY PART AND LABOR. THE PART IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
MY 2003 AUDI ALL ROAD HAS A CONTINUAL PULL TO THE RIGHT. IT WILL NOT DRIVE STRAIGHT FOR MORE THAN 5-8 SECONDS AT A TIME, ON MOST ROAD SURFACES. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS FOUR TIMES IN 3400 MILES. EACH TIME THE CAR WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND HAD TO BE ADJUSTED. THE SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTS THAT THE CAR IS PERFORMING TO FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS, BUT IT STILL HAS A PULL TO THE RIGHT. *LA
THE SIDEWALL RUPTURED ON A GOODYEAR WRANGLER F1, 225/55R17 TIRE. *JB
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN EXPLOSION AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WERE LOUD NOISES COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE AND PARTS OF THE VEHICLE WERE ON THE GROUND. THE CAR THEN WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY CLAIMED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN SOME TYPE OF IMPACT WHICH CAUSED THE EXPLOSION TO OCCUR, AND AUDI WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES. THE DEALERSHIP FAILED TO FIND THE PROPER REASON FOR EXPLOSION. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PURCHASE A RENTAL CAR AT HER OWN EXPENSE TO HAVE A VEHICLE. *MR *CB *JB
THE BLINDING BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS ON SOME NEW CARS ARE DANGEROUS. I FLASH MY BRIGHTS AT THEM THINKING THAT IS THE PROBLEM. IF CAR MANUFACTURERS CONTINUE TO PUT THEM ON NEW CARS, WILL THEY BE LIABLE FOR ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY THE BLINDING LIGHT? *JB
PLEASE ADD MY NAME TO THE LIST OF DRIVERS THAT ARE ADAMANTLY OPPOSED TO THE NEW BLUE/PURPLE HEADLIGHTS MANY OF THE NEW LUXURY CARS ARE FEATURING. THE LIGHT IS PIERCING AND A DANGER TO NIGHT TIME TRAFFIC. THESE NEW LIGHTS ARE EVEN DISTRACTING DURING DAYLIGHT. I BELIEVE THAT CARS EQUIPPED WITH THESE BLUE/PURPLE HEADLIGHTS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND THE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED. THEY ARE A DEFINITE HAZARD TO OTHER VEHICLES. *NLM