2003 Audi S4 problems
The Audi S4 is the high performance variant of Audi's compact executive car A4. The original Audi S4, built from 1991 until 1994, was a performance-oriented version of Audi's 100 saloon/sedan. All subsequent S4s since 1997 have been based on the Audi A4; and as the A4 has evolved from one generation to the next, so has the S4.
Like its regular A4 counterpart, all S4 variants have had longitudinally oriented, front-mounted engines. All versions of the S4 have their transmission mounted immediately at the rear of the engine in a longitudinal orientation, in the form of a transaxle, and like all Audi "S" cars, are only available as standard with Audi's quattro all-wheel drive (AWD) system, using a Torsen-based centre differential system. A more powerful internal combustion engine, larger upgraded brakes, firmer suspension, larger wheels, and distinctive sheetmetal, styling clues and badging have always been amongst the many upgrades the S4 receives over its mainstream 100 and A4 siblings. In markets where the even higher-performance Audi RS 4 is not offered, the S4 is the top-of-the-line trim of the A4 family.
A single turbocharged 2.2-litre inline five-cylinder powered the original C4 version, and a 2.7-litre twin turbocharged V6 engine was found in the B5 generation. The B6 and B7 versions shared a common 4.2-litre V8 engine, the first time that a V8 engine was placed in a compact executive car, placing it in direct competition with the BMW M3 (3.2 L inline 6) and Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG (3.2-litre supercharged V6). The B8 generation uses a supercharged 3.0-litre V6 TFSI engine and competed with the BMW 335i, BMW 335i/340i xDrive, and Mercedes-Benz C350. The current B9 generation is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 TFSI engine, with rivals including the BMW M340i xDrive and Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG/Mercedes-AMG C43 4MATIC.
All versions of the S4 have been manufactured at Audi's plant in Ingolstadt, Germany; they are, or have been available as a four-door five-seat saloon and a five-door five-seat Avant (Audi's name for an estate car/station wagon) body styles since the model's inception in 1991. A two-door four-seat Cabriolet (convertible) S4 variant was introduced as part of the B6 and B7 generation A4 lineups. The B8 Cabriolet has now been built off the A5 coupe body style and the "S" variant is marketed under the Audi S5 nameplate.
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Common 2003 Audi S4 problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the Audi S4 2003, several common problems have been identified:
- Glove Compartment Door Breaking Off: Another complaint involves the glove compartment door breaking off. This issue can be inconvenient and affect the functionality of the interior storage space, requiring repairs or replacement to restore the compartment's usability.
- Paint Peeling: Some owners have experienced paint peeling on their 2003 Audi S4. Paint issues not only affect the aesthetics of the vehicle but can also lead to rust and corrosion if left unattended, necessitating repainting or touch-up work to maintain the car's appearance and protect the bodywork.
- Leaking Oil: Leaking oil is another common problem reported by owners of the 2003 Audi S4. Oil leaks can indicate various issues such as worn gaskets, seals, or other components, which can lead to engine damage if oil levels are not maintained or leaks are not fixed promptly.
- Flickering Bi-Xenon Headlights: Owners have also complained about flickering bi-xenon headlights in the 2003 Audi S4. This issue can be a safety concern, affecting visibility while driving at night or in adverse weather conditions. It may be caused by electrical problems or issues with the headlight assembly that require inspection and repair.
These common problems with the Audi S4 2003 highlight the importance of regular maintenance, prompt attention to any warning signs, and addressing issues early to prevent more significant and costly repairs in the future. Regular inspections, timely repairs, and adherence to maintenance schedules can help owners keep their Audi S4 in optimal condition and minimize the risk of experiencing these common problems.
Is the Audi S4 engine reliable?
The S4 is known to have a lot of issues like a failed thermostat, turbocharger failure, engine oil leaks, and premature brake wear, among others. Maintaining an unreliable sedan like the Audi S4 can be costly, but facing a few common issues is worth it if owning a high-performance car can give you a lot of joy.
How many miles do Audi S4 last?
A well maintained AUDI can be expected to last a LONG LONG time, as in twenty or thirty years and three or four hundred thousand miles.
Is an Audi S4 a fast car?
0-60 MPH Times
Looking at the numbers, the S4 ranks above most competitors in performance. The 0-60 mph time for the Audi S4 in our testing was 4.2 seconds.
What is the top speed of the Audi S4 2003?
Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155.3 mph). The B6 S4 saloon and Avant variants ceased factory production in December 2004, with the Cabriolet ending twelve months later at December 2005.
Is the Audi S4 engine reliable?
Audi S4 Reliability Rating Breakdown. The Audi S4 Reliability Rating is 2.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 27th out of 31 for luxury midsize cars. The average annual repair cost is $1,171 which means it has poor ownership costs.
Is Audi 4.2 engine reliable?
The Audi 4.2 V8 engine is a high-performance engine produced by the German automaker Audi. First introduced in the early 1990s, this engine quickly gained a reputation for its exceptional power, efficiency, and durability.
What engine is in a 2003 Audi S4?
AUDI S4 4.2L V8 quattro 6MT (344 HP)
| ENGINE SPECS - 4.2L V8 quattro 6MT (344 HP) | |
|---|---|
| Displacement: | 4163 cm3 |
| Power: | 253 KW @ 7000 RPM 344 HP @ 7000 RPM 339 BHP @ 7000 RPM |
| Torque: | 302 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM 410 Nm @ 3500 RPM |
| Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
What is the top speed of the Audi S4 2003?
Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155.3 mph). The B6 S4 saloon and Avant variants ceased factory production in December 2004, with the Cabriolet ending twelve months later at December 2005.
2003 Audi S4 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Audi S4 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Power train problems
- Steering problems
- Tires problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Exterior lighting problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2003 Audi S4 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2003 Audi S4 complaints
The NHTSA has received 6 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2003 Audi S4.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2007-11-05
- VIN: WAULT64B63N
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 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
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-03-09
- VIN: WAUPL68EX4A
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. *NM
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-04-13
- VIN: WA1YD64B13N
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 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
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-10-01
- VIN: WA1YD64B93N
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: THE SIDEWALL RUPTURED ON A GOODYEAR WRANGLER F1, 225/55R17 TIRE. *JB
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-05-05
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: 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
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-06-17
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: 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
2003 Audi S4 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2003 Audi S4.
- Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
- Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF XENON HEADLAMP COATING DEGRADATION OVER TIME. THE LUMINOUS TRANSMITTANCE OF THE HEADLAMP MAY DECREASE OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.
- Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD AFFECT A DRIVER'S FIELD OF VIEW, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT XENON HEADLAMP REFLECTORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 11, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2003 Audi S4 problems:
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