2003 Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 2003

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2003 Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 repairs by problem area

Engine (51%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (7%)

Brakes and Traction Control (3%)

Suspension and Steering (8%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (21%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (3%)

Other (7%)

Chart based on 360 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2003 Audi A4 / S4 / RS4.

2003 Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 engine repair cost distribution

$2500+ (7%)

$1000 - $2499 (16%)

$500 - $999 (18%)

$100 - $499 (32%)

< $100 (27%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 153 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2003 Audi A4 4dr Wagon

turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

78120 mi

C $30
Coil pack failure, replaced with OEM part. 
78740 mi

C $25
Had to replace coil pack. Second one in as many months. 
86180 mi coolant temp sensor 
73000 mi

US $1437
Coolant leak; hoses and seals replaced; 80k service completed at same time 

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2003 Audi A4 4dr Wagon

turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4 5-speed manual AWD

143100 mi

C $40
Progressively worsening leaking "J-plug" on the thermostat housing. Self replaced, was a PITA. Engine block breather tube deteriorated, then split and torn. Replaced this one part and successfully connected into remaining original breather system w/o the other tubing/ valve crumbling and breaking Part cost $45. 
141360 mi

C $120
Vacuum line had small leak causing rough idle even though drivability and power were fine during acceleration and at speed. 
115320 mi

C $205
Flex pipe rotted out, was replaced 
121520 mi

C $25
Cylinder 3 misfire. Coil pack replaced 
125860 mi

C $70
Diverter valve malfunctioned; replaced but caused turbo to leak coolant into the oil. Will need to be replaced at a later date. 
128320 mi

C $630
Motor mounts had failed and were leaking. Mounts replaced. 
71010 mi

US $260
Replace radiator Replace driver side rear diff seal Replace center diff output seal 
104800 mi

US $18
Lower coolant temp sensor failed. 
124000 mi

US $500
Turbocharger replaced. 
128000 mi Replace all 4 ignition coils. Replace main coolant temp sensor. 
128700 mi

US $40
Replace primary O2 sensor. 
132000 mi

US $300
Replace exhaust. 
143000 mi

US $5
Replace cracked dipstick tube. Replace j plug and turbo coolant lines. 
143300 mi

US $28
Replace cam cover and intake cam seal. 
144000 mi

US $2000
Replace cam seal Replace VVT gasket Replace timing belt/water pump/tensioner Replace thermostat 
120000 mi All 4 coil packs replaced. 
129000 mi

US $395
Rear coolant flange needed replacement. 
131000 mi

US $650
Cylinder head and valves failed, small hairline cracks on 2nd cylinder. 
92000 mi

US $200
One spark plug coil failed Exhaust pipe rust hole repaired by replacing pipe 
96000 mi

US $400
Original exhaust hanger was rusted off, new one welded on 

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2003 Audi A4 4dr Wagon

136400 mi

$800
Require new fuel pump 

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2003 Audi A4 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD

80000 mi

US $600
Valve cover gasket was bad and leaking thus ruining 1 or more coilpacks 
63000 mi

US $6100
I drove off the used car lot and five miles down the road the light came on. Coolant waring light came on and overheating. Replaced the water pump and timing belt. (Then we got the car back and the head gasket was blown and that's still not fixed.) the car has a blown head gasket and a cracked head. 
64000 mi

US $756
 

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2003 Audi A4 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

64000 mi

US $912
coolant leaking replaced a few clips, conduits and a coolant flange  
113300 mi

US $350
Cam shaft positioning sensor replaced 
28000 mi

US $19000
36000 miles took to dealer for leaking Valve cover gasket and they said a Motor Mount needed to be replaced also. Covered under warranty 
51000 mi

US $240
DIY change Coil Packs, One way valve and spark plugs. 
52000 mi

US $80
MIL light P0171 code. Determined that a check valve was cracked causing a vacuum/boost leak. removed and replaced and cleared MIL 
54000 mi

US $100
Car not heating up. replaced thermostat 
60000 mi

US $30
Misfire cylinder 1. Replaced coil pack 
67580 mi

C $1400
Replace camshaft tensioner gasket & valve cover. Replace secondary injection flange. 
71300 mi

C $150
Oil leak tracked to valve cover. Could have been because of the extreme cold that day (-35C). 
74400 mi

C $1300
Dealer replaced valve cover gasket. Water pump impeller blade was broken and replaced by shop. Timing belt replaced. 
99200 mi

C $60
Fitted third heater core to the car 
99700 mi

C $400
Turbo boost low. New Dump valve fitted. Update April 2017: didn't fix, turbo boost issue still present but not a big problem- drives ok. 
105900 mi

C $170
Failed injector, dealer wanted to replace all 4 and all 4 plugs. Had car towed home and repaired myslef for $170. Flexpipe broken Repaired injectors myself. 
109100 mi

C $270
Radiator leaking at seals (plastic to metal on passenger side) 
56000 mi

US $8500
oil pressure light on. engine replacement necessary due to oil sludge. 
58000 mi coil pack went bad causing engine to misfire. 
75000 mi

US $35
Oil dipstick tube leaving residue inside, dripping into oil. 
68000 mi

US $1100
Replaced the entire exhaust system. 
120000 mi

US $250
water pump failed and leak all antifreeze on the road. Had to keep filling with h20 to get it home. Happened close to home. Did the serpintine belt and timing belt with tensioner too. 
165000 mi

US $4750
Spark plug wires shorting out and warn out. 
178000 mi

US $30
Replacing thermostat 
198000 mi Timing belt broke 

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2003 Audi A4 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD

50000 mi Misfire when cold 
52000 mi Misfire at startup 
156000 mi

US $2000
valve cover gasket cracked due to the hose providing the coolant and water breaking off got water and oil into the spark plugs 
61000 mi

US $500
Flange connecting evaporator to radiator....close to this anyhow. At 7 years old and 61,000 miles it will also need a new clutch soon we were told. Sounds normal for the age and mileage. 
157300 mi

US $250
Fuel pump started to make a loud whining sound during vehicle operation and caused issues when attempting to start the car. Replaced with an OEM fuel pump. 
157600 mi

US $900
Original clutch began to slip. Replaced with new, aftermarket clutch with a higher torque rating. Original motor and transmission mounts replaced. 
45000 mi ECU failure. Vehicle was still drivable, but the CEL was not able to be cleared. Replaced under warranty. 
65000 mi

US $300
Fuel pump failed, repaired myself 
67000 mi

US $220
Radiator leaking, replaced, did the repair myself 

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2003 Audi A4 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4 5-speed manual AWD

218000 mi

US $1000
Misfiring Cylinder Ignition Coils Oil in Cylinders 
75000 mi Sold with oil leak in engine near timing belt area. 
124500 mi

US $1250
CEL 2181 cooling out of range. Replaced thermostat and manifold. Serpentine belt and tensioner replaced 
129000 mi

US $850
Replace flex pipe in exhaust 
135000 mi

US $500
Small coolant leak traced to famous coolant flange 
50000 mi

US $50
Replaced all 4 coilpacks (under warranty) 
121800 mi

US $180
Exhaust separation. Stainless steel flex pipe was used to replace the separated section. 
116000 mi

US $600
Cracked pcv valve, and several other vaccuum valves in the engine area. 
129000 mi

US $600
Oil pressure light came on, pickup tube in oil pan was clogged, replace tube. Also replaced engine mount. 
82000 mi

US $650
Coolant light kept coming on. Found a leak in one or two hoses going into coolant system and worn ring. Will give move details when I pick up car tomorrow. 
90000 mi

US $1266
Removed and replaced timing belt, timing components and water pump. Drained engine oil. and removed and replaced engine air filter. Checked fluids. Inflated and adjusted tire pressure. Removed and replaced engine oil level module; 
90000 mi

US $1200
MIL was on. Thought problem was coil pack. Mechanic found cause of MIL to be rotten crankhouse vent hose, not coil pack. Had item replaced, slight valve cover leak noticed as well. 
117000 mi CEL came on, replaced the temperature sensor. 
126200 mi

US $558
replaced ugly looking coolant and coolant tank. was told by tech that previous person might have added the wrong coolant for top off. tech advised another coolant flush would be ideal to flush out old/bad coolant. 
144000 mi

US $148
replaced mass air flow sensor 
155000 mi

US $1798
ECU tune for big turbo. New injectors, battery, and spark plugs. Replaced bad 3-way valve & jet pump. stock turbo went bad, replaced with big turbo.  new coolant and expansion tank reservoir. 
160000 mi

US $2000
Replaced bad boost pressure sensor 
163919 mi

US $2500
clutch was slipping, replaced with upgraded clutch & flywheel kit coolant leak, replaced coolant flange from a previous job at a different shop replaced mass air flow housing 
89900 mi

C $100
Replaced first coil pack (Failure) 
89900 mi

C $1200
Water pump replacement. 
52000 mi

US $400
replaced coolant flange at rear of engine block - leaking. 
60000 mi

US $570
thermostat failed, replaced. replaced defective thermostat. 
70000 mi

US $275
Ignition Coils #1 and #2 went bad causing engine light to come on. This caused the car to shudder and was advised not to be driven and was towed to a auto shop recommended by a friend who is good at import euro cars. THERE IS A Campaign NOW. 
44000 mi

US $100
valve cover gasket leak, repaired. 
50000 mi

US $200
cracked radiator seam 
62000 mi

US $60
Typical thermostat failure. replacing part takes 2-3 hours. 
62000 mi

US $300
Car unable to start, no diagnosis so far. 
63000 mi Low oil pressure light, checked oil pick up tube inside oil pan and found nothing. Cleaned oil tube and performed oil change, also cleaned oil pressure switch contact. Light did not return. 
99800 mi

US $150
Replaced mass air flow sensor 
104000 mi

US $20
Suction jet pump failed, replaced unit 
109000 mi

US $10
Replaced crank position sensor 
75000 mi

US $675
valve cover gasket worn, had it replaced coolant shooting out from rear of engine. Replaced Rear engine flange. 
85000 mi

US $500
fuel filter clogged, resulting in a burnt pump. Replaced fuel filter as well. 
45000 mi

US $300
coolant leak from rear of engine 
45250 mi

US $200
coil failed 
83800 mi coil failed 
90500 mi

US $600
Plastic check valve failed causing a leak 

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2003 Audi A4 4dr Sedan

220-horsepower 3.0L V6 6-speed manual AWD

133300 mi

US $2552
replaced accessory belt tensioner and serpentine belt 
152000 mi

US $500
Replaced coil packs due to CEL codes 
88000 mi

US $2500
Pcv valve froze. Blew out seals. oil leaks everywhere.new pcv valve timing belt and seals. 
150000 mi

US $50
Exhaust connector rusted thru 
147000 mi

US $110
Replaced noisy accessory belt tensioner. Replaced belt while I was in there. Noise is gone. 
153000 mi

US $35
It was just a cracked expansion tank that was replaced.  
157000 mi

US $200
Pre Cat O2 sensor on passengers side had short. Replaced both sensors on B1 Replaced coolant temp sensor to clear random misfires only noticeable with diagnostic monitor. This was a long term problem that was fixed by random maintenance. 
165000 mi

US $110
Replaced pre and post O2 sensors on Bank2.  Replaced check valve and broken vac line as well. 
70899 mi

US $1351
Replace all coil packs, evap system purge valve Replace front brake pads and rotors Replace driver window switch module 
75000 mi Oil pressure sending switch. 
90000 mi

US $50
Coolant temp sensor intermittent failure. coolant expansion tank replaced because it was leaking. 
122400 mi

US $700
replaced catalytic coverter 
237000 mi

US $7
coolant temp sensor gasket failed. 
135000 mi

US $120
Coil pack replacement 
147500 mi Intake actuator drive unit developed internal vacuum leak. I plugged a vacuum like associated with the leak. Now only 1/2 of the actuator draws vacuum. Not a perfect fix, but its getting the job done. 
150000 mi

US $75
Replaced upstream oxygen sensor on the drivers side 
150000 mi worn rubber hoses 
132000 mi

US $510
Change OEM silencer (Middle mufflers) 
147900 mi

US $1500
Changing the cam seal of the right blank 
125800 mi

US $1500
Freeze Plug on the waterpump began to leak. Waterpump was still good, with only 40K miles on the pump. Water pump had to be replaced to stop the leak. $1500 repair b/c behind the timing cover. 
142000 mi

US $500
coolant leak 
173000 mi 2nd repair of pipe on rear of engine 18 months ago. Warrantied, otherwise $700 cost. 

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2003 Audi A4 4dr Sedan

220-horsepower 3.0L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

106000 mi Ignition Coils replaced under warranty. 
62000 mi

US $2800
CAT converter 
68000 mi

US $1200
Fuel pump ... died in the fast lane 
50500 mi

US $190
The gas pedal position sensor malfunctioned, causing the car to accelerate out of control. I needed to put the car in neutral in order to get it stopped! The part failed just 500 miles after the warranty ran out. The total repair cost was $190. 
208320 mi

C $2000
Timing belt, rollers water pump Valve cover gaskets replaced Replaced flex joints in exhaust 
212040 mi

C $350
Gas smell in cabin, replaced purge valve 
53465 mi

US $800
replace two oxygen sensors 
54547 mi

US $250
replace two crankcase breather tubes that had cracked 
108000 mi

US $250
Yellow oil sensor display on instrument cluster. Replaced oil pressure sensor. 
99200 mi

C $412
Front crankcase oil seal popped out of housing, massive oil leak. 
110800 mi

US $200
I have the 3.0 V-6. Ignition coils were replaced Dec 2010 with new, improved design under recall. One of the new ignition coils briefly failed (set code). Replaced it. 
125500 mi Ck engine light on intermittently. Code diagnosis indicates one catalytic converter needs to be replaced. Discussed with several mechanics and decided not to replace. No drivability issues and likely will not impact operation for a long time if ever. 
134300 mi

US $1150
Replaced water pump 
140300 mi

US $170
Replaced faulty crank position sensor 
145500 mi

US $200
Replaced one faulty ignition coil. 
150300 mi

US $700
Engine cooling module replaced. Fault prevented the electrically driven engine cooling fan from turning on. 
71000 mi

US $1200
timing belt and steering pump 
66000 mi

US $350
Exhaust system was making a loud noise. Took it to local mechanic who recommended a Meineke shop who would weld in a new piece. both sides of the car had to be done. 

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2003 Audi A4 4dr Sedan

67580 mi

A $2500
Replaced all known parts that fault after 100000kms 

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2003 Audi A4 2dr Convertible

turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD

51300 mi

US $900
Leaky gasket 
60000 mi

US $389
Oxygen sensor faulty, Replaced. 
77000 mi

US $25
Replace temp sensor because readout was intermittent 

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2003 Audi A4 2dr Convertible

220-horsepower 3.0L V6 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD

83300 mi

US $202
Coil #2 replaced 
44000 mi

US $14500
Replace the coil packs, oil change, and replace 4 tires. 
49000 mi

US $1700
Check engine light on. Car 'spluttering' at idle. New Cam Shaft seals identified as problem area. 

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2003 Audi A4 / S4 / RS4

turbocharged 4-cylinder diesel manual 2WD

138880 mi

€275
Tensioner pulley which tensions auxillary belt for power steering, compressor and alternator went faulty. Front bumper and radiator had to be removed to get at the tensioner! 

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2003 Audi A4 / S4 / RS4

Engine not specified

62000 mi

US $1200
Timing belt replaced due to water pump leakage, and valve seal replaced due to oil leakage. 
43000 mi Carmax told me I had engine sludge. Audi mechanic looked at oil cap, said it was bad sludge, but after two days with my car they said it was normal. Also replaced cupholder, battery, ball joint, and flushed brake fluid. 
138880 mi

$1700
camshafts got broken (2.5tdi) with automatic gearbox, that was weird 

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2003 Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 4-door

turbocharged 4-cylinder diesel manual AWD

280240 mi

€300
Intercooler had a crack, needed to be replaced. 
318680 mi

€100
The syphon tube where the dipstick goes cracked and had to be replaced. Coolant pipe perished and cracked 
324260 mi Intercooler replaced after crack appeared. 

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2003 Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 Engine Problems

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