2003 Audi RS6 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
43 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
44,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 40 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 24 of 43 complaints (55.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 14.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 7.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 24 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 |
| Suspension:Front:Shock Absorber | 4 |
| Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Suspension:Front | 3 |
| Suspension:Rear | 3 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
Suspension: 24; Fuel System, Gasoline: 5; Suspension:Front:Shock Absorber: 4; Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Suspension:Front: 3; Suspension:Rear: 3; Electrical System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 19 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 19; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (19). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 20 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2004: 2; 2006: 4; 2007: 5; 2008: 20; 2009: 1; 2010: 4; 2011: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10232120 · 2008-06-24 (June 24, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI RS6. THE CONTACT SMELLS GASOLINE NEAR THE FUEL TANK, ESPECIALLY NEAR THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE SMELL IS NOTICEABLE USUALLY AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND PARKED IN AN ENCLOSED SPACE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER OR MECHANIC AT THIS TIME. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 44,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 44,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10232120 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10359605 · 2010-10-08 (October 8, 2010)
I WOULD SMELL FUEL WHENEVER FILLED TANK ABOVE 3/4TH'S. HAD PERSONAL MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT, DETERMINED IT WAS THE ROLL OVER VALVE ON THE FUEL TANK. CALLED AUDI OF AMERICA, WHICH STATED VEHICLE WAS STILL COVERED UNDER CPO WARRANTY. BROUGHT TO AUDI DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FUEL TANK AND RELATED PARTS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 43,093 miles reported. Look up ODI 10359605 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10227992 · 2008-05-16 (May 16, 2008)
I HAVE AN AUDI RS6 AND MY DRC AND TRANSMISSION IS ACTING UP. I HEARD IT IS A PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF AUDIS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10227992 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10418252 · 2011-08-09 (August 9, 2011)
TRANSMISSION WOULD OCCASIONALLY SLIP TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC I HAD TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER AS I COULDN'T ACCELERATE. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE CAR THAT HAS MUCH MORE POWER THAN MOST VEHICLES SO UNDER NORMAL OPERATIONS ACCELERATION SHOULD BE QUICK & FAST. THIS FIRST STARTED WITH ONLY 35~40,000 MILES ON THE CAR. ALL RS6 OWNERS BEGIN TO LEARN THAT THE ONLY TWO WEEK POINTS IN THE CAR ARE THE SUSPENSION AND THE TRANSMISSION. THANKS TO THE NHTSA THE VEHICLES WERE FINALLY RECALLED FOR SUSPENSION FAILURES. NOW WE ARE LEFT WITH A S…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10418252 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10074187 · 2004-05-25 (May 25, 2004)
ON STAR SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED DIFFERENT BATTERY. IT WORKED FINE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS, THEN THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. IT HAS HAPPENED FIVE (5) TIMES. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO(2) DIFFERENT DEALERS. AUDI OF ROCHESTER HILLS;45411 DEQUINDRE ROAD; ROCHESTER HILLS, MI 48307; [phone removed]. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10074187 at NHTSA ↗