2003 Audi TT: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 13 owner complaints on record; most reports concern electrical system.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My 2003 audi tt quattro has an intermittent headlight, have tried numerous times replacing the bulb as well as switch. After looking at numerous posts, it is clear that this is a huge fault by the manufacturer of headlight failure. In my state you get a ticket for a single light out (ny) and this headlight fails intermittently either when at 0mph or 60mph. Huge safety concern especially if driving at night or in the rain, on top of the traffic violations.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 audi tt. While driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle began to jerk forward. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics. The technician stated that the transmission would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 52,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 2003 audi tt. The contact was driving while accelerating from a stop, the transmission jerked and would not accelerate for a few seconds. The failure also occurred while the contact was driving 25-35 mph. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer five times but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who then stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 84,902. Updated 1/21/11 *cn updated 04/18/11”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2009
Show 5 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 audi tt. The contact stated that the entire instrumental cluster malfunctioned and all of the gauges would read inaccurate information. The contact received notification of an unknown recall relative to the failure. The dealer advised that the recall repair would only be performed if the contact had experienced the failure described in the recall. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was advised there was an electrical failure within the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2007
“Oil consumption of vehicle is very high. For the first 30000 miles oil consumption was normal. Now the vehicle runs low on oil every 3000 miles. Advised by audi that it is normal for the vehichle to burn 1 quart every 1000 miles, but as stated earlier, this did not happen for the first 30000 miles. Also advised by audi to keep a quart of oil in my trunk. Nothing was done to correct the issue.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2004
“2003 audi tt. Consumer states problem with instrument cluster and timing belt *tgw the consumer stated the fuel gauge and other components were not accurate. The dealership determined that the instrument cluster and timing belt needed to be replaced. The consumer stated instrument cluster failure was a well known problem for audi's and it should have been covered by audi. The consumer was not given a rational reason for the denial. However, audi stated that the dealership denied the request. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 1901
“2003 audi tt roadster problems with instrument cluster. Consumer states that there are now safety issues resulting the instrument cluster failure. *kb the odometer and temperature gauges no longer functioned. The consumer had no way of knowing the engine operating temperature and he only discovered there was a problem after the display indicated an alarmingly high engine temperature.*jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 1901
“Express mail fwding motor vehicle defect notification for a 2003 audi coupe. *ph the vehicle jerked and vibrated while in reverse. The engine light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. *jb”Owner report · Power Train
Recalls - 1 campaign
The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
Remedy: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2003 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact TT by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Audi TT reliable?
NHTSA has 13 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2003 Audi TT. The most complained-about area is electrical system.
Does the 2003 Audi TT have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:engine. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.