2003 Audi A3 Sport from UK and Ireland - Comments

Emission Control System has failed 3 times in 4 months.

Clutch Cylinder failed at 6000 miles.

Car has consumed 5 litres of oil in just over 6000 miles from new.

Drivers seat squeaks when riding on slightly uneven roads.

The Model we bought had an upgraded CD/stereo made by Sony and Speaker system designed by BOSE - undoubtedly the highlight of the car (not made by Audi!).

When it's not having faults fixed, the car is very quick, handles the road well and has a great sporty 6 speed gearbox.

Unfortunately our car is currently being held by Audi whilst we await the decision of a refund/replacement. Audi cannot currently resolve the oil and emission problems and have admitted this to me.

I am prepared to accept that things can go wrong with cars, even new ones. What defines the quality of a brand of car is how well the company handles the situation when things do go wrong. I'm afraid to say that Audi have handled our case appallingly. If you buy this car and have problems with it (like I have) you will be passed between: the dealership you bought the car from; the dealership that has the car for repair; Audi Roadside Assistance, Audi Customer Care and in our case, the finance company (Audi finance). Each of these parties will play you off each other with expertise; you will find that no-one will take responsibility for your problems and you will struggle to get anything resolved. It took me 13 phone calls one day just to arrange insurance for my partner on the Ford Focus we were supplied as a replacement car.

In summary - it's a nice car (if a little unreliable) but please be prepared for very substandard after sales support should anything go wrong with the vehicle.

I agree with your review. my new (53) a3 1.6sport broke down 5 times on the motorway with a electrical fault and I lost wipers and steering. My car is now beeing replaced.

Stefan Graichen.

Sdg@whsmithnet.co.uk.

Oh no!! That's terrible. I've just recently made an order of the vehicle and is due in May/June time. Why don't they ever make sites like this incorporated with the big car reviews. I wish I found this out a month before the order. There's is nothing, but lies lies lies in the car brochure then... Well I will certainly post updates on this site when I do get the car. I feel like a right mug!! My previous car was Japanese (Honda) and for the past 7 years since having the car new... NOT ONE COMPLAINT! At least the Japanese test their cars before unleashing it to the public! Unlike the western world.

I own an Audi A3 2.0 tdi (53) which I bought in Swansea last December. I accept that the first review is fair and Audi should have done a lot more to resolve the issues quicker. The second review, where the gentleman says "He agrees" is pointless! How can he complain if his car was immediately replaced, it seems that he received excellent after sales service. Now, as for the third review, what the heck is this guy on about? He reads one review and thinks that the end of the world is due. I think it goes without saying that one of the most successfull car manufacturers and multi million pound companies in the world run millions of checks and tests on their cars. There is not a car company in the world that does not! Personally I think your either an idiot or just filled in this review for fun, whichever you don't deserve an Audi A3!

My new Audi A3 2.0 TD sport is almost 12 months old now and I have clocked up 33,000 miles. I am on my second 1 litre bottle of oil and am happy with this, even at around £10.00 a bottle, as I have only needed one service at 19,586 miles. Mind you at over £220 I am glad they don't come around too often.

Sat Nav - voice and graphic type = how did I ever manage without this? A couple of jam-up situations and once took me to a hotel which was situated on a motorway service area (I was not on the motorway and couldn't drive through the hedge) Overall 80% happy

Tyres - Puncture after one week cost me £135 and front two changed after 20,000 miles (my driving style I think) Back tyres at 33,000 miles very good. Overall 80% happy.

Interior (upgrade stereo + lighting pack + storage pack)

- Brilliant, sturdy, a joy to look at, practical hatch design, controls simple & clear. Overall 100%

Xenon Headlights - Every single person who has been in the car at night has been amazed by the lights. Overall 100%

Problems

Wiper motor failed in heavy rain on outside lane of motorway and took almost 2 hours for breakdown truck to come and get me. At dealers a customer care adviser said to a mechanic who inquired about the problem 'another wiper motor failure'

Just had my final letter back from VOSA telling me that no one else has had this problem.

Problems with my phone kit (ordered Audi voice activation system which was not actually available at that time) meant the supplying dealer fitted a standard kit.

When the Audi kit was available he retro-fitted it to my car and ever since I have had problems. Audi UK confirmed to me that phone kits fitted by dealers, even when part of the initial order, are not actually covered by the Audi warranty - BEWARE!

Car Overall 90% happy

Dealer service Overall 70% happy

(my previous car was a Renault - Dealer Overall 10% happy)

My A3 2.0 FSI Sport has so far suffered a windscreen wiper failure, had the glove box and dashboard replaced (to try and stop a very annoying rattle) had an oil filler mod and nox sensor replacement (engine light came on) and currently has the coolant light on. I must have added 16 litres of oil in the 12 months I have had it (53 reg, 26000 miles)

I have to agree with the previous post. Having read a range of posts about Audi and a selection of other manufacturers, it appears that some of these reviews must be taken with a pinch of salt. Others are obviously completed by people who either are ignorant of all matters mechanical or just plain mad. It makes you question its value.

I bought my A3 2.0TDI Sport in October 2003. On delivery, the steering wheel was not aligned. although it was ticked off as OK on the new car delivery checklist. With the car running straight, it was offset by one spline on the column.

The documentation was incorrect. Reg. no. wrong on service book, and breakdown card. In Jan. 2004, the driver's door lock failed, and I suffered the failure of the wipers.

The local dealer carried out repairs, but the wipers failed again, a few weeks later. Dealer told me this was due to a defective bolt on the wipers, and that this was a nationwide problem. (Wipers detached from motor) I contacted Audi Customer Services, who told me they had no knowledge of defective bolts on A3 wipers. Second repair to wipers not recorded on Audi Car Service History. Feb. 2005, driver's seat belt failed. Repaired by different dealer. A good car, with too many faults, let down by a Scottish dealer who gave me false information relating to the wipers. I also found their attitude arrogant and unhelpful.

Vancouver, Canada.

Purchased a new (to North America) Audi A3 in July... have had problems with the exterior sensors, instrument cluster, clock, outside temperature gage, and A/C. These problems were there upon delivery, but I didn't realize it until a week into my experience. More recently, the engine wasn't starting easily and the service engine light came on. Audi picked up the car, couldn't find the problem, and has asked that I pick it up... PROBLEM NOT IDENTIFIED AND NOT FIXED. The car is said to be running properly, but the fault is a 'mystery'. I've asked for a replacement or refund, however, the arrogance I've encountered and poor service is extraordinary. At 32 and a first time Audi buyer you'd think they'd be more helpful! North America Audi A3 customers you are forewarned!!!

Vancouver, were you referring to a 2003 or the new 2006 model?

I bought AudiA3 1.6 Sportback in September 2005. Within a week the car developed a loud crunching, grinding noise from the front end of the car whenever the steering wheel was turned left or right. The noise is the worst in low gears and low speeds. Took the car back twice - the dealer accepts there is a fault (probably steering rack) but can't fix it. Has anybody else had the same problem? Dealer claims Audi has a production problem and no fix is available yet. They don't want to replace the car or give me a refund, but they can't even say when they could rectify the problem. The aftersales service is appalling - I will never buy another Audi again - what a waste of money.

Yes took delivery of my A3 Sportback 2.0FSI T Quattro in September 2005 in the UK. Crunching noise when turn the steering wheel to the extreme left. They have ordered a replacement steering rack, but the works have been delayed as the parts are having to be "factory ordered". Will not be in till end of the year. No one has told me if the car is safe to drive and I am concerned.

PS. Voice recognition on GPS phone pack is totally rubbish. Don't buy the option - you will be shouting at the phone all day and the lady on the Audi system will just keep saying "Pardon". Waste of time and money.

Crunching noise - which dealership did you buy your car from?

I got mine from SG Smith in Beckenham, Kent and they keep telling me that there is no fix available at all at present - Audi technical in Germany don't know what causes the noise and they can't rectify it. Your dealer didn't tell you the truth - they can't replace steering racks because they are all faulty, not because there is a backlog of orders.

Call Audi Customer Services and complain as it looks like a whole bunch of cars (new 2006 chassis) produced for the UK market has the same fault and obviously they want to keep quiet about it. Take everything the dealer or customer services say with a pinch of salt. They are playing for time, knowing full well that they had manufactured and sold cars with inherent faults.

I now want to reject the car - need to find a suitable lawyer as I'm sick of writing and speaking to them myself.

Crunching noise in A3 Sportback steering wheel...

Sorry - is the person who bought the 1.6 Sportback the same as the person who bought the sportback from Beckenham. Or do we now have 3 people with the same problem?

Happy to discuss off-line if you like.

Yes, the same person, but I know other people have the same problem (3 in Beckenham alone). I wanted to find out how widespread the problem is and whether anybody has had it resolved and what explanation/excuses other people have been given as to the nature of the fault and how long it will take to fix it. Apart from promises to repair my car, nothing has been done so far and I've had it for 2 months now.

Audi A3 2003

Problems I have had are extensive.

Wind screen wipers- off road 3 months, new coolant system, excessive oil comsumption, faulty starter- replaced and more.. anyone else with similar issues??