Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 48 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Audi RS6, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 30 | 63% |
| Fuel system | 5 | 10% |
| Power train | 4 | 8% |
| Tires | 2 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 2% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 2% |
| Suspension | 1 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 2% |
| Steering | 1 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2003 Audi RS6. The contact stated that after adding fuel to the vehicle, he noticed that fuel had leaked, and there was a puddle of fuel on the ground on the rear driver's side of the vehicle. There wa
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
THIS WAS NOT A BLIZZAK LM-25. IT WAS A BLIZZAK LM-60. TWICE WITHIN A YEAR, I'VE HAD MY REAR TIRE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE BEADS, SPLITTING ALL THE WAY AROUND ON THE INNER AND OUTER SIDEWALLS. THE FIRST TIME WAS
NHTSA complaint: Tires
FUEL TANK LEAK FROM TIP OVER VALVE. THERE IS A RECALL ON IT. AUDI RECALL 20L8/JY WAS PERFORMED ON 5/16/2012. BUT THE VALVE STARTED LEAKING AGAIN RECENTLY. I CALLED AUDI OF AMERICA (AOA) THEY HAD ME TAKE THE CAR TO AUST
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI RS6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING AND WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI RS6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE BOUNCED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THIS RESULTED IN NEEDING TO REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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
NHTSA complaint: Power train
2003 AUDI RS6 (A6 4.2 V8 BITURBO) FUEL TANK DEFECT: THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARD TO MY 2003 AUDI RS6 SEDAN. AFTER NOTICING A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL AND FUEL VAPOR IN MY GARAGE THE MORNING AFTER FILLING UP SAID CAR, I IM
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2003 Audi RS6. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 AUDI A6, MODEL YEAR 2002-2003 S6 AND MODEL YEAR 2003 RS6 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.2L ENGINES AND MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 19, 2001, THROUGH JUNE 8, 2004. THE AGING OF THE PLASTIC MATERIAL IN THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE COMBINED WITH BENDING STRESS
Risk: A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE NIPPLE ON THE ROLLOVER VALVE TO PREVENT LEAKAGE OR REPAIR THE CRACKING AT THE NIPPLE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-82
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, IF A DRIVER'S KNEES PUSH AGAINST THE KNEE BOLSTER (CRASH ELEMENT) LOCATED UNDER THE DASHBOARD, IT CAN CONTACT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WIRING HARNESS, AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD OCCUR.
Risk: A FIRE COULD ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT DASHBOARD AREA.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVERING ON THE KNEE BOLSTER (CRASH ELEMENT). IN ADDITION, THE WIRING HARNESS AS WELL AS THE FELT PROTECTOR ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD CARRIER WILL BE CHECKED
| Reliability raw | 87 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 47 | below average |
| Depreciation | 63 | average |
| Performance | 80 | excellent |
| Efficiency | 29 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 48 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 30 of them (63%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 87/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2003 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.