2003 Audi Tt recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Engine
What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. 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…
What could happen: A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2003 TT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 14E007000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-303-744-1911.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (7), Transmission / drivetrain (6), Engine (5), Lights (2), Visibility (wipers / glass) (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
01/25/2020 · Transmission / drivetrain
TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN CAR IS WARM AND TRANSMISSION FLUID IS WARM/HOT.
09/27/2015 · Electrical system
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…
06/26/2012 · Transmission / drivetrain
THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPLACEMENT FOR THE DIGITAL CLUSTER, THERMOSTAT AND COOLING PUMP. THEN I REPLACED THE CLUSTER FOR THE FIRST TIME 9/2011. SAME DAY AFTER PUTTING IN THE NEW CLUSTER THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND REPLACED A FEW DAYS LATER. THE CLUSTER WAS REPLACED AGAIN WHEN THE SPEEDOM…
05/29/2012 · Transmission / drivetrain
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.
11/17/2010 · Transmission / drivetrain
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…
07/26/2010 · Electrical system
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 DESCR…
07/23/2010 · Fuel system
THE DIGITAL INSTRUMENT PANEL IS FAILING CURRENTLY IT DOES NOT REGISTER THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC CAUSING A DANGEROUS AND HAZARDOUS SITUATION. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR A SIMILAR FAILURE IN THE VEHICLES INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE…
06/24/2010 · Engine
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…