Audi A3 Recall R/2003/128: Shatter Cracks May Occur On A Vacuum Pipe To Brake Servo, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 29 Sep 2003
- Launched
- 21,335
- vehicles in the UK
- 47J4
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Audi recalled A3 vehicles built between 1 August 1996 and 30 June 1999. Shatter cracks may occur on the vacuum pipe to the brake servo near the connections. The dealer will check the fitted vacuum pipes and replaced if necessary. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
Shatter cracks may occur on the vacuum pipe to the brake servo near the connections. If a vacuum pipe leaks a lot more force will be necessary to operate the brake pedal.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: SHATTER CRACKS MAY OCCUR ON A VACUUM PIPE TO BRAKE SERVO Defect: Shatter cracks may occur on the vacuum pipe to the brake servo near the connections. If a vacuum pipe leaks a lot more force will be necessary to operate the brake pedal. Remedy: The fitted vacuum pipes will be checked and replaced if necessary.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: shatter cracks may occur on a vacuum pipe to brake servo.
The Fix
The dealer will check the fitted vacuum pipes and replaced if necessary.
Are You Affected?
A3 built between 1 August 1996 and 30 June 1999 may be included. Audi estimates 21,335 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Audi, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Audi.
- Book with any franchised Audi dealer, quoting the campaign code 47J4 or the DVSA reference R/2003/128. See how to get a Audi recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| A3, A4, A4 Cabrio, A5 and 3 moreStop-drive TAKATA PSAN | Stop driving | R/2025/387 | |
| A3, A4Replacing TAKATA driver airbag | Urgent | R/2024/312 | |
| A3, Q2On affected vehicles an electrical connector for the power supply for the fuse carrier in the interior of the vehicle may have not been installed correctly | Low | R/2023/254 | |
| A3Restraining capacity of the belt system for the front seats may be lower than intended in the event of an accident | Low | R/2022/303 | |
| A3, Q3The bolted connection on the input rod between the electromechanical brake servo and brake pedal can be come loose | Urgent | R/2021/323 |
This is one of 158 Audi recalls in DVSA’s data. The Audi recall launched before it was R/2003/088 on 11 Aug 2003, for possible fitment of incorrect brake disc. The one launched after it was R/2003/160 on 5 Nov 2003, for replace drivers airbag. You can also see every Audi recall, all recalls launched in 2003 and brake recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2003/128, launched 29 September 2003. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.