2000 Audi A6: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 148 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (21% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 148 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Each time I fill the gas tank there is a strong smell of leaking gas. Not clearly identified the source but feel this is a significant safety risk.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 audi a6. The contact noticed strong fumes entering the vents, which affected the contact's breathing. The contact was not able to use the heater or air conditioner. A week later, while driving, a fire erupted near the dashboard and smoke consumed the inside of the vehicle. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road and a fire inspector extinguished the flames. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 06v198000 (electrical system), but the contact did not receive a notification. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was towed and parked. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2016
“First the car ran hot no temp have came on had to replace motor .....the cooling fan broke made of plastic and cut my serpentine belt into ......then the car flooded and ruined the comfort control module had to replace this now the front axel is broke and the boots fell apart and the ball joints are no good......”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“When moving the steering column up or down smoke comes out of the steering column and get a burning smell on the passenger side. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2013
“Drivers side vents of the vehicle started to smoke, it then ignited causing a vehicle fire. The drivers side completely engulfed in flames. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2012
“The instrument cluster has gone out and there is no way to read the important messages that come across it. I.e. Low fuel, temp or coolant or engine, brake problems, washer fluid .... I feel something needs to be done on this part!! *js”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2012
“Our audi a6 was taken to audi rector on 12/20/11 due to an electrical burning smell coming through the air vents. Audi rector repaired the rack and pinion steering and a transmission leak. They said the smell was due to the transmission leak and would dissipate. On the trip home from audi rector on 12/23/11, the car caught fire starting inside the driver side air vent and burned. It was completely destroyed. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2011
“Fuel vapor detected in cabin. Gasoline detected on floor surface under driver side rear passenger location. Also observe fuel dripping from driver side fuel tank. Suspect defective rollover valve nipple. Addendum requested to include year 2000 a6 audi c5 car year is 04/2000 a6 quattro c5. See; recall campaign 08v157000 NHTSA action number: pe08008. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Oct 2011
“The car had the ABS and brake light display (brake light if flashing), causing the car to sometimes not stop properly. Checked out to be ABS module failure. *tt”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2011
“ABS module failure. Blinking ABS light and flashing dash brake light indicating failure. It apparently is not uncommon on 1998-2002 audi vehicles, a4 & a6 models alike. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Electric · Apr 2011
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SULFUR IN FUEL INTERACTS WITH CERTAIN ADDITIVES FOUND IN WIDELY AVAILABLE GASOLINE CAUSING SULFUR TO BECOME DEPOSITED ON THE CONTACT POINTS OF THREE FUEL SENDING UNITS MOUNTED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL GAUGE TO READ FULL WHILE THE FUEL TANK MAY NOT IN FACT BE FULL OR COULD BE EMPTY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE EXISTING FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNITS AND REPLACE THEM WITH FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNITS USING A NEW ALLOY COMPOSED OF GOLD, SILVER, AND A SMALL AMOUNT OF NICKEL, WHICH WILL NOT CHEMICALLY REACT WITH SULFUR. VW/AUDI WILL ALSO CALL BACK VEHICLES THAT WERE REPAIRED UNDER A PREVIOUS RECALL LAST JUNE IN ORDER TO INSTALL THE UPDATED FUEL SENDING UNITS NHTSA 00V137/AUDI LB). OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 1, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-866-892-2834.
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.
Remedy: 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, AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 26, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HALOGEN LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS, CERTAIN CONNECTOR PINS IN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CONNECTOR COME INTO CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT. NOTE: VEHICLES WITH XENON LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT AFFECTED BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT IN THESE VEHICLES CONTAINS A FUSE, WHICH PRECLUDES EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW IN THE CASE OF A SHORT CIRCUIT. AUDI S6 AND S6 AVANT VEHICLES ARE ALL EQUIPPED WITH XENON LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND, THEREFORE, ARE NOT LONGER AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS BY INSTALLING A JUMPER WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 16, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 TT Roadster, 2000 TT Coupe, 1999 Audi A8, 1998-2000 Audi A6, and 1999-2000 Audi A4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) that do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, possibly causing the air bag to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator when the parts become available, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed September 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69BT.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2000 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact A6 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 2000 Audi A6 reliable?
NHTSA has 148 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Audi A6. The most complained-about area is electrical system (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 Audi A6 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 77,040 miles or less.
Does the 2000 Audi A6 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly. 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.