2001 Audi A6: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 113 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (13% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 113 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My Audi A6 is experiencing symptoms of a documented and open recall at Audi, and Audi USA and the dealer are refusing to even evaluate the vehicle for recall status. The recall is a rollover valve nipple, with age and stress cracking can develop on the plastic fuel tank, causing a leak to occur. My car is experiencing just such a symptom, and has been confirmed by two independent mechanics.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2023
“I was driving about 67 on the open highway and was struck from behind by another vehicle. I lost control of my car and careened into a guard rail. I went unconscious and when I woke I was badly injured. All the air bags in car had deployed except for the driver's airbag. As a consequence, I sustained severe damages to my ribs and neck. I am lucky to be alive.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2021
“A fuel leak in the presence in the vehicle, strong smell cabin after filling gas tank to full. It is a saftey warning because any ignition or lighting can ignite a flame.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 audi a6. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the accelerator pedal abnormally traveled to the floorboard. The contact applied the brakes but the vehicle continued to accelerate. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic for inspection where they stated that the pedal module was stuck and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2014
“Transmission went out at 104,000 miles. This seems to be a common problem on audi's. The car was a $55000 car! I ended up selling it for parts, as the cost of a new transmission was more than the market value. I will never buy audi again. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2013
“I parked my car friday night when I came from work. I woke up saturday morning I had a flood in my passenger side front and back I checked all windows was shut so I went to mech and he says with this model from 2001 to 2004 he seen this problem a lot it's a clogged drain so he said its a default on audi. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 audi a6. The contact stated that when the vehicle was turned on, there was a clicking noise emerging from the center of the dashboard. All the warning indicators illuminated and smoke started to emerge from the vents. The vehicle was turned off and evacuated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The diagnosis was that an electrical fire occurred that originated at the wiring harness. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact also stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 04v133000 (electrical system). The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2013
“Driving westbound on i20 from columbia, sc to st robert/fort leonard wood, mo when engine suddenly lost power. Limped about 3/4 mi to next exit and called for a tow truck. Transported vehicle back to nearest audi dealer (45 mi east) in columbia, sc. Audi of columbia did diagnostic and after $2527.00 determined that the exhaust camshaft on bank 1 broke in the center. The service department manager stated he has never seen or heard of that happening in all his years with audi. I believe that this is a material defect and I should not be charged for the replacement of the engine (service managers recommendation). *tr”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 audi a6. While driving 55 mph, the driver side air bag deployed without warning. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained injuries to the left side of the body, including minor hearing loss in the left ear. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the control module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2012
“Was driving in my 2001 audi a6 to work, at about 45 mph, and when apply my brake, it suddenly went soft and the ABS light came on, also the brake light on dash starts flashing. I performed a brake service but and it did not correct the problem, I then took the vehicle for a diagnosis and found out it had a faulty ABS circuit and would cost around $2000 to repair. I later did a research and learned that these vehicles has a common ABS problem, which the audi dealers would not answer to. I also learned this device were recall on the vw. Are there anyone to protects us from this costly, faulty unit failure? *js”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
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 FROM THE ALUMINUM VENTILATION LINE TO THE ROLLOVER VALVE NIPPLE MAY LEAD TO CRACKING OF THE NIPPLE. IF THIS HAPPENS, A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT.
Remedy: 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 1-800-822-2834.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES (ALLROAD). WHEN ACTIVATING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER UNDER HEAVY LOAD CONDITIONS SUCH AS FREEZING, SNOW OR HEAVY RAIN, ONE WIPER COULD BE DELAYED BEHIND THE OTHER WIPER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE DRIVER SIDE WIPER ARM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 22, 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.
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 68,240 MY 2001-2004 AUDI A6 QUATTRO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.7L, 2.8L, OR 3.0L ENGINES AND MY 2001-2005 ALLROAD QUATTRO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.7L OR 4.2L ENGINES. THE AGING OF THE PLASTIC MATERIAL IN THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE COMBINED WITH BENDING STRESS FROM THE ALUMINUM VENTILATION LINE TO THE ROLLOVER VALVE NIPPLE MAY LEAD TO CRACKING OF THE NIPPLE. IF THIS HAPPENS, A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE NIPPLE ON THE ROLLOVER VALVE TO PREVENT LEAKAGE OR REPAIR THE CRACKING AT THE NIPPLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 27, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.7L ENGINES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE CALCULATED "VEHICLE NORMAL LOAD" EXCEEDS THE ALLOWABLE WEIGHT OF THE AXLE LOAD WITH TIRE DIMENSION 225/45R 17 91Y BY 19KG.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FIVE TIRES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2003. 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 1-800-822-2834.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2001 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 2001 Audi A6 reliable?
NHTSA has 113 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Audi A6. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (13% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Audi A6 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,000 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Audi A6 have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, other: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.