2004 Audi A6: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 35 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is fuel system, gasoline (14% 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 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“- ABS Module has intermittent failures, available for inspection - Anti-lock brakes will not work - Yes, the problem reoccurs and the module loses power and then errors out - Others - VCDS - ABS lights come on and BRAKE light stays illuminated”Owner report · Forward Collision Avoidance · Oct 2023
“When engine is cold, usually below 0 degrees fuel sprays from injectors. This could ignite on exhaust manifolds causing car fire.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2016
“Tl* the contact owned a 2004 audi a6. While driving at 20 mph, smoke appeared from the engine compartment and the vehicle caught fire. A police report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 06v198000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“With the elec stability control being intermittent this is being caused by the ABS module going bad/intermittent the brake pedal pressure changes. I have experienced this with my 2002 ram 1500 (4x4) as well. This could be a problem in all cars and trucks. The cost the fix for an audi is around $2500.00 and my ram was $1300.00. *tr”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Jan 2015
“Tl*the contact owns a 2004 audi a6. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, a strong odor of gasoline emitted inside and around the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the check engine light illuminated. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank collapse and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 146,569.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2014
“The first throttle valve malfunction happened on july 2013. Cost to repair 1557.95 part cost 878.00 mileage 66784 the second malfunction happened on oct. 14, 2014 to repair 1200.00 part cost 913.00, mileage 69202 what happens here is the engine shuts down. There could have been e major accident if she was rear ended. I called audi to tell them the part was defective, but they would not listen. That is why I think there should be a recall, to send them a message. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2014
“Significant gas leak caused by broken gas "in tank sending units" housing and seal. Gas will leak and fill the inside of the car with fums as well as under the car. Replacement required buying a revised design sending units that include all three sending units. The price is high ~$500 and the consequences very dangerous. My car is: 2004 audi a6 [xxx] 2004 a6q 2.7t information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Dec 2013
“Passenger side mechanical vertical adjuster does not function is lamp point to about 10 feet to the front of the vehicle. Diver side adjuster appear to function ok. Online blogs confer multiple problems with audi headlight adjusters as common, recurrent, and costly to fix. Driving with poorly aimed lights is obviously safety issue. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 2004 audi a6. The contact stated that when refueling the vehicle over the three quarter capacity level, a substantial amount of fuel would leak underneath the vehicle near the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing and stated that the fuel tank rollover valve was leaking. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact expressed significant concern of the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 2011
“2004 audi a6 sedan, 3.0 engine developed a sudden loss of power just before vehicle stalled while driving on highway at 65 mph. Vehicle was towed to repair shop where it was determined that the fuel pump had failed. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 2011
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 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.
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 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2004 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 2004 Audi A6 reliable?
NHTSA has 35 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Audi A6. The most complained-about area is fuel system, gasoline (14% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Audi A6 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 73,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Audi A6 have open recalls?
4 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.