Open safety recalls, the components owners report failing most often, crash-test results and running costs for the 2001 Audi A6, assembled from NHTSA and EPA records.
Everything on this page applies to the model as a whole. Run its VIN to decode that exact car, its engine, trim, assembly plant and factory equipment, alongside these records.
Open a VIN recordRecalls and complaints are filed against a specific model year, so figures differ from one year to the next even within a single generation. See every Audi A6 year.
Over 5 years this costs $10,000 more in fuel than an average new vehicle.
NHTSA has no NCAP crash-test rating for this model year, which is common for older, low-volume and heavy-duty vehicles.
NHTSA lists 7 recalls for this make, model and year. Recalls apply to the model, so some may already be fixed on this specific car. A dealer can confirm from the VIN.
Issue: 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.
Risk: A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.
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.
Campaign 11V267000
Issue: 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.
Risk: A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.
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.
Campaign 08V157000
Issue: 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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING OR FIRE.
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.
Campaign 06V198000
Issue: 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.
Campaign 03V143000
Issue: 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.
Risk: IF THAT HAPPENS, THE WIPER BLADES, BECAUSE THEY OVERLAP WIPING AREAS, COULD BECOME ENTANGLED WITH EACH OTHER AND CEASE FUNCTIONING. THIS COULD IMPAIR THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY.
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.
Campaign 01V202000
Issue: 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.
Risk: RUNNING OUT OF FUEL WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATES THAT THERE IS SUFFICIENT FUEL IN THE TANK LEAD TO SAFETY PROBLEMS.
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.
Campaign 01V157000
Issue: 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.
Risk: A FIRE COULD ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT DASHBOARD AREA.
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.
Campaign 04V133000
The parts named most often across 113 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this make, model and year.
5 crashes · 7 injured
1 crash
1 fire
2 fires
Complaints are self-reported and skew toward problems people find alarming, so read this as where to look rather than as a defect rate.
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.
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.
AIR BAG LIGHT ON
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 80 AROUND A CURVE WHEN I HEAR A LOUD NOISE O LOOKED AROUND AT THE OTHER CARS IN THE OTHER LANES TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND THEY WERE LOOKING AT ME WONDERING THE SAME THING OR THEY SAW THE BLOWOUT AND OR HEARD THE NOISE? I REALIZED IT WAS MY TIRE LOSING STEERING CONTROL. I QUICKLY MOVED OVER TO SHOULDER FOUND I WAS RIDING ON RIM. THE TIRE HAD BLOWN OFF RIM TO THE BACK OF WHEEL WELL PUSHING OFF THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE CABLE FOR THAT WHEEL AND DAMAGING MY WHEEL WELL. A FEW MINUTES AFTER EXAMINING TIRE A STATE OF NEVADA EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE VAN PULLED UP AND SAID AFTER LOOKING AT TIRE, YOUR LUCKY YOU DIDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WITH THAT TIRE FAILURE. HE PUT ON SPARE AND I DROVE AWAY. I ALSO HAD OTHER TIRE EXPERTS LOOK AT TIRE AND NOT ONE OF THEM SAID IT WAS A ROAD HAZARD EVEN THOUGH THE MANUFACTURER SAID IT WAS AFTER THEIR INSPECTION. ONE OF THE TIRE EXPERTS WHO SELLS THEIR TIRES SAID DON'T EVEN TRY TO GET THEM TO REPLACE THAT TIRE THEY NEVER DO. GOODYEAR IS THE PARENT COMPANY.
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.
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.
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.
I HAVE A 2001 AUDI A6 QUATTRO 2.8L WITH P1411 AND P1423 DTC CODES. I AM HEARING IT IS A VACUUM HOSE OR COMBI VALUE PROBLEMS FROM WHAT I AM READING, COMMON TO THIS MODEL, BUT I HAVE HAD SEVERAL MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND NOT WANT TO TACKLE IT. IN A RECENT FORUM I WAS TOLD MANY OF THE ITEMS I HAVE LISTED WERE RECALL ITEMS-INCLUDING VACUUM HOSES. YES, MANY WERE, THERE WAS EVEN A LAW SUIT WITH AUDI, THAT AUDI DENIED MY CLAIM AND PAID SEVERAL ON. I APPEALED AND THEY DID NOT RESPOND AND DID NOT DEFINE WHY THEY REFUSED TO COVER IT. AUDI STILL HAS YET TO COVER THE VEHICLE IN THE PROFESSIONAL MANNER I EXPECTED. MY LIFE BURDENS ARE ENOUGH, I DO NOT NEED A CAR MANUFACTURER OR DEALER TO YANK ME AROUND, THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 205,000 MILES, BECAUSE I PAID OUTRAGEOUS CAR REPAIRS ON IT. I FEEL AUDI IS A GOOD CAR, BUT FIXING THINGS ON IT THAT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER RECALLS AND SERVICE WARRANTIES IS NOT HAPPENING. DO I REALLY HAVE TO SUE TO GET RESULTS, THIS IS RIDICULOUS! I HAVE EXPERIENCED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, FAILED EMISSIONS TESTING, HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS, ISSUES WITH WATER IN LENSES AND MIRRORS, TURN SIGNAL ISSUES, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY FUEL LINE, REPLACED TIE RODS, AND ABS BRAKE LIGHT SIGNALS AFTER BRAKE REPAIR. I AM HOPING NHTSA CAN SHED SOME LIGHT AND ASSIST ME WITH RECTIFYING MY CAR SITUATION POSSIBLY. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THESE ISSUES FOR MANY YEARS NOW AND I AM HOPEFUL TO RECEIVE SOME RELIEF. *TR
GAS LEAKING ON THE FLOOR OF GARAGE FROM ROLL-OVER NIPPLE. THE DEALER REFUSED TO APPLY RECALL (NOT COVERED VIN) FOR THIS ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WITH AUDI PARTS AS LISTED IN DOT RECALL DOCUMENTS. THE REPAIR FAILED IN APRIL 2015. THE 3M MATERIAL USED IN THE REPAIR HAD DETERIORATED. *TR
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
THERE IS NOT ACCIDENT INVOLVED YET. THERE IS A GAS SMELL ON LEFT REAR SIDE, OVER THE WHEEL ARCH ON MY AUDI A6 2001. I SEARCHED NHTSA FOR AUDI RECALL CAMPAIGN. THERE IS A RECALL CAMPAIGN# 11V267000 HOWEVER, WHEN I CONTACT AUDI-USA AT THE NUMBER PROVIDED BY THIS CAMPAIGN, THAT IS 1-800-822-2834, AFTER ASKING MY THE VEHICLE MILEAGE, AUDI-USA JUST SAID MY CAR IS NOT COVERED BY THE THIS RECALL. APPARENTLY, THE DEFECT EXACTLY MATCHES WHAT THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN# 11V267000 DESCRIBES. WHY AUDI-USA REFUSES TO COVER MY CAR? I AM WONDERING WHETHER IT'S BECAUSE MY CAR IS AT HIGH MILEAGE. THEY MAY TRY TO SAVE COST, BUT THIS IS AN APPARENT SAFETY HAZARD CAUSED BY MANUFACTURING DEFECT. AND THE DEFECT SHOULD BE FIXED REGARDLESS OF VEHICLE MILEAGE. REGULATORS NEED TO OVERSIGHT THINGS LIKE THIS. THE CAR MANUFACTURERS CANNOT JUST WAIT TO FIX DEFECTS UNTIL REAL ACCIDENT HAPPENS. *TR
OUR 2001 AUDI AND MANY OTHER CARS LIKE IT HAVE PLASTIC HEADLIGHTS THAT PERFORM WELL FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THEN IN ANY SUNNY LOCATION LIKE THE US SOUTHWEST THEY BEGIN TO FOG UP AND BECOME PROGRESSIVELY MORE OPAQUE. THIS RESULTS IS MORE LIGHT SCATTER USING THE HEADLAMPS AT NIGHT: THE HEADLAMPS NO LONGER FOCUS A NARROW BEAM OF LIGHT ON THE ROADWAY AHEAD. DUE TO FOGGED, OPAQUE HEAD LAMP LIGHT SCATTER VISIBILITY IS REDUCED PUTTING ESPECIALLY PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLES AT RISK WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. ALSO, ONCOMING TRAFFIC EXPERIENCES GREATER NIGHTTIME GLARE FROM FOGGED HEADLAMPS INCREASING ACCIDENT RISK. OFTEN, REPLACEMENT COSTS FOR NEW PLASTIC HEADLAMPS ARE PROHIBITIVE - AT TIMES MORE THAN THE COST OF A USED CAR. MANY US DRIVERS THUS DRIVE WITH FOGGED UP, OPAQUE HEADLAMPS. PREVIOUSLY GLASS HEADLAMPS DELIVERED MANY DECADES OF RELIABLE SERVICE WITHOUT EVER FOGGING UP AS DO THE WINDOWS OF ANY OLDER CAR. I BELIEVE THE NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE AND CONSIDER ISSUING A SAFETY RECALL. *TR
Showing 12 of 113 complaints.