Open safety recalls, the components owners report failing most often, crash-test results and running costs for the 2003 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 $7,000 more in fuel than an average new vehicle.
1 open NHTSA investigation into this model. Investigations come before recalls, so these are potential defects not yet covered by one.
Rated configuration: 2003 Audi A6 4-DR. w/SAB
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: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM SEPTEMBER 2002 - MARCH 2003, EQUIPPED WITH 1.8L TURBO, 2.8L V6, OR 3.0L ENGINES, A CHANGE IN THE ELECTRICAL MOTOR COMPONENTS IN THE FUEL PUMP CAN LEAD TO AN INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP AND, ULTIMATELY, STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO STALL.
Risk: IF FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE IS INTERRUPTED, THE VEHICLE COULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND THUS PRESENT A POTENTIAL RISK OF CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-222-8987 OR AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
Campaign 06V017000
Issue: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.8L TURBO, 2.8L V6, OR 3.0L ENGINES, A CHANGE IN THE ELECTRICAL MOTOR COMPONENTS IN THE FUEL PUMP CAN LEAD TO AN INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP AND, ULTIMATELY, STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO STALL.
Risk: IF FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE IS INTERRUPTED, THE VEHICLE COULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND THUS PRESENT A POTENTIAL RISK OF CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 28, 20007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-222-8987 OR AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834. THIS RECALL IS A SUPPLEMENT TO A PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN (PLEASE SEE 06V017).
Campaign 07V375000
Issue: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3-SPOKE SPORT STEERING WHEELS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE IGNITER FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ASSEMBLED.
Risk: AN IMPROPERLY POSITIONED IGNITER WILL NOT ACTIVATE THE AIR BAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAGS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 18, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
Campaign 02V275000
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 71 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this make, model and year.
1 fire
3 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.
THE GAS TANK OR COMPONENTS OF THE TANK ARE LEAKING GAS WHEN MORE THAN A SMALL AMOUNT OF GAS IS PUT INTO THE TANK. GAS LEAKS ALL OVER THE GROUND FROM THE TANK AND THE CABIN FILLS WITH GAS FUMES. MY 18 SON HAS BEEN DRIVING THIS CAR AND I WILL NOT ALLOW HIM OR ANYONE ELSE TO DRIVE THE CAR NOW. AFTER READING ONLINE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM, I AM SHOCKED THAT THIS IS NOT A RECALL WHEN IT COULD BE POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING AND THAT AUDI WANTS TO CHARGE 3K TO LOWER THE TANK AND REPAIR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI A6. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS EMISSIONS TESTING. AUDI DETERMINED THAT IT WAS DUE TO A FUEL LEAK FROM A CRACK IN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR ROLLOVER VALVE. VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECALLED IN PAST FOR SIMILAR ISSUE (PERFORMED). TANK HAS 4 ROLLOVER VALVES, ONLY ONE (FRONT DRIVER) INCLUDED IN PRIOR RECALL. INITIAL QUOTED $3,300 TO REPLACE TANK. AUDI OFFERED TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT TANK WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ~$600 (REPAIR ORDER ATTACHED). REPAIR COMPLETED ON 2/23/2017, CAR PASSES STATE INSPECTION. AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE "STAINING" IN THE ATTACHED PHOTO, THE LEAK WAS SIGNIFICANT DEALER THEN CALLS TO SAY THAT CAR NEEDS TO BE RETURNED TO PERFORM PRIOR RECALL ON THE NEWLY INSTALLED TANK. RECALL TO BE PERFORMED ON ONLY THE ONE ROLLOVER VALVE (DRIVER FRONT) THAT CAN BE ACCESSED WITH OUT REMOVING FUEL TANK. NOT THE VALVE THAT WAS LEAKING AND NECESSITATED THE REPLACEMENT. I REQUESTED THAT AUDI PERFORM RECALL ON ALL 4 ROLLOVER VALVES AS THEY INSTALLED A KNOWINGLY DEFECTIVE PART AND THE RISK OF ANOTHER CRACK/LEAK EXISTS. DEALER SAYS AUDI REFUSES. I HAVE MADE SEVERAL CALLS TO BOTH DEALER AND AUDI WITH NO RESPONSE FROM AUDI BEYOND A CONVERSATION WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BACK ON 5/08/2017. EMAILED DEALER ON 5/11/2017 (ATTACHED PDF) WITH MY REQUEST (AGAIN), AND HAVE RECEIVED NO CONTACT FROM AUDI. RETURNING CAR TO DEALER FOR RECALL ON THE ONE ROLLOVER VALVE ON 7/12/17. AUDI IS PUTTING THIS CAR BACK ON THE ROAD WITH THE STRONG POTENTIAL OF A FUEL LEAK.
I WAS DRIVING IN LIGHT RAIN AND SAW A SMALL PUDDLE OF WATER AHEAD SO I SLOWED DOWN AND WENT THROUGH IT AT 10MPH, ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND IS STUCK GOING RIGHT, GRINDING NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT DRIVERS WHEEL. I SOMEHOW MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICAL TO A FIRE STATION AND PARK IT THERE AFTER 30M AND ONLY GOING 20FT THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WHILE I'M PRESSING THE GAS PEDDLE THE HORRIBLE GRINDING NOISE COMES BACK AND THE CAR GOES NO WHERE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE.
SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI A6. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A PUDDLE OF FUEL IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROLLOVER VALVE HAD A CRACK, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER A RECALL, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE RECALL INFORMATION WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.
I HAVE 2003 AUDI A6 QUATTRO 4.2 L. I HAD IN SHOP FOR REAR BRAKES AND MECHANIC NOTED FUEL LEAKING/DRIPPING FROM FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF PLASTIC FUEL TANK. I DID INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND RECALL CAMPAIGN 11V267000 AND MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING SIMILAR LEAKS. I VERIFIED MANUFACTURE DATE 4/3/(2002 OR 2003?) FROM VEHICLE WHICH FALLS IN WINDOW COVERED BY RECALL OF UNITS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 19, 2001 THROUGH JUNE 8, 2004. I CONTACTED AUDI AMERICA AND EVENTUALLY SPOKE WITH XXXX AT [XXX]. SHE ASSURED ME THAT MY CAR WAS EITHER NOT SUBJECT TO THE RECALL OR HAD BEEN FIXED. I TOLD HER I WAS THE OWNER OF THE CAR AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL ( MAY 2011) AND MY CAR HAD NOT BEEN FIXED. SHE ROBOTICALLY REPEATED THAT MY CAR HAD EITHER BEEN FIXED OR NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I ASKED HER TO VERIFY THAT IT HAD BEEN FIXED AND SHE SAID THEY HAVE NO RECORDS TO SHOW THAT. SHE SAID I COULD CONTACT THE DEALER THAT ORIGINALLY SOLD THE CAR. I SAID WHY WOULD A DEALER IN WISCONSIN WHO SOLD THE CAR IN 2003 HAVE ANY RECORDS REGARDING A RECALL ISSUED IN 20011 WHEN I OWNED THE CAR? SHE WAS SILENT. I ASKED FOR A LIST OF ALL VINS IN THE RECALL. SHE SAID SHE COULD NOT GIVE ME THAT. SHE AGREED TO SEND ME A "RANGE" OF AFFECTED VIN'S. SHE SAID THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP ME OUT BUT I NEED TO HAVE AND EVALUATION DONE AT MY EXPENSE AT AN AUDI DEALER TO DETERMINE WHAT IS WRONG. I SAID I KNOW WHAT IS WRING, IT IS LEAKING GAS FROM THE ROLLOVER VALVE CONNECTION ON THE TANK AND REPORTED ALL OVER THE INTERNET IN AUDI FORUMS ETC. I HAVE MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH AUDI FOR 31 OCTOBER MIN 1 HR LABOR AT $110/HR TO EVALUATE MY LEAK. THIS RECALL NEEDS TO BE ENFORCED AND AUDI NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR EVASIVE RESPONSES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
FAILED CT EMISSIONS TEST. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. CONFIRMED CODE TO BE P0741. INFORMED BY AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. *TR
AT TIMES WHEN DRIVING THE CAR THE ACCELERATION BECOMES SLOW AND IT STALLS WITH A JERK LIKE IT'S GOING TO JUST STOP ALSO, WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN REVERSE GEAR IT WILL NOT MOVE. I AM STUCK. THE PRND FLASHING ON THE DASHBOARD. I BECOME AFRAID BECAUSE THIS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO RESET THE CODES BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE COMPLARTMENT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FIRE HAD CONSUMED AND BURNED THROUGH THE HOOD AROUND TO THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NO INJURIES HAD BEEN SUSTAINED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V267000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER), NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V375000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V157000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING AN INSURANCE ADJUSTOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,434. UPDATED 08/25/14*LJ UPDATED 09/5/2014 *JS
THE FIRE STARTED UNDER DASHBOARD AS I WAS DRIVING. I STOPPED THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND QUICKLY JUMPED OUT THE CAR WHEN SAW A FLAME. THIS WAS THE MOST FREIGHTING EXPERIENCE IN MY LIFE. *TR
Showing 12 of 71 complaints.