Audi · A6 · 2001
7
Recalls
113
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2001 Audi A6 has 7 recalls and 113 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: air bags (13 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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 Status
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.
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 Status
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.
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 Status
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.
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 Status
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.
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 Status
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.
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 Status
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.
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 Status
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
AIR BAG LIGHT ON
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
THE ABS MODULE IN AUDI'S 1998-2001 IS A COMMON PROBLEM. ONE DAY IT WAS FINE AND THE NEXT THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH AND WENT AWAY AFTER SOME DRIVING. *TT AT FIRST THE ABS LIGHT WOULD COME AND GO. BUT AS A WEEK PASSED FROM THE 1ST DAY OF THE INDECENT IT STARTED TO APPEAR MORE OFTEN AND LONGER. AFTER 2 WEEKS THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT STAYED ON.
DRIVING BELOW RECOMMENDED SPEED LIMIT AROUND CORNER (POSTED 25MPH, GOING BETWEEN 10MPH AND 15MPH). LIGHT RAIN, CAR SLID AND BRAKES LOCKED UP CAUSING ME TO HIT A CURB AND DAMAGE MY VEHICLE. *TR
WHEN FILLING CAR WITH GAS THE GAS LEAKS OUT BY FILLER TUBE AT LEAST A GALLON OR MORE. HAVE TRIED TWO DIFFERENT GARAGES TO FIX PROBLEM BUT STILL LEAKS. I DON'T WANT TO HAVE AN EXPLOSION CAUSED FROM THIS PROBLEM, OR GAS LEAKED OUT MY DRIVEWAY OR ROADS. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. I BOUGHT THIS CAR ON THE REPUTATION OF AUDI AND VW. *TR
THE INSULATED HEAR SHIELD AROUND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER STARTED A SLOW BURN AND EXCESSIVE SMOKE, CAUSING A FIRE ALARM, WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED AT MY WORK PLACE. THE FIRE COMPANY RESPONDED AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED A SECOND TIME. UPDATED 01/30/12 *BF
2001 AUDI A6 QUATTRO 2.7T ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ARE ON. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, AND HE SAID THE BOSCH CONTROL MODULE NEEDED REPLACING. I HAVE BEEN READING UP ONLINE AND FOUND MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2001 Audi A6 has 7 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 113 owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Audi A6.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2001 Audi A6.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2001 Audi A6 are air bags (13 reports), power train (10 reports), tires (10 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 7 recalls on record for the 2001 Audi A6. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.