Audi · A6 · 2002
4
Recalls
88
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2002 Audi A6 has 4 recalls and 88 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: engine and engine cooling (12 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.
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.
ON FEBRUARY 11, 2021, MR. TRAVIS WAS TRAVELING ON I-70 IN VANDALIA ILLINOIS WHEN HE WAS REAR ENDED AT HIGH SPEEDS BY MR. FREE. MR. TRAVIS' 2002 AUDI A6 SUSTAINED SERIOUS DAMAGE BUT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MR. TRAVIS SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH.
WHEN I FIRST GOT THE VEHICLE IT WOULD START WITH NO ISSUES AND NOW IT WONT START AN I CANT FIGURE OUT WHY AND NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE REASON I CANT THINK OF WHAT ELSE IT COULD BE IT ACTS LIKE ITS NOT GETTING ANY FUEL OR SOMETHING TO GET STARTED.
THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SHORTING OUT AND CRACKING AND BARE WIRES TOUCHING
I PARKED MY CAR TO DETAIL IT AND AFTER I WENT TO DRIVE TO THE STORE AND MY CAR WASN'T REACHING ABOVE 4000 RPMS AND WOULDN'T GO OVER 60 MPH ...ITS ACTING LIKE THERE IS A REV LIMITER AND THROW 2 NEW CODES...NEVER GOT ENGINE BAY WET JUS OUTER BODY OF VEHICLE ...DIAGNOSTIC CODES ARE P0322 AND P0421 I BELIEVE ONE IS FOR THE ENGINE IGNITION DISTRIBUTOR NO SIGNAL AND ALSO CATALYTIC SYSTEM BELOW THRESHOLD BANK 1 .....AFTER I PARKED CAR AGAIN I TRIED TO START AND NOTHING HAPPENED ....I'VE BOUT NEW C.O.P'S ....AND STILL NOTHING I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND ALSO NOTICE THAT THE FUEL FILLER JUST INSIDE THE PORT WAS ALL CRACKED AND WHEN I FILLED WITH FUEL ITS LEAKED ALOT OF MY GAS ...THE *TR
FILLED GAS TANK AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM TOP OF THE TANK TO THE GROUND NEAR THE INSIDE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE REAL WHEEL. FUEL STOPS LEAKING AFTER IT DROPS BELOW 3/4 FULL. TOOK THE CAR TO THE AUDI DEALERSHIP THINKING IT WAS FAILURE OF THE ROLLOVER/FILLER NECK VALVE RECALL AGAIN (NHTSA RECALL #08V157000). AUDI SAID THE FILLER NECK WAS DRY, BUT THERE IS A LEAK SOMEWHERE ON TOP OF FUEL TANK ON THE SAME SIDE AS THE FILLER NECK. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT SEE WHERE THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM WITHOUT DROPPING THE FUEL TANK FROM THE CAR. AUDI QUOTED THE REPAIR FOR COMPLETELY REPLACING THE FUEL TANK AT ~$3400. A FUEL TANK SHOULD NEVER LEAK, AND THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY CONCERN, NOT ONLY FOR THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS OF THE CAR, BUT ALL OTHERS ON THE ROAD. THIS IS ALSO A FAILURE OF AN EMISSIONS COMPONENT THAT AUDI NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SINCE THERE IS RAW FUEL LEAKING ALL OVER THE ROAD.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 AUDI A6. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THERE WAS AN ODOR OF SMOKE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED SMOKE COMING THROUGH THE VENTS ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING FACILITY. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 65 MPH. I WENT TO PASS ANOTHER CAR IN A PASSING ZONE SO I ACCELERATED FULL THROTTLE. THE GAS PEDAL STUCK AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I BRAKED AND MANEUVERED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED IT OFF. AFTER A WHILE IT RELEASED. I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND CONTINUED HOME, NOT PUSHING THE PEDAL DOWN ANY FARTHER THAN NECESSARY. I WILL TAKE IT IN TO BE FIXED. THERE WAS NOTHING OBSCURING THE PEDAL AND THE FLOOR MAT WAS CLICKED INTO PLACE. I FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF A RECALL, BUT MANY AUDI OWNERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR EXPERIENCES, SO I AM NOT SURE WHY THIS ISN'T A RECALL ISSUE. *TR
TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. FOURTH TIME IN 3 YEARS. EACH TIME THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. AUDI REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FAILURE OF THE CVT TRANSMISSION ON THAT MODEL. IT IS A DANGER TO PUBLIC SAFETY. *TR
I RECENTLY BOUGHT MY AUDI AND THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER IT DROVE JUST FINE, BUT ONCE WINTER CAME AROUND AND THE TEMPERATURES DROPPED, I NOTICED THE SMELL OF GAS IN MY CAR AS SOON AS IT WAS STARTED. I OPENED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS GAS SPRAYING FROM WHAT LOOKED LIKE ALL SIX FUEL INJECTORS. SO I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC, WHERE THEY REPLACED NUMEROUS THINGS (FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, O RINGS, VALVE SYSTEM, AND ALL 6 FUEL INJECTORS) ALL TO NO AVAIL. NOBODY CAN TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG, NOBODY KNOWS. I CALLED AUDI AND THEY TOLD ME I COULD TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP BUT THAT THEY COULDN'T PROMISE THEY CAN FIX THE CAR. I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR, IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE LOOKED ON MANY FORUMS AND THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NOBODY CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG. IS THERE A RECALL, OR ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN GIVE AS TO HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM?? *TR
THE AUDI WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN THE RPM METER STARTED TO DROP REVS SUDDENLY. ONCE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION THE ENGINE FELT ROUGH. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN 3 MILES WITH NO FURTHER INCIDENCE AND WAS PARKED FOR THE NIGHT. THE NEXT DAY WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED IN THE MORNING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO GET VERY SLUGGISH AND SHUDDERING. THE CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND THE DIAGNOSTIC CODES WERE PULLED. THE CODES SHOWED MULTIPLE CYLINDER MISFIRES WITH SPECIFIC MISFIRES IN CYLINDER 2 AND THREE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO AN AUDI DEALER WHERE THIS WAS CONFIRMED. THE DEALERSHIP MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR EXACTLY THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
THIS CAR HAS BEEN GREAT TO ME. ASIDE FROM A FUEL PUMP GOING, JUST RECENTLY I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR DIED. THE EPC LIGHT ON THE DASH POPPED UP AND LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE CALLING AAA (15-20 MIN) WHILE ON THE PHONE WITH AAA I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR AGAIN AND IT FIRED RIGHT UP. THINKING IT WAS JUST A ONE TIME ISSUE I GOT BACK ON THE FREEWAY WHERE 10 MILE OR SO LATER SAME THE SAME THING HAPPENED. ANOTHER 20 MIN OF WAITING BEFORE IT CRANKED AGAIN AT THIS POINT I WAS IN A B AD AREA WITH MY FAMILY AND EVERYONE WAS GETTING NERVOUS. AFTER IT STARTED THE EPC LIGHT STAYED ON THIS TIME AND I EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER AND THE CAR COUGHED AND STUMBLED TERRIBLY WHEN I NEEDED IT MOST. I MANAGED TO MAKE IT HOME AND LET THE CAR SIT FOR A DAY. HOPED IN AND IT CRANKED RIGHT UP. NO PROBLEMS 15 MILES LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. AFTER TALKING WITH OTHER VALUED AUDI OWNERS AND LOOKING OVER THE AUDI OWNER FORUMS. I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A QUITE COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE AUDI ACROSS THE RANGE OF THERE A SERIES FROM 1997-2011. PLEASE HELP! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI A6. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE WHILE ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE TRANSMISSION CLUTCH PLATE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,700.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V157000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000.
I HAVE 3 MAJOR CONCERNS REGARDING MY 2002 AUDI A6 3.0 QUATTRO. I WILL START WITH THE MOST DANGEROUS PROBLEM FIRST...1) THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES THAT KICK IN UNEXPECTEDLY. THE ABS/ESP PROBLEM STARTED IN MAY, 2007, WITH THE ABS/ESP LIGHT COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY, RESULTING IN US REPLACING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE PROBLEM DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN UNTIL THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES KICKED IN, IN AUG., 2009. WITH NO DEFINITE, INEXPENSIVE FIX FROM THE DEALER, WE DECIDED TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. IT DID, BRINGING THE CAR BACK IN SEPT., 2009 & AGAIN IN JUNE, 2010. AT THIS TIME, I HAD A PRIVATE IMPORT GARAGE REPLACE THE ROTATION RATE SENSOR, WHICH WAS WHAT THE DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM COULD BE. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED FURTHER, WITH THE LIGHT COMING ON EVERY FEW MONTHS, UNTIL THE BRAKES KICKED IN WHILE GOING 60 MPH, MAKING THE CAR SKID & JERK TO A STOP, PULLING ME OFF THE ROAD IN LATE SEPT, 2010. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY TERRIFYING! I HAD THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY, WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO VERIFY THE CONCERN. SINCE THEN, I HAVE NOT HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT AGAIN UNTIL APRIL, 2011, WHEN THE LIGHT STARTING COMING BACK ON AT RANDOM MOMENTS & NOW YESTERDAY, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES KICKED IN WHILE THE CRUISE WAS SET ON 60 MPH. I AM TERRIFIED TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. I CONTACTED AUDI OF AMERICA IN OCTOBER 2010 WITH NO HELP AVAILABLE! NOW ON TO PROBLEM #2)THE FLOODING IN THE INTERIOR FLOORBOARD CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION MODULE TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I SPENT THOUSANDS IN OCT, 2010 TO FIX PROBLEMS CAUSED BY A WATER LEAK IN THE CAR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW & DOOR CHANNELS & SEALS, SAYING THIS WAS THE PROBLEM. I FOUND THE FLOORBOARD WET AGAIN IN MARCH, 2011 & HAD TO PAY FOR THE CRACKED POLLEN FILTER HOUSING TO BE FIXED. A LITTLE HELP FROM AUDI ON THAT, BUT THESE WELL-DOCUMENTED PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR CONTINUE TO BE UN-FIXABLE. I'VE FOUND COMPLAINTS OF THESE PROBLEMS FROM OTHERS, AM CONTACTING A LAWYER ABOUT MY STATE'S LEMON LAW, & AM SO DISAPPOINTED IN AUDI! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI A6. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED FOR EMISSIONS 01/10/2011, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS MISFIRING DUE TO A DEFECTIVE COIL. THE FAILURE LED TO DAMAGE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE COIL. THE LOCAL AUTHORIZED DEALER REPLACED THE COIL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONVERTER WAS NOT REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,370 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,410.
AFTER PARKING THE CAR IT CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE DASHBOARD THE FIREMEN CAME AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND SAID IT WAS FROM THE ELECTRICAL FIRE FROM THE DASHBOARD. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS, THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THE SAUTER JOINT FOR THE AIR BAGS WAS NOT SAUTERED PROPERLY. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT EITHER IT WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT OR SUDDENLY DEPLOY WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED HER A CHEAPER PRICE FOR THE PART BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 AUDI A6. WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO HIS SPINE AND HEAD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 102000. UPDATED 02/03/11*LJ THE CONSUMERS WIFE WAS ALSO INJURED . UPDATED 03/22/11
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI A6. THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY PURCHASED USED AND TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THAT THE REAR CROSS MEMBER WAS FRACTURED AND HAD BEEN RE-WELDED IN FOUR DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. THE MECHANIC ALSO ADVISED THAT ONE OF THE FRACTURES WAS ONLY PARTIALLY WELDED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT IF THE WELD WAS TO FRACTURE AGAIN, IT WOULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH AND THE CONTACT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND LEFT WITH THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,764.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI A6. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ABS ENGAGED SUDDENLY AND THEN THE VEHICLE WENT BACK TO NORMAL FUNCTION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,787.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2002 Audi A6 has 4 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 88 owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Audi A6.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2002 Audi A6.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2002 Audi A6 are engine and engine cooling (12 reports), electrical system (10 reports), service brakes, hydraulic (10 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 4 recalls on record for the 2002 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.