2001 Audi A6 recalls and problems

The 2001 Audi A6 has 7 recalls and 113 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is engine.

Pictured: a 2000 model; the 2001 may differ in details. Photo: 2000 Audi A6 by Charlie from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How the 2001 compares

Highest

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Highest complaint count among 27 A6 model years — 3rd most.

7recalls

113complaints

11crashes

7fires

10injuries

78,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

7 recalls

Fuel System

May 3, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V267000 · 5,992 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Original NHTSA wording

A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy & notes

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 safety recall no. 20L8/jy.owners May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .

Fuel System

Apr 8, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V157000 · 68,240 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Original NHTSA wording

A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy & notes

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.

Vw recall no. 20L8/jy.customers May contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Electrical System

Jun 5, 2006 · NHTSA campaign 06V198000 · 70,512 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Original NHTSA wording

THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING OR FIRE.

Remedy & notes

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 (Audi) recall no. Jn.customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Electrical System

Mar 18, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V133000 · 172,866 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Original NHTSA wording

A FIRE COULD ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT DASHBOARD AREA.

Remedy & notes

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.

Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Tires

Apr 7, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V143000 · 1,360 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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 & notes

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.

Vw recall no. Lv.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Visibility

Jun 18, 2001 · NHTSA campaign 01V202000 · 2,837 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Original NHTSA wording

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 & notes

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.

Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Fuel System

May 3, 2001 · NHTSA campaign 01V157000 · 70,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Original NHTSA wording

RUNNING OUT OF FUEL WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATES THAT THERE IS SUFFICIENT FUEL IN THE TANK LEAD TO SAFETY PROBLEMS.

Remedy & notes

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.

Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Engine20

Tires11

Vehicle Speed Control5

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

NHTSA investigations

FUEL TANK LEAK

PE08008 · opened Jan 31, 2008 · closed May 30, 2008 · led to recall 08V156000

Summary

VOLKSWAGEN (VW) IS RECALLING CERTAIN VW PASSAT 4MOTION AND AUDI A6 QUATTRO AND ALLROAD QUATTRO ALL-WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER CARS.VW VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL WERE MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 22, 2000 THROUGH MAY 31, 2005 AND AUDI VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2, 2001 TO JUNE 1, 2005.THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER FOR THE VW VEHICLES IS 08V-156 (VW ALSO IS CORRECTING DEFECTS RELATED TO HEAT SHIELD AND FUEL LINE HAZARDS FOR THESE VEHICLES AND FOR 1999-2000 PASSATS IN THIS RECALL ACTION.)THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER FOR THE AUDI VEHICLES IS 08V-157.SINCE 2006, ODI HAS RECEIVED 17 COMPLAINTS OF FUEL LEAKING FROM THE SUBJECT VEHICLES' FUEL TANKS.THE 400 COMPLAINTS SHOWN ABOVE MAY INCLUDE DUPLICATE REPORTS TO ODI AND THE MANUFACTURER. WHILE THE CONSEQUENCE (FUEL LEAKS FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK) IS SIMILAR FOR BOTH THE PASSAT AND AUDI SUBJECT VEHICLES, DIFFERENCES IN DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION REQUIRE A DIFFERENT REMEDY FOR EACH VEHICLE.ON THE PASSATS, THE VENTILATION LINE COULD HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY WITH TENSION AND WITH AN INCORRECTLY POSITIONED CABLE TIE.THE TENSION COULD CAUSE CRACKED OR BROKEN NIPPLES ON THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE.ON THE AUDI VEHICLES, A MATERIAL CHANGE (EFFECTIVE JUNE 2, 2001) WITH DIFFERENT AGING CHARACTERISTICS USED FOR THE ROLLOVER VALVE AND THE USE OF AN INFLEXIBLE ALUMINUM VENTILATION LINE COULD CAUSE CRACKING OF THE NIPPLE ON THE ROLLOVER VALVE.VW IS RECALLING ALL VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THESE DEFECTS.IT WILL INSPECT PASSATS TO ENSURE THAT T…

BRAKE AND CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET

PE02008 · opened Jan 23, 2002 · closed Jul 12, 2002

2001 vs. other Audi A6 years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2001. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2001 Audi A6 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns covering the 2001 Audi A6, the latest from May 3, 2011 (fuel system). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Audi A6?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention engine (20), fuel system (19), air bags (15). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.