Model year record

2000 Audi A6

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 201 owner complaints on file.

Audi A6, 1998–2004 generation
Pictured: the 1998–2004 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V056000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
106,857
Reported to NHTSA
2020-01-31
Owners notified
2021-09-21

Defect description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 TT Roadster, 2000 TT Coupe, 1999 Audi A8, 1998-2000 Audi A6, and 1999-2000 Audi A4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) that do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, possibly causing the air bag to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.

Safety risk

In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag may not properly protect the occupant, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator when the parts become available, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed September 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69BT.

Recall campaignNHTSA 06V198000

Electrical system

Component
Electrical system
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Vehicles affected
70,512
Reported to NHTSA
2006-06-05
Owners notified
2006-12-16

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING OR FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V133000

Electrical system

Component
Electrical system
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Vehicles affected
172,866
Reported to NHTSA
2004-03-18
Owners notified
2004-07-26

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A FIRE COULD ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT DASHBOARD AREA.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V157000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
70,000
Reported to NHTSA
2001-05-03
Owners notified
2001-05-01

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system1975,000 mi
Tires1152,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module1057,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel897,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline8115,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine740,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic776,002 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly694,750 mi
Fuel/propulsion system6135,222 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly649,000 mi
Unknown or other6—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash577,040 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip571,000 mi
Service brakes, electric4115,000 mi
Tires: sidewall425,000 mi
Air bags: frontal380,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module358,099 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system352,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission350,000 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit3—
Suspension333,204 mi
Suspension: front3—
Vehicle speed control366,624 mi
Air bags245,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers252,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling22,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger261,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system288,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor278,000 mi
Equipment250,000 mi
Exterior lighting2—
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock2—
Power train2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2—
Steering2164,760 mi
Suspension: front: control arm224,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm293,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint250,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls255,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: wiring165,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan139,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)197,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery152,000 mi
Fuel system, other1—
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system170,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly193,700 mi
Interior lighting1—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)198,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission1—
Seat belts1121,550 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light164,300 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder148,550 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Structure197,000 mi
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Structure: body: door1—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields145,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing150,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal187,301 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1—
Visibility152,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1—
Wheels: rim1—

The 1999 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2001 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Audi A6 model years

All Audi A6 recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.