Model year record

2001 Audi A6

7 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 148 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 11V267000

Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly

Component: Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Vehicles affected: 5,992
Reported to NHTSA: 2011-05-03
Owners notified: 2011-06-21

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V157000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Vehicles affected: 68,240
Reported to NHTSA: 2008-04-08
Owners notified: 2008-06-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

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 03V143000

Tires

Component: Tires
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected: 1,360
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-04-07
Owners notified: 2003-09-19

Defect description

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V202000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Component: Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected: 2,837
Reported to NHTSA: 2001-06-18
Owners notified: 2001-06-22

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

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.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Power train: automatic transmission	10	45,000 mi
Tires	10	36,400 mi
Air bags	9	46,700 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	6	29,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly	6	35,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	5	54,262 mi
Electrical system	5	87,522 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	5	100,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	5	—
Service brakes, hydraulic	5	8,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	4	78,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	4	—
Structure	4	89,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	3	22,300 mi
Power train	3	80,000 mi
Unknown or other	3	54,262 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	3	—
Air bags: side/window	2	71,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring	2	53,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	2	69,000 mi
Engine	2	149,995 mi
Equipment: other: labels	2	26,000 mi
Exterior lighting	2	97,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	2	85,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system	2	23,960 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	2	64,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	2	3,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	2	89,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	1	63,904 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator	1	—
Electrical system: horn	1	—
Electrical system: starter assembly	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	1	70,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	1	117,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor	1	132,200 mi
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift	1	—
Exterior lighting: brake lights	1	70,000 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights	1	54,262 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system	1	—
Fuel system, other	1	170,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)	1	—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines	1	28,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission	1	—
Seat belts: rear/other	1	85,000 mi
Seats	1	—
Seats: front assembly: recliner	1	—
Service brakes	1	100,000 mi
Service brakes, air	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders	1	14,048 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages	1	23,000 mi
Steering: column	1	5 mi
Structure: body: bumpers	1	—
Suspension	1	40 mi
Suspension: front	1	—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm	1	64,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm	1	64,000 mi
Suspension: rear	1	94,000 mi
Tires: sidewall	1	—
Traction control system	1	113,000 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer	1	160,000 mi
Wheels	1	180,000 mi
Wheels: rim	1	—

The 2000 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2002 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.

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.