2001 Audi A6
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 2 |
| 1995 | 16 |
| 1996 | 51 |
| 1997 | 20 |
| 1998 | 130 |
| 1999 | 217 |
| 2000 | 148 |
| 2001 | 113 |
| 2002 | 88 |
| 2003 | 66 |
| 2004 | 35 |
| 2005 | 91 |
| 2006 | 67 |
| 2007 | 53 |
| 2008 | 70 |
| 2009 | 21 |
| 2010 | 17 |
| 2011 | 21 |
| 2012 | 59 |
| 2013 | 52 |
| 2014 | 40 |
| 2015 | 21 |
| 2016 | 51 |
| 2017 | 20 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2019 | 113 |
| 2020 | 24 |
| 2021 | 15 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 4 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
9% of complaints: tires — 10 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
THIS IS IN REFERENCE TO THE AUDI RECALL REFERENCING REPLACEMENT OF TIRES TO MEET AXLE WEIGHT OF VEHICLE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NO #03V143000.TIRES 225/45 R17 91Y WERE TO BE REPLACED BY 225/45 R17 94W.
NHTSA ODI report, 20040114
9% of complaints: power train — 10 distinct reports on file.
8% of complaints: air bags — 9 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20210806
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20160419
THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS HIT AT 40 MPH RESULTING IN INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *MR *JG *NLM
NHTSA ODI report, 20021008
5% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 6 distinct reports on file.
5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 6 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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 SEN
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 CHEMIC
Campaign 01V157000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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 RECEIV
Campaign 01V202000 — check if this car was fixed
BRAKE AND CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET
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
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 FR
Campaign 03V143000 — check if this car was fixed
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 SHOR
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
Campaign 04V133000 — check if this car was fixed
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: VE
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.
Campaign 06V198000 — check if this car was fixed
FUEL TANK LEAK
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
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.
Campaign 08V157000 — check if this car was fixed
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, 2
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 1-800-82
Campaign 11V267000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2001 Audi A6 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for tires issues (10 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (10 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (9 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 01V157000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01V202000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V143000 (tires) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V133000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06V198000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08V157000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 11V267000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2001 Audi A6 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Audi A6 is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Audi A6?
The most-reported component is tires, accounting for 9% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2001 Audi A6 have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.