2001 Audi A6

◆ Worse than typical
2001 Audi A6
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:31:57.584Z

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Audi A6 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2001 highlighted. 1994: 2 complaints 1994 1995: 16 complaints 1996: 51 complaints 1997: 20 complaints 1998: 130 complaints 1999: 217 complaints 1999 2000: 148 complaints 2001: 113 complaints 2001 2002: 88 complaints 2003: 66 complaints 2004: 35 complaints 2004 2005: 91 complaints 2006: 67 complaints 2007: 53 complaints 2008: 70 complaints 2009: 21 complaints 2009 2010: 17 complaints 2011: 21 complaints 2012: 59 complaints 2013: 52 complaints 2014: 40 complaints 2014 2015: 21 complaints 2016: 51 complaints 2017: 20 complaints 2018: 11 complaints 2019: 113 complaints 2019 2020: 24 complaints 2021: 15 complaints 2022: 2 complaints 2023: 1 complaints 2024: 0 complaints 2024 2025: 4 complaints 2026: 4 complaints 2026
2001: 113 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19942
199516
199651
199720
1998130
1999217
2000148
2001113
200288
200366
200435
200591
200667
200753
200870
200921
201017
201121
201259
201352
201440
201521
201651
201720
201811
2019113
202024
202115
20222
20231
20240
20254
20264

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

TIRES 9%

9% of complaints: tires — 10 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show 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

POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 10 distinct reports on file.

AIR BAGS 8%

8% of complaints: air bags — 9 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show 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

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 5%

5% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 6 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 5%

5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 6 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

2001 — complaint volume: 113
R 20010501 — fuel system, gasoline

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

R 20010622 — visibility

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

I 20020123 — PE (closed 20020712)

BRAKE AND CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET

R 20030919 — tires

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

R 20040726 — electrical system

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

R 20061216 — electrical system

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

I 20080131 — PE (closed 20080530)

FUEL TANK LEAK

R 20080627 — fuel system, gasoline

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

R 20110621 — fuel system, other

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

▲ 2004 ▲ 2014 ● 1996

WORST YEARS

■ 1999 ■ 2000 ◆ 1998

See all years ranked →

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.