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
- 113
- Recalls
- 7
- Investigations
- 2
- Top problem
- Engine and engine cooling
Campaigns on file for 2001
Opened by NHTSA
16% of complaints
Complaints per year
2001: 113 complaints
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 | 71 |
| 2009 | 21 |
| 2010 | 17 |
| 2011 | 21 |
| 2012 | 59 |
| 2013 | 52 |
| 2014 | 41 |
| 2015 | 22 |
| 2016 | 51 |
| 2017 | 20 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2019 | 114 |
| 2020 | 26 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Engine and engine cooling
16% · 18 reportsMost commonly citing engine and gasoline.
Power train
14% · 16 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
Air bags
14% · 16 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and side/window.
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, 2021-08-06
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, 2016-04-19
The air bags did not deploy when the vehicle was hit at 40 MPH resulting in injuries to the consumer. The dealer was notified.
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-08
Service brakes
12% · 14 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Show complaint excerpts
Was driving in my 2001 Audi A6 to work, at about 45 MPH, and when apply my brake, it suddenly went soft and the ABS light came on, also the brake light on dash starts flashing.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-06-09
Electrical system
12% · 14 reportsMost commonly citing interior/under dash and wiring.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Audi A6. The contact stated that when the vehicle was turned on, there was a clicking noise emerging from the center of the dashboard. All the warning indicators illuminated and smoke started to emerge from the vents.
NHTSA ODI report, 2015-09-22
Safety timeline
7 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2001Complaint volume 113 complaints filed for this model year.
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R
2001-05-01Fuel system, gasoline01V157000 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…
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…
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R
2001-06-22Visibility01V202000 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…
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…
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I
2002-01-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 2002-07-12 Brake and clutch pedal bracket
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2003-09-19Tires03V143000 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…
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…
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R
2004-07-26Electrical system04V133000 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…
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…
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R
2006-12-16Electrical system06V198000 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…
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.
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I
2008-01-31Preliminary evaluationClosed 2008-05-30 Fuel tank leak
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R
2008-06-27Fuel system, gasoline08V157000 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…
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.
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2011-06-21Fuel system, other11V267000 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…
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…
Buy-smart checklist
2001 Audi A6 — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Engine and engine cooling: 18 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 16 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 16 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 01V157000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 01V202000 · Visibility
- Recall 03V143000 · Tires
- Recall 04V133000 · Electrical system
- Recall 06V198000 · Electrical system
- Recall 08V157000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 11V267000 · Fuel system, other
Other years of this model
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 engine and engine cooling, accounting for 16% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2001 Audi A6 have?
- 7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.