2002 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 | 71 |
| 2009 | 21 |
| 2010 | 17 |
| 2011 | 21 |
| 2012 | 59 |
| 2013 | 52 |
| 2014 | 41 |
| 2015 | 22 |
| 2016 | 51 |
| 2017 | 20 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2019 | 114 |
| 2020 | 25 |
| 2021 | 16 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 6 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
17% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing exhaust system and engine.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
VEHICLE WILL SLOW DOWN WITHOUT AND SHUT DOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20020710
WHEN MAKING RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS VEHICLE WILL SHUTOFF OR WILL START TO LOOSE POWER. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20020614
17% of complaints: electrical system — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and front underhood.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 AUDI A6. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THERE WAS AN ODOR OF SMOKE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED SMOKE COMING THROUGH THE VENTS ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180306
AFTER PARKING THE CAR IT CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE DASHBOARD THE FIREMEN CAME AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND SAID IT WAS FROM THE ELECTRICAL FIRE FROM THE DASHBOARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20120710
Also filed under AIR BAGS and ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
14% of complaints: service brakes — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.
11% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tank assembly and fuel pump.
11% of complaints: power train — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
2002 Audi A6 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (15 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (15 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (12 reports on file for this year).
- 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 2002 Audi A6 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Audi A6 is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Audi A6?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 17% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Audi A6 have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.