2001 Audi A6 recalls and problems

7 recalls and 113 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2001 Audi A6.

7
recalls
113
owner complaints
11
complaints mentioning a crash
7
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2001 Audi A6 recalls

Fuel system, other: storage, tank assembly

NHTSA campaign 11V267000 · reported May 3, 2011 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC · 5,992 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could lead to a vehicle fire.
The fix
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.

Fuel system, gasoline: storage, tank assembly

NHTSA campaign 08V157000 · reported April 8, 2008 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC · 68,240 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could lead to a vehicle fire.
The fix
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.

Electrical system

NHTSA campaign 06V198000 · reported June 5, 2006 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC · 70,512 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
This condition could lead to overheating or fire.
The fix
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.

Electrical system

NHTSA campaign 04V133000 · reported March 18, 2004 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC · 172,866 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
A fire could originate in the left dashboard area.
The fix
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.

Tires

NHTSA campaign 03V143000 · reported April 7, 2003 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC · 1,360 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The fix
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.

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

NHTSA campaign 01V202000 · reported June 18, 2001 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC · 2,837 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The 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.
The fix
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.

Fuel system, gasoline: storage, tank assembly

NHTSA campaign 01V157000 · reported May 3, 2001 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC · 70,000 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
Running out of fuel without warning while the fuel gauge indicates that there is sufficient fuel in the tank lead to safety problems.
The fix
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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

May 8, 2023 · Fuel/propulsion system

My Audi A6 is experiencing symptoms of a documented and open recall at Audi, and Audi USA and the dealer are refusing to even evaluate the vehicle for recall status. The recall is a rollover valve nipple, with age and stress cracking can develop on the plastic fuel tank, causing a leak to occur. My car is experiencing…

Aug 6, 2021 · Air bags · crash reported

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. All the air bags in car had deployed except for the driver's airbag. As a consequence, I sustained severe damages to…

Dec 15, 2019 · Air bags · 78,000 miles

AIR BAG LIGHT ON

Oct 6, 2018 · Wheels · 180,000 miles

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 80 AROUND A CURVE WHEN I HEAR A LOUD NOISE O LOOKED AROUND AT THE OTHER CARS IN THE OTHER LANES TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND THEY WERE LOOKING AT ME WONDERING THE SAME THING OR THEY SAW THE BLOWOUT AND OR HEARD THE NOISE? I REALIZED IT WAS MY TIRE LOSING STEERING CONTROL. I QUICKLY MOVED OVER TO…

Aug 25, 2016 · Fuel/propulsion system

A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE IN THE VEHICLE, STRONG SMELL CABIN AFTER FILLING GAS TANK TO FULL. IT IS A SAFTEY WARNING BECAUSE ANY IGNITION OR LIGHTING CAN IGNITE A FLAME.

A6 model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2000 414848
2001 7113117
2002 48863
2003 76615
2004 43512

Across all years, the 2000 A6 has the most complaints (148). All Audi A6 years →

Questions

Does the 2001 Audi A6 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2001 Audi A6, the most recent reported on May 3, 2011 (Fuel system, other: storage, tank assembly). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Audi A6?
Owners have filed 113 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine and engine cooling (18 complaints), followed by air bags (15).
How many 2001 Audi A6 complaints mention a crash or fire?
11 of 113 complaints report a crash and 7 a fire; 10 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received May 8, 2023.