2001 Audi A6 Problems and Recalls (104 Complaints)
The most-reported problem on the 2001 Audi A6 is Fuel system (17% of 104 owner reports). There are 7 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Fuel system — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 104 complaints · 7 recalls
What problems show up on the 2001 Audi A6?
18 of 104 filings named Fuel system (17% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.
Second is Airbags (15 reports).
There are 7 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Fuel system and Glass / wipers / cameras. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.
The 2000 has 138 reports on file; this year has 104. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.
What owners reported
System named most often: Fuel system 18 complaints · 17.3% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
- Crashes 10
- Fires 7
- Injuries 10
- Deaths 0
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Which systems owners named
Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.
“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.
View component data as a table
| System / Component | Complaints | Share of Reports | Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) | 18 | 17.3% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Airbags (AIR BAGS) | 15 | 14.4% | 7 crashes · 1 fires |
| Engine (ENGINE) | 14 | 13.5% | 0 crashes · 1 fires |
| Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) | 10 | 9.6% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) | 9 | 8.7% | 0 crashes · 3 fires |
| Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) | 8 | 7.7% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) | 4 | 3.9% | 0 crashes · 1 fires |
| Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) | 4 | 3.9% | 1 crashes · 0 fires |
| Body / frame (STRUCTURE) | 3 | 2.9% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Unclassified NHTSA leftover | 66 | 63.5% | 7 crashes · 6 fires |
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
When reports and recalls showed up
When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.
- Campaign 01V157000 was reported 35 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 08V157000 was reported 2,567 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 11V267000 was reported 3,687 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
| Date | Record type | Count | Record identifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001-Q1 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2001-Q2 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2001-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2001-Q4 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2002-Q1 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2002-Q2 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2002-Q4 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2003-Q1 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2003-Q2 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2003-Q3 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2003-Q4 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 2004-Q1 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2004-Q2 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2004-Q3 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2004-Q4 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2005-Q1 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2005-Q2 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2005-Q3 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2006-Q2 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2006-Q4 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2007-Q3 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2008-Q2 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2008-Q3 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2009-Q1 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2009-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2009-Q3 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2010-Q1 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2011-Q1 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2011-Q2 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2011-Q3 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2011-Q4 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2012-Q1 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2012-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2012-Q3 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2013-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2013-Q4 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2014-Q1 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2014-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2014-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2015-Q2 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2015-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2016-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2016-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2018-Q4 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2019-Q4 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2021-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2023-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 01V157000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 01V202000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 03V143000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 04V133000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 06V198000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 08V157000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 11V267000 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | PE02008 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | PE08008 |
Safety Recalls (7)
Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.
In short, these campaigns were filed about Fuel system and Glass / wipers / cameras.
-
Recall campaign 01V157000
Fuel system
- Report date
- Component:
- Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
- Consequence:
- RUNNING OUT OF FUEL WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATES THAT THERE IS SUFFICIENT FUEL IN THE TANK LEAD TO SAFETY PROBLEMS.
- 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 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.
-
Recall campaign 01V202000
Glass / wipers / cameras
- Report date
- Component:
- Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY)
- Consequence:
- 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.
- 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 RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-866-892-2834.
-
Recall campaign 03V143000
Safety recall 03V143000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- Not available in the source record
- 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 FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
-
Recall campaign 04V133000
Safety recall 04V133000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- A FIRE COULD ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT DASHBOARD AREA.
- 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, AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 26, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
-
Recall campaign 06V198000
Safety recall 06V198000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING OR FIRE.
- 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.
-
Recall campaign 08V157000
Fuel system
- Report date
- Component:
- Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
- Consequence:
- A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.
- 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.
-
Recall campaign 11V267000
Fuel system
- Report date
- Component:
- Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
- Consequence:
- A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.
- 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 1-800-822-2834.
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
What owners actually wrote
Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Showing 9 of 104 complaints · page 1 of 5
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 just such a symptom, and has been confirmed by two independent mechanics.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 my ribs and neck. I am lucky to be alive.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
AIR BAG LIGHT ON
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 SHOULDER FOUND I WAS RIDING ON RIM. THE TIRE HAD BLOWN OFF RIM TO THE BACK OF WHEEL WELL PUSHING OFF THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE CABLE FOR THAT WHEEL AND DAMAGING MY WHEEL WELL. A FEW MINUTES AFTER EXAMINING TIRE A STATE OF NEVADA EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE VAN PULLED UP AND SAID AFTER LOOKING AT TIRE, YOUR LUCKY YOU DIDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WITH THAT TIRE FAILURE. HE PUT ON SPARE AND I DROVE AWAY. I ALSO HAD OTHER TIRE EXPERTS LOOK AT TIRE AND NOT ONE OF THEM SAID IT WAS A ROAD HAZARD EVEN THOUGH THE MANUFACTURER SAID IT WAS AFTER THEIR INSPECTION. ONE OF THE TIRE EXPERTS WHO SELLS THEIR TIRES SAID DON'T EVEN TRY TO GET THEM TO REPLACE THAT TIRE THEY NEVER DO. GOODYEAR IS THE PARENT COMPANY.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND EVACUATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT AN ELECTRICAL FIRE OCCURRED THAT ORIGINATED AT THE WIRING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V133000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
I HAVE A 2001 AUDI A6 QUATTRO 2.8L WITH P1411 AND P1423 DTC CODES. I AM HEARING IT IS A VACUUM HOSE OR COMBI VALUE PROBLEMS FROM WHAT I AM READING, COMMON TO THIS MODEL, BUT I HAVE HAD SEVERAL MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND NOT WANT TO TACKLE IT. IN A RECENT FORUM I WAS TOLD MANY OF THE ITEMS I HAVE LISTED WERE RECALL ITEMS-INCLUDING VACUUM HOSES. YES, MANY WERE, THERE WAS EVEN A LAW SUIT WITH AUDI, THAT AUDI DENIED MY CLAIM AND PAID SEVERAL ON. I APPEALED AND THEY DID NOT RESPOND AND DID NOT DEFINE WHY THEY REFUSED TO COVER IT. AUDI STILL HAS YET TO COVER THE VEHICLE IN THE PROFESSIONAL MANNER I EXPECTED. MY LIFE BURDENS ARE ENOUGH, I DO NOT NEED A CAR MANUFACTURER OR DEALER TO YANK ME AROUND, THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 205,000 MILES, BECAUSE I PAID OUTRAGEOUS CAR REPAIRS ON IT. I FEEL AUDI IS A GOOD CAR, BUT FIXING THINGS ON IT THAT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER RECALLS AND SERVICE WARRANTIES IS NOT HAPPENING. DO I REALLY HAVE TO SUE TO GET RESULTS, THIS IS RIDICULOUS! I HAVE EXPERIENCED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, FAILED EMISSIONS TESTING, HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS, ISSUES WITH WATER IN LENSES AND MIRRORS, TURN SIGNAL ISSUES, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY FUEL LINE, REPLACED TIE RODS, AND ABS BRAKE LIGHT SIGNALS AFTER BRAKE REPAIR. I AM HOPING NHTSA CAN SHED SOME LIGHT AND ASSIST ME WITH RECTIFYING MY CAR SITUATION POSSIBLY. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THESE ISSUES FOR MANY YEARS NOW AND I AM HOPEFUL TO RECEIVE SOME RELIEF. *TR
CrashFireInjuryDeath
GAS LEAKING ON THE FLOOR OF GARAGE FROM ROLL-OVER NIPPLE. THE DEALER REFUSED TO APPLY RECALL (NOT COVERED VIN) FOR THIS ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WITH AUDI PARTS AS LISTED IN DOT RECALL DOCUMENTS. THE REPAIR FAILED IN APRIL 2015. THE 3M MATERIAL USED IN THE REPAIR HAD DETERIORATED. *TR
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems on the 2001 Audi A6?
Owners named Fuel system most often — 18 of 104 reports (17%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.
Are there recalls for the 2001 Audi A6?
NHTSA lists 7 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Fuel system and Glass / wipers / cameras. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.
What should I inspect before buying a 2001 Audi A6?
Look up the VIN for open recalls. Check for fuel smell, leaks and whether it starts and idles cleanly. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.
Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?
No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.
Estimated Ownership Cost
EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates
Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Adjacent Model Years
Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Methodology & Data Integrity
Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.