2001 Audi A6 recalls and problems

The 2001 Audi A6 has 7 safety recalls and 113 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Audi dealer.

Recalls
7
Complaints
113
Crashes / fires
11 / 7
Injuries / deaths
10 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2001 Audi A6 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2001 Audi A6 recalls

Recall 11V-267: Fuel System, Other

Reported May 3, 2011 · 5,992 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

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.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could lead to a vehicle fire.

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.

Recall 08V-157: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Apr 8, 2008 · 68,240 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

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.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could lead to a vehicle fire.

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.

Recall 06V-198: Electrical System

Reported Jun 5, 2006 · 70,512 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

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.

Risk: This condition could lead to overheating or fire.

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.

Recall 04V-133: Electrical System

Reported Mar 18, 2004 · 172,866 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

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.

Risk: A fire could originate in the left dashboard area.

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.

Recall 03V-143: Tires

Reported Apr 7, 2003 · 1,360 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

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.

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.

Recall 01V-202: Visibility

Reported Jun 18, 2001 · 2,837 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

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.

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.

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.

Recall 01V-157: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported May 3, 2001 · 70,000 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

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.

Risk: Running out of fuel without warning while the fuel gauge indicates that there is sufficient fuel in the tank lead to safety problems.

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.

2001 Audi A6 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Engine and Engine Cooling18
Air Bags16
Power Train16
Electrical System14
Fuel System, Gasoline12
Service Brakes, Hydraulic12
Tires11
Exterior Lighting6
Structure5
Vehicle Speed Control5
Suspension5
Fuel/Propulsion System5

Most reported parts

  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 10
  • Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly — 6
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 6
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 5
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline — 4
  • Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal — 3
  • Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash — 3
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 2

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 78,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2001 Audi A6 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Fuel/Propulsion System · reported May 8, 2023
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.
Air Bags · reported Aug 6, 2021
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.
Wheels · at 180,000 miles · reported Oct 6, 2018
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…
Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Aug 25, 2016
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.
Air Bags · reported Apr 19, 2016
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.

Other Audi A6 years

Compare all Audi A6 years · All Audi models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2001 Audi A6 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2001 Audi A6: 11V-267 (fuel system, other), 08V-157 (fuel system, gasoline), 06V-198 (electrical system), 04V-133 (electrical system), 03V-143 (tires) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Audi A6?

Owners report engine and engine cooling problems most often (18 reports), followed by air bags (16). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 78,000 miles.

Are Audi recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Audi dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.