Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
113
Latest May 8, 2023
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
19
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jul 12, 2000
What this page shows
Our database holds 113 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Audi A6. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaints, most recent first
Showing 1–25 of 113 · page 1 of 5
Fuel system
Filed 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.
NHTSA ID
11520957
Incident
Mar 1, 2023
Airbags
Filed Aug 6, 2021
Crash reported1 injury 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 my ribs and neck. I am lucky to be alive.
NHTSA ID
11428121
Incident
Jul 6, 2021
Airbags
Filed Dec 15, 2019
AIR BAG LIGHT ON
NHTSA ID
11289146
Incident
Mar 10, 2012
Mileage
78,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed 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 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.
NHTSA ID
11138799
Incident
Jun 28, 2018
Mileage
180,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed 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.
NHTSA ID
10898496
Incident
Nov 27, 2015
Airbags
Filed Apr 19, 2016
1 injury reported
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.
NHTSA ID
10860319
Incident
Oct 29, 2012
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 22, 2015
Fire reported
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.
NHTSA ID
10767326
Incident
Jun 7, 2013
Mileage
40,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Apr 20, 2015
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
NHTSA ID
10706578
Incident
Nov 3, 2008
Fuel system
Filed Apr 18, 2015
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
NHTSA ID
10706443
Incident
Apr 2, 2012
Mileage
80,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 23, 2014
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 104,000 MILES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON AUDI'S. THE CAR WAS A $55000 CAR! I ENDED UP SELLING IT FOR PARTS, AS THE COST OF A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS MORE THAN THE MARKET VALUE. I WILL NEVER BUY AUDI AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ID
10627673
Incident
Aug 1, 2013
Mileage
104,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 10, 2014
THERE IS NOT ACCIDENT INVOLVED YET. THERE IS A GAS SMELL ON LEFT REAR SIDE, OVER THE WHEEL ARCH ON MY AUDI A6 2001. I SEARCHED NHTSA FOR AUDI RECALL CAMPAIGN. THERE IS A RECALL CAMPAIGN# 11V267000 HOWEVER, WHEN I CONTACT AUDI-USA AT THE NUMBER PROVIDED BY THIS CAMPAIGN, THAT IS 1-800-822-2834, AFTER ASKING MY THE VEHICLE MILEAGE, AUDI-USA JUST SAID MY CAR IS NOT COVERED BY THE THIS RECALL. APPARENTLY, THE DEFECT EXACTLY MATCHES WHAT THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN# 11V267000 DESCRIBES. WHY AUDI-USA REFUSES TO COVER MY CAR? I AM WONDERING WHETHER IT'S BECAUSE MY CAR IS AT HIGH MILEAGE. THEY MAY TRY TO SAVE COST, BUT THIS IS AN APPARENT SAFETY HAZARD CAUSED BY MANUFACTURING DEFECT. AND THE DEFECT SHOULD BE FIXED REGARDLESS OF VEHICLE MILEAGE. REGULATORS NEED TO OVERSIGHT THINGS LIKE THIS. THE CAR MANUFACTURERS CANNOT JUST WAIT TO FIX DEFECTS UNTIL REAL ACCIDENT HAPPENS. *TR
NHTSA ID
10578826
Incident
Apr 10, 2014
Mileage
170,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 28, 2014
OUR 2001 AUDI AND MANY OTHER CARS LIKE IT HAVE PLASTIC HEADLIGHTS THAT PERFORM WELL FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THEN IN ANY SUNNY LOCATION LIKE THE US SOUTHWEST THEY BEGIN TO FOG UP AND BECOME PROGRESSIVELY MORE OPAQUE. THIS RESULTS IS MORE LIGHT SCATTER USING THE HEADLAMPS AT NIGHT: THE HEADLAMPS NO LONGER FOCUS A NARROW BEAM OF LIGHT ON THE ROADWAY AHEAD. DUE TO FOGGED, OPAQUE HEAD LAMP LIGHT SCATTER VISIBILITY IS REDUCED PUTTING ESPECIALLY PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLES AT RISK WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. ALSO, ONCOMING TRAFFIC EXPERIENCES GREATER NIGHTTIME GLARE FROM FOGGED HEADLAMPS INCREASING ACCIDENT RISK. OFTEN, REPLACEMENT COSTS FOR NEW PLASTIC HEADLAMPS ARE PROHIBITIVE - AT TIMES MORE THAN THE COST OF A USED CAR. MANY US DRIVERS THUS DRIVE WITH FOGGED UP, OPAQUE HEADLAMPS. PREVIOUSLY GLASS HEADLAMPS DELIVERED MANY DECADES OF RELIABLE SERVICE WITHOUT EVER FOGGING UP AS DO THE WINDOWS OF ANY OLDER CAR. I BELIEVE THE NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE AND CONSIDER ISSUING A SAFETY RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ID
10575329
Incident
Sep 19, 2011
Mileage
97,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE PEDAL MODULE WAS STUCK AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
NHTSA ID
10565648
Incident
Feb 23, 2014
Mileage
89,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 30, 2013
DRIVING WESTBOUND ON I20 FROM COLUMBIA, SC TO ST ROBERT/FORT LEONARD WOOD, MO WHEN ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. LIMPED ABOUT 3/4 MI TO NEXT EXIT AND CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK. TRANSPORTED VEHICLE BACK TO NEAREST AUDI DEALER (45 MI EAST) IN COLUMBIA, SC. AUDI OF COLUMBIA DID DIAGNOSTIC AND AFTER $2527.00 DETERMINED THAT THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ON BANK 1 BROKE IN THE CENTER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT MANAGER STATED HE HAS NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF THAT HAPPENING IN ALL HIS YEARS WITH AUDI. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A MATERIAL DEFECT AND I SHOULD NOT BE CHARGED FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE (SERVICE MANAGERS RECOMMENDATION). *TR
NHTSA ID
10557844
Incident
Mar 16, 2013
Mileage
149,995 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 11, 2013
I PARKED MY CAR FRIDAY NIGHT WHEN I CAME FROM WORK. I WOKE UP SATURDAY MORNING I HAD A FLOOD IN MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AND BACK I CHECKED ALL WINDOWS WAS SHUT SO I WENT TO MECH AND HE SAYS WITH THIS MODEL FROM 2001 TO 2004 HE SEEN THIS PROBLEM A LOT IT'S A CLOGGED DRAIN SO HE SAID ITS A DEFAULT ON AUDI. *TR
NHTSA ID
10516204
Incident
Jun 8, 2013
Mileage
127,300 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 4, 2012
WHEN FILLING CAR WITH GAS THE GAS LEAKS OUT BY FILLER TUBE AT LEAST A GALLON OR MORE. HAVE TRIED TWO DIFFERENT GARAGES TO FIX PROBLEM BUT STILL LEAKS. I DON'T WANT TO HAVE AN EXPLOSION CAUSED FROM THIS PROBLEM, OR GAS LEAKED OUT MY DRIVEWAY OR ROADS. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. I BOUGHT THIS CAR ON THE REPUTATION OF AUDI AND VW. *TR
NHTSA ID
10469167
Incident
Jun 8, 2011
Electrical
Filed Jul 15, 2012
CENTER DISPLAY LCD PANEL IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FADES OUT PARTICULARLY IN WARM WEATHER AND THE INFORMATION IT PROVIDES CANNOT BE READ. SINCE SOME OF THE INFORMATION SHOWN IN THIS DISPLAY IS IMPORTANT FOR SAFE OPERATION OF VEHICLE THE FAILURE OF THE DISPLAY TO BE ADEQUATELY LEGIBLE IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
NHTSA ID
10465697
Incident
Jul 1, 2010
Mileage
110,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 9, 2012
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. I PERFORMED A BRAKE SERVICE BUT AND IT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM, I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND FOUND OUT IT HAD A FAULTY ABS CIRCUIT AND WOULD COST AROUND $2000 TO REPAIR. I LATER DID A RESEARCH AND LEARNED THAT THESE VEHICLES HAS A COMMON ABS PROBLEM, WHICH THE AUDI DEALERS WOULD NOT ANSWER TO. I ALSO LEARNED THIS DEVICE WERE RECALL ON THE VW. ARE THERE ANYONE TO PROTECTS US FROM THIS COSTLY, FAULTY UNIT FAILURE? *JS
NHTSA ID
10461096
Incident
Apr 30, 2012
Mileage
100,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 24, 2012
Fire reported
THE INSULATED HEAR SHIELD AROUND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER STARTED A SLOW BURN AND EXCESSIVE SMOKE, CAUSING A FIRE ALARM, WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED AT MY WORK PLACE. THE FIRE COMPANY RESPONDED AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED A SECOND TIME. UPDATED 01/30/12 *BF
NHTSA ID
10445388
Incident
May 13, 2011
Mileage
132,200 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 12, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 AUDI A6 AVANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. THE FAILURE PROGRESSED OVER TIME AND THE CONTACT FOUND A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 02/01/12 *BF UPDATED 02/07/12*BF THE CONSUMER STATED AUDI AGREED TO PAY THE COST OF REPLACING THE FUEL TANK. UPDATED 02/22/12
NHTSA ID
10443555
Incident
Jan 12, 2008
Mileage
35,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 17, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED A FUEL LEAK NEAR THE FUEL TANK FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V157000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE NEEDED TO HAVE THE NIPPLE ON TOP OF THE TANK REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ID
10436204
Incident
Apr 1, 2008
Mileage
85,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 27, 2011
HEADLAMPS GRADUALLY DEVELOPED A MISTING OR FOGGING OF LENS WHICH REDUCED LIGHT DURING NIGHT DRIVING, REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL CLEANING WITH SPECIAL MATERIALS TO RESTORE LIGHT OUTPUT. PROBLEM STARTED RECURRING MORE FREQUENTLY AND HEADLAMPS NOW REQUIRE PROFESSSIONAL RESTORATION EVERY 3 - 6 MONTHS, THE MISTING OF THE LENSES CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FAIL THE MANDATORY VERMONT SAFETY INSPECTION IN 2010. CLEANING COSTS ARE CONSIDERABLE, AND AUDI DOES NOT MAKE NEW HEADLAMP LENSES OR HEADLAMP SHELLS AVAILABLE, ONLY COMPLETE HEADLAMP UNITS ARE AVAILABLE AT COST APPROACHING $ 2000 FOR THE PAIR. THE MISTING OVER OF THE LENSES WITH A DEPOSIT THAT CANNOT BE REMOVED BY ANY NORMAL MEANS CREATES HAZARDOUS NIGHT-TIME DRIVING CONDITIONS PARTICULARLY DURING RAIN OR SNOW. *TT
NHTSA ID
10427603
Incident
Sep 1, 2007
Mileage
95,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Sep 12, 2011
ABS/ESP LIGHT WOULD COME ON AFTER DRIVING FOR 60 MINUTES OR MORE, USUALLY WENT OFF IF VEHICLE RESTARTED, THIS BECAME MORE FREQUENT OVER COURSE OF 10 MONTHS UNTIL LIGHT STAYED ON ALL THE TIME, WHEEL SENSORS HAD TO BE CHANGED AT SIGNIFICANT COST TO FIX PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ID
10425078
Incident
Sep 1, 2010
Mileage
119,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 28, 2011
THE ABS MODULE IN AUDI'S 1998-2001 IS A COMMON PROBLEM. ONE DAY IT WAS FINE AND THE NEXT THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH AND WENT AWAY AFTER SOME DRIVING. *TT AT FIRST THE ABS LIGHT WOULD COME AND GO. BUT AS A WEEK PASSED FROM THE 1ST DAY OF THE INDECENT IT STARTED TO APPEAR MORE OFTEN AND LONGER. AFTER 2 WEEKS THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT STAYED ON.
NHTSA ID
10422331
Incident
Aug 3, 2011
Mileage
69,000 mi
Filed Jul 3, 2011
Crash reported
DRIVING BELOW RECOMMENDED SPEED LIMIT AROUND CORNER (POSTED 25MPH, GOING BETWEEN 10MPH AND 15MPH). LIGHT RAIN, CAR SLID AND BRAKES LOCKED UP CAUSING ME TO HIT A CURB AND DAMAGE MY VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10410332
Incident
Jul 3, 2011
Mileage
115,419 mi
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
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