RoadVitals

2002 Audi S6

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
7
Latest Jun 24, 2021
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest May 3, 2011
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Audi S6, most frequently naming the fuel system, driver assistance and powertrain (other) categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 80 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system337.5%
  • Driver assistance225.0%
  • Powertrain (other)112.5%
  • Tires & wheels112.5%
  • Transmission112.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
11V267000

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

May 3, 2011
5,992 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 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.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INCManufacturer number 20L8/JYView on NHTSA.gov
04V133000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Mar 18, 2004
172,866 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 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.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Fuel system
Filed Jun 24, 2021

Fuel is leaking from the top of the driver side of fuel tank. Appears to be near to rollover nipple that was previously recalled in 2010. Result: accumulation of fuel near exhaust - fire hazard.

NHTSA ID
11422178
Incident
Jun 14, 2021
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 6, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI S6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED IN COLD TEMPERATURES, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

NHTSA ID
10692422
Incident
Dec 15, 2004
Mileage
12,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 23, 2010

ON 10 AUG 2010 MY 2002 AUDI S6 AVANT FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE HOSE NIPPLE BEGAN LEAKING FUEL VAPORS AND LIQUID. THE LEAK WHICH IS CAUSED BY THE SAME MATERIAL FAILURE NOTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 08V157000 AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK BECAUSE OF FUEL AND FUEL VAPOR EXPOSURE TO HOT EXHAUST AND OTHER POSSIBLE IGNITION SOURCES. IN THIS CASE THE PLASTIC HOSE NIPPLE CRACKED WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF IMPACT, DAMAGE OR THE PRESENCE OF HARSH CONDITIONS. THE VALVE IS LOCATED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE TANK A FEW INCHES FROM THE FUEL SENDER ACCESS HOLE UNDER THE REAR SEAT. THE P/N FOR THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK FOR THE A6 AND ALLROADS AFFECTED BY 08V157000 IS [XXX] BL. THE P/N FOR THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK IN THE S6 AND A6S W/ 4.2 V8S *NOT YET RECALLED* IS [XXX]. THE DESIGN OF THE TANKS IS NEARLY IDENTICAL, BUT THE 075 BL IS THREE GALLONS SMALLER. WHILE THE FUEL TANK P/NS ARE DIFFERENT THE PLASTIC ROLLOVER VALVE WHICH IS BONDED TO THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY IS COMMON TO BOTH P/NS AND IS UNAVAILABLE AS A REPLACEABLE COMPONENT. ALTHOUGH THE FUEL LINE ATTACHED TO THE VALVE IS OF A DIFFERENT MATERIAL, SIMILAR FORCES ACT UPON THE HOSE NIPPLE LEADING TO THE CRACKING ON THE 4.2S LARGER YET OTHERWISE SIMILAR TANK. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK ON MY VEHICLE IS STILL INSTALLED AND THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE DUE TO THE SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. AN INSPECTION THROUGH THE FUEL SENDER ACCESS PANEL UNDER THE REAR SEAT REVEALED THAT THE PLASTIC ROLLOVER VALVE WAS THE SOURCE OF THE FUEL LEAK STREAMING DOWN THE TANK BESIDE THE EXHAUST AND POOLING BELOW CAR. NOTE: I PERSONALLY KNOW OF AT LEAST ONE OTHER INSTANCE WHERE A 2002 A6 W/ 4.2 V8 BEGAN LEAKING FUEL FROM THE SAME ROLLOVER VALVE HOSE NIPPLE AND THESE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.2 HAVE NOT YET BEEN IDENTIFIED BY A NHTSA CAMPAIGN OR MANUFACTURER RECALL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10351332
Incident
Aug 10, 2010
Mileage
110,342 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 26, 2009

FUEL LEAKING FROM THE GAS STORAGE UNIT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10289861
Incident
Oct 20, 2009
Mileage
59,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 2, 2004

DANGEROUS RANDOM LOSS OF THROTTLE RESPONSIVENESS; ERRATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT FUNCTION . *AK

NHTSA ID
10051516
Incident
May 1, 2003
Mileage
1,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Mar 10, 2003

VEHICLE EXHIBITS LOSS OF THROTTLE RESPONSE AND POWER IF ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.*JB

NHTSA ID
10010220
Incident
Oct 11, 2002
Mileage
125 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 30, 2002

TIRE EXPLODED (AT FREEWAY SPEED) AND DISINTEGRATED CAUSING ME TO BE IMMEDIATELY DRIVING ON THE WHEEL (DAMAGING THE WHEEL) UNTIL I COULD GET OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND STOP.*AK

NHTSA ID
766447
Incident
Aug 16, 2002

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

A0023742052680_4

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This bulletin provides information on the additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries.

A0021482021205_6

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; STRUCTURE

This informational bulletin explains how to order replacement VIN plates, Safety Certification Labels, etc.

A0020362002047_1

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

This information bulletin contains instructions for technicans on how to ensure their TAC call goes smoothly.

A0019252011732_1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

00 Software Version Management (SVM), operating instructions

A941791 2012749-

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

This informational bulletin contains technical information for when there is condensation visible on the inside of the headlight, taillight, fog light, side marker light, front turn signal, daytime running lights, and/or third brake light lens.

SM 44-2017 EN

EQUIPMENT

This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Audi S6 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2025210—
2024010—
2023010—
2022440—
20210100—
2020260—
2019000—
2018410—
2017520—
2016192255.3
2015522—
2014203256.3
2013423254.3
2012000—
2011020—
2010120—
2009030—
2008220—
2007120—
2006000—
2005000—
2004010—
2003220—
2002Viewing720—
2001110—
2000011—
1999011—
1998111—
1997100—
1996110—
1995202152.6
1994021—
1993010—
1992010—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.