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2001 Audi A6Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 113 owner complaints about the 2001 Audi A6, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 7 safety recalls.

32
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.2× the A6 median · #3 of 27 years by complaints
Safety recalls7Free fix at dealersOwner complaints11328 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage68kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 8, 2023. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 Audi A6 has problems

113 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling183
Air bags1510
Power train140
Electrical system145
Service brakes, hydraulic120
Tires111
Fuel system, gasoline110
Exterior lighting63
Fuel/propulsion system50
15 other systems344

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

7 recalls

2001 Audi A6 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Show 3 more recalls
–no report yet

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Recall 01V-202 · Jun 18, 2001 · 2,837 vehicles

Risk. IF THAT HAPPENS, THE WIPER BLADES, BECAUSE THEY OVERLAP WIPING AREAS, COULD BECOME ENTANGLED WITH EACH OTHER AND CEASE FUNCTIONING.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Storage: tank assembly

Recall 01V-157 · May 3, 2001 · 70,000 vehicles

Risk. RUNNING OUT OF FUEL WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATES THAT THERE IS SUFFICIENT FUEL IN THE TANK LEAD TO SAFETY PROBLEMS.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Audi.

Best & worst years

2001 vs. every other A6 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the A6 median. How we score

'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2001 Audi A6, and the recalls they led to.

  1. BRAKE AND CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKETPE02008 · closed Jul 12, 2002
    No recall
  2. FUEL TANK LEAKPE08008 · closed May 30, 2008
    Led to recall 08V-156
In owners' words

What A6 owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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
Complaint 10445388 · Jan 24, 2012 · 132,200 miles
AUDI A6 QUATTP WITH TWIN TURBO, OIL PUMP FAILURE DUE TO "COKING" FROM TURBOS. EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL ON THE 1.8 TURBO ENGINE. I FEEL THAT MY ENGINE SHOULD BE INCLUDED EVEN THOUGH IT IS A 2.7 LITRE ENGINE. *TR
Complaint 10374844 · Jan 5, 2011 · 117,000 miles
HUGE OIL LEAK ON MY 2001 AUDI A6 4.2 CAUSED BY THE PCV VALVE FREEZING CLOSED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY CAR 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS. THIS ONLY HAPPENS DURING EXTREME COLD WEATHER, COLDER THAT -10 DEG F. NO INDICATION OF THE FREEZE PROBLEM UNTIL THE CAR SLOWS TO BELOW HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND YOU CAN…
Complaint 10260167 · Feb 26, 2009 · 78,000 miles

Own a 2001 A6?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.