Model year record

2000 Audi A6 recalls & problems

The 2000 Audi A6 has 4 safety recalls and 148 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (37 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints148filed by owners

Crashes · fires4 · 8reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths6 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Air bagsJan 31, 2020

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 20V056000106,857 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 TT Roadster, 2000 TT Coupe, 1999 Audi A8, 1998-2000 Audi A6, and 1999-2000 Audi A4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) that do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, possibly causing the air bag to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag may not properly protect the occupant, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator when the parts become available, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed September 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69BT.

Electrical systemJun 5, 2006

Electrical system

Recall 06V19800070,512 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

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.

Electrical systemMar 18, 2004

Electrical system

Recall 04V133000172,866 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

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.

Fuel system, gasolineMay 3, 2001

Storage › Tank assembly

Recall 01V15700070,000 vehicles

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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

A6

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

A6 quattro

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

A6 quattro

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.7 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

A6 quattro

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

A6 quattro

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.8 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

A6 quattro

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

4.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

A6 Avant quattro

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel; Wiring › Interior/under dash	37	0	8	1	77,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	26	1	0	2	71,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system	22	0	0	0	61,000 mi
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Delivery	15	0	0	0	115,000 mi
TiresSidewall	15	0	0	0	49,000 mi
SuspensionFront; Front › Control arm	13	0	0	0	50,000 mi
SteeringLinkages › Tie rod assembly; Steering wheel/handle bar	11	0	0	0	49,500 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline › Differential unit	10	0	0	0	52,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module	8	2	0	3	80,000 mi
Unknown or other	6	1	0	1	—
Fuel/propulsion system	6	0	0	0	135,222 mi
Vehicle speed controlCruise control; Accelerator pedal	5	0	0	0	76,962 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Fuel/propulsion system
Gas is pouring out from the top of the gas tank
May 19, 2022
Fuel/propulsion system
EACH TIME I FILL THE GAS TANK THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF LEAKING GAS. NOT CLEARLY IDENTIFIED THE SOURCE BUT FEEL THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK.
Jul 17, 2017 · 135,222 miles
Electrical systemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT NOTICED STRONG FUMES ENTERING THE VENTS, WHICH AFFECTED THE CONTACT'S BREATHING. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO USE THE HEATER OR AIR CONDITIONER. A WEEK LATER, WHILE DRIVING, A FIRE ERUPTED NEAR THE DASHBOARD AND SMOKE CONSUMED THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND A FIRE INSPECTOR EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V198000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A NOTIFICATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND PARKED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Jun 10, 2016
Fuel/propulsion system
THE FIRST TIME THIS CAR HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH ANYTHING LEAKING WAS A COUPLE DAYS AGO WHEN WE WOKE UP IN MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TO HOUSE AND GARAGE SMELLING LIKE GAS. ON DRIVER'S SIDE REAR BY PASSENGER DOOR THERE WAS A SMALL LEAK LOOKED LIKE OIL BUT SMELLED OF GAS AND UNDERNEATH CAR YOU CAN SEE WEAR A SMALL CRACK IS AT IN FUEL SYSTEM. I SEE MANY RECALLS FOR SAME THING FOR DIFFERENT YEARS AND COMPLAINTS FILED FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM AND YEAR. NO RECALL NOTICES WAS EVER RECEIVED BY MYSELF OR PREVIOUS TWO OWNERS WHO WAS FRIENDS OR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED. I AM UPSET BECAUSE NOW IT WON'T BE FIXED UNDER RECALL BECAUSE IT'S BEEN SO LONG HOWEVER THERE WAS NO CLOSE DATE ON REPORTS IT SHOWS SEVERAL…
Mar 29, 2016 · 125,549 miles
Electrical system
FIRST THE CAR RAN HOT NO TEMP HAVE CAME ON HAD TO REPLACE MOTOR .....THE COOLING FAN BROKE MADE OF PLASTIC AND CUT MY SERPENTINE BELT INTO ......THEN THE CAR FLOODED AND RUINED THE COMFORT CONTROL MODULE HAD TO REPLACE THIS NOW THE FRONT AXEL IS BROKE AND THE BOOTS FELL APART AND THE BALL JOINTS ARE NO GOOD......
Jul 1, 2015
Fuel system, gasoline
HELLO! TODAY I WAS AT THE SAMS CLUB GAS STATION TO FILL UP MY VEHICLE, 2000 AUDI A6 WITH THE 4.2 ENGINE. WHEN I FINISHED, I WENT OVER TO THE DRIVER SIDE, WHERE IVE SEEN A HUGE AMOUNT OF GAS ON THE GROUND. THE FUEL WAS LEAKING REALLY BAD FROM MY CAR. THE SAM'S CLUB EVEN CALLED THE FIRED DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE THERE TOO. IT LEAKED OUT A LOT COUPLE GALLONS FROM MY VEHICLE. THANKS GOD THE GAS STATION HAD A SMALL INCLINE SO I COULD NOTICE IT RIGHT BEFORE I WOULD DRIVE AWAY. JUST THINKING THAT I WOULD DRIVE AWAY AND SOMETHING SERIOUS WOULD HAPPEN IT SCARES ME. AS I UNDERSTAND A LOT OF AUDIS ARE RECALLED BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. MINE IS NOT UNDER THE RECALL. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET MINE UNDER THE…
Jan 7, 2015 · 141,590 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
AFTER FILLING GAS TANK, GAS BEGAN LEAKING AS A STEADY STREAM FROM LEFT FRONT SIDE OF GAS TANK, NEAR THE REAR DRIVER'S WHEEL WELL. OWNER CONTACTED AUDI DEALERSHIP AND AUDI OF AMERICA. OWNER PAID FOR DEALER INSPECTION TO DIAGNOSE LEAKING GAS ISSUE. DEALER STATED THE TANK WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AUDI OF AMERICA CONTACTED OWNER ON 3/20/2014 AND STATED THE SERVICE MANAGER OF AUDI OF ANN ARBOR, MI HAD DECIDED THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR DUE TO VEHICLE "MILEAGE AND AGE." AUDI OF AMERICA STATED SINCE VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE OF RECALL RANGE (2001-2005 MY), THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH REPAIRS. INDEPENDENT OWNER RESEARCH SHOWS MULTIPLE LEAKING GAS TANK ISSUES (BROKEN ROLLOVER VALVE…
Mar 17, 2014 · 135,400 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
FIRST INCIDENT MARCH 2006 LEAKY GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED, COST TO US $2,249.27, AUDI DENIED RESPONSIBILITY. REQUESTED AUDI TO REPORT THIS ISSUE TO AUTHORITIES. SECOND INCIDENT, 7/30/13 (MILEAGE 163,016): VERY STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. THE MECHANIC REMOVED REAR SEAT AND FOUND FUEL STAINING ALL AROUND THE SENDING UNIT. FUEL TANK MUST AGAIN BE REPLACED. THIS WILL BE OUR THIRD TANK COUNTING THE ORIGINAL ONE INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. IN 2008 AUDI ISSUED SAFETY RECALL CIRCULAR CODE: 2OL8/JY REVISED IN JANUARY 2009. MY FIRST FUEL TANK FAILURE OCCURRED 2 YEARS BEFORE THE RECALL. THE AUDI RECALL COVERS MODEL YEARS 2001 THROUGH 2005. MY CAR IS 2000 WITH THE SAME DEFECT AS IN LATER MODELS. 2000 MODEL…
Mar 1, 2006 · 78,025 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

DRIVER'S SIDE DASH FIREClosedLed to recall 06V198000
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC. (VOA) CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 04V133) TO ADD A PLASTIC COVER TO THE TOP SECTION OF THE KNEE BOLSTER CROSSMEMBER TO PREVENT CONTACT WITH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WIRING HARNESS.THE SCOPE OF THE ORIGINAL RECALL COVERED MODEL YEARS 1998 THROUGH 2004 WITH VEHICLE PRODUCTION DATES OF AUGUST 1997 THROUGH DECEMBER 2004.THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION HAS RECEIVED NINE COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT AFTER HAVING THE RECALL REMEDY PERFORMED, A FIRE STARTED IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DASHBOARD AREA.VOA REPORTS THAT IF THE PLASTIC COVER IS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY BY THE DEALERS, THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WIRING HARNESS COULD CONTINUE TO CONTACT THE CROSSMEMBER, RESULTING IN A SHORT AND/OR FIRE IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DASHBOARD AREA.VOA WILL CONDUCT A NEW SAFETY RECALL TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL (AND LARGER) COVER OVER BOTH THE KNEE BOLSTER CROSSMEMBER AND THE PLASTIC COVER…
RQ06003 · opened Feb 27, 2006 · closed Jul 20, 2006
DRIVERS SIDE DASH FIREClosedLed to recall 04V133000
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A KNEE BOLSTER LOCATED UNDER THE DASH, NEAR THE DRIVERS KNEES.A WIRING HARNESS IS ALSO LOCATED IN THE DASH, IN THAT SAME AREA.AUDI'S ANALYSIS OF 39 VEHICLES INDICATED THAT THE KNEE BOLSTER WAS RUBBING AGAINST THAT WIRING HARNESS.OVER TIME THE HARNESS SHEATHING WEARS AWAY AND THE WIRES COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE METAL KNEE BOLSTER, RESULTING IN A FIRE. AUDI WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON AN EXPANDED SCOPE OF AUDI A6 VEHICLES, TO ADD A PLASTIC CAP TO THE TOP OF THE KNEE BOLSTER BRACKET, WHICH WILL PREVENT ABRASION TO THE WIRING HARNESS. AUDI WILL RECALL 186,000 MY 1998-2004 AUDI A6 VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 24 WARRANTY, FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS FOR THESE VEHICLES.THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA NUMBER 04V-133.
EA03025 · opened Nov 25, 2003 · closed May 7, 2004
DRIVERS SIDE DASHBOARD FIREClosed
OF THE 22 TOTAL COMPLAINTS, 11 WERE RECEIVED FOR THE 1999 MODEL YEAR AND 11 FOR THE 2000 MODEL YEAR. AUDI IS CONDUCTING TESTING TO DETERMINE THE ORIGIN AND CAUSE OF THE FIRE.
PE03035 · opened Jul 25, 2003 · closed Nov 25, 2003
BRAKE AND CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKETClosed
PE02008 · opened Jan 23, 2002 · closed Jul 12, 2002