The 2002 Audi S6 has 2 safety recalls and 7 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is fuel system, gasoline (3 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints7filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Fuel system, other › Storage › Tank assembly
NHTSA recall 11V267000 · May 3, 2011 · 5,992 vehicles
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.
Electrical system
NHTSA recall 04V133000 · Mar 18, 2004 · 172,866 vehicles · opened 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.
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
S6 Avant
15mpg combined
City / highway
12 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,500/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*
Fuel system, gasoline Storage › Tank assembly
3
0
0
0
110,342 mi
Power train Automatic transmission
2
0
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control
2
0
0
0
—
Tires
1
0
0
0
—
Fuel/propulsion system
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jun 14, 2021Fuel/propulsion system 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.
Dec 15, 2004 · 12,000 milesPower train 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.
Aug 10, 2010 · 110,342 milesFuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly 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…
Oct 20, 2009 · 59,000 milesFuel system, gasoline FUEL LEAKING FROM THE GAS STORAGE UNIT. *TR
May 1, 2003 · 1,000 milesVehicle speed control DANGEROUS RANDOM LOSS OF THROTTLE RESPONSIVENESS; ERRATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT FUNCTION . *AK
Oct 11, 2002 · 125 milesPower train › Automatic transmission VEHICLE EXHIBITS LOSS OF THROTTLE RESPONSE AND POWER IF ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.*JB
Aug 16, 2002Tires 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
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.