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Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (7)
Fuel system, other: storage, tank assembly
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 and remedy
Risk: A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.
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.
Fuel system, gasoline: storage, tank assembly
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 68,240 MY 2001-2004 AUDI A6 QUATTRO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.7L, 2.8L, OR 3.0L ENGINES AND MY 2001-2005 ALLROAD QUATTRO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.7L OR 4.2L ENGINES. 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 and remedy
Risk: A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE NIPPLE ON THE ROLLOVER VALVE TO PREVENT LEAKAGE OR REPAIR THE CRACKING AT THE NIPPLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 27, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, fuel pump
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.8L TURBO, 2.8L V6, OR 3.0L ENGINES, A CHANGE IN THE ELECTRICAL MOTOR COMPONENTS IN THE FUEL PUMP CAN LEAD TO AN INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP AND, ULTIMATELY, STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO STALL.
Risk and remedy
Risk: IF FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE IS INTERRUPTED, THE VEHICLE COULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND THUS PRESENT A POTENTIAL RISK OF CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 28, 20007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-222-8987 OR AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834. THIS RECALL IS A SUPPLEMENT TO A PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN (PLEASE SEE 06V017).
Electrical system
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 and remedy
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING OR FIRE.
Remedy: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, fuel pump
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM SEPTEMBER 2002 - MARCH 2003, EQUIPPED WITH 1.8L TURBO, 2.8L V6, OR 3.0L ENGINES, A CHANGE IN THE ELECTRICAL MOTOR COMPONENTS IN THE FUEL PUMP CAN LEAD TO AN INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP AND, ULTIMATELY, STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO STALL.
Risk and remedy
Risk: IF FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE IS INTERRUPTED, THE VEHICLE COULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND THUS PRESENT A POTENTIAL RISK OF CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-222-8987 OR AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
Electrical system
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 and remedy
Risk: A FIRE COULD ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT DASHBOARD AREA.
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.
Air bags: frontal
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3-SPOKE SPORT STEERING WHEELS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE IGNITER FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ASSEMBLED.
Risk and remedy
Risk: AN IMPROPERLY POSITIONED IGNITER WILL NOT ACTIVATE THE AIR BAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAGS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 18, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
Canadian recalls (4)
Show 4 Canadian recalls
Fuel system
2011-04-27 · campaign 2011-171 · 499 vehicles
On certain vehicles, aging of the plastic material in the fuel tank rollover valve, combined with bending stress from the aluminium ventilation line to the rollover valve nipple, may lead to cracking of the nipple. If this happens, a fuel leak may result. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a vehicle fire. Correction: Dealers will reinforce the rollover valve nipple.
Fuel system
2008-04-04 · campaign 2008-116
On certain Audi A6 Quattro and Allroad Quattro, aging of the plastic material in the fuel tank rollover valve, combined with bending stress from the aluminium ventilation line to the rollover valve nipple, may lead to cracking of the nipple. If this happens, a fuel leak may result. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a vehicle fire. Correction: Dealers will reinforce the rollover valve nipple.
Fuel system
2006-01-19 · campaign 2006-015
On certain Audi A6, A4 Quattro, and Volkswagen Passat vehicles, premature fuel pump wear can lead to pump failure. A failed fuel pump may cause stoppage of fuel supply to the engine, creating an engine stall condition. Should the engine stall while the vehicle is in use, a possible vehicle crash could occur. Correction: Dealers will replace the fuel pump.
Electrical
2004-03-16 · campaign 2004-095
On certain Audi S6, A6 and A6 Allroad Quattro, contact between the left driver's side crash element and the headlight switch wiring harness could eventually result in an electrical short. Even though such an electrical short is not very likely, it could result, in a worst-case scenario, in a fire originating in the left dashboard area. Correction: Dealer will install a protective covering on the crash element and inspect the wiring harness for damage.
Owner complaints (66)
Owners filed 66 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Audi A6 (1 crashes, 5 fires, 1 injuries reported). Among 33 model years of this model, it ranks #10 for the most complaints (median 35).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Fuel system, gasoline | 16 | |
| Electrical system | 14 | |
| Power train | 10 | |
| Tires | 6 | |
| Visibility | 3 | |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | |
| Service brakes, electric | 3 | |
| Engine | 3 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Audi A6.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2003 Audi A6 4-DR. w/SAB | – | – | – | – |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2003 Audi A6 version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| A6 3.0 L Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,900 |
| A6 Avant quattro 3.0 L Automatic (S5) | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,350 |
| A6 quattro 2.7 L Manual 6-spd | 16 | 23 | 19 | $4,350 |
| A6 quattro 2.7 L Automatic (S5) | 16 | 23 | 19 | $4,350 |
| A6 quattro 3.0 L Automatic (S5) | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,350 |
| A6 quattro 4.2 L Automatic (S5) | 15 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.