NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Audi A6 Recalls & Complaints

The 2002 Audi A6 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 88 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Audi dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 Audi A6. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2002 Audi A6 owner complaints

Owners have filed 88 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Audi A6, describing incidents dated January 2, 2002 to February 11, 2021.

Most-cited components

Engine 20 complaints
Electrical System 15 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 15 complaints
Service Brakes 11 complaints
Power Train 10 complaints
Air Bags 7 complaints

Of the 88 complaints on file, 6 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 88 complaints, owners report 11 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11420657 · Filed June 12, 2021
WHEN I FIRST GOT THE VEHICLE IT WOULD START WITH NO ISSUES AND NOW IT WONT START AN I CANT FIGURE OUT WHY AND NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE REASON I CANT THINK OF WHAT ELSE IT COULD BE IT ACTS LIKE ITS NOT GETTING ANY FUEL OR SOMETHING TO GET STARTED.
ODI #11405964 · Filed April 1, 2021
ON FEBRUARY 11, 2021, MR. TRAVIS WAS TRAVELING ON I-70 IN VANDALIA ILLINOIS WHEN HE WAS REAR ENDED AT HIGH SPEEDS BY MR. FREE. MR. TRAVIS' 2002 AUDI A6 SUSTAINED SERIOUS DAMAGE BUT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MR. TRAVIS SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH.
ODI #11354327 · Filed September 10, 2020
THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SHORTING OUT AND CRACKING AND BARE WIRES TOUCHING

Read all 88 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2002 Audi A6 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE08-008: FUEL TANK LEAK
Closed May 30, 2008
- Recall 08V-156
- Recall 08V-157

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE

NHTSA #11V267000 · Fuel System, Other — Storage — Tank Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported May 3, 2011 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Potentially affected: 5,992 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 20L8/JY · Owners notified June 21, 2011 · Vehicles built May 13, 2003 – March 9, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

VOLKSWAGEN SAFETY RECALL NO. 20L8/JY.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE

NHTSA #08V157000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported April 8, 2008 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Potentially affected: 68,240 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 20L8/JY · Owners notified June 27, 2008 · Vehicles built June 2, 2001 – June 1, 2005 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

VW RECALL NO. 20L8/JY.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

CROSSMEMBER COVER/DRIVERS SIDE DASH FIRE

NHTSA #06V198000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice

Reported June 5, 2006 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Potentially affected: 70,512 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign JN · Owners notified December 16, 2006 · Vehicles built August 1, 1997 – June 30, 2005 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING OR FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

VOLKSWAGEN (AUDI) RECALL NO. JN.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

VW/DRIVERS SIDE DASH FIRE

NHTSA #04V133000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice

Reported March 18, 2004 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Potentially affected: 172,866 vehicles

Owners notified July 26, 2004 · Vehicles built August 14, 1997 – February 12, 2004 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A FIRE COULD ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT DASHBOARD AREA.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2002 Audi A6 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

1 investigation

88 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Audi A6.

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11420657

Incident: October 4, 2020 · Filed: June 12, 2021

WHEN I FIRST GOT THE VEHICLE IT WOULD START WITH NO ISSUES AND NOW IT WONT START AN I CANT FIGURE OUT WHY AND NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE REASON I CANT THINK OF WHAT ELSE IT COULD BE IT ACTS LIKE ITS NOT GETTING ANY FUEL OR SOMETHING TO GET STARTED.

Air Bags

ODI #11405964

Crash 3 injuries1 death

Incident: February 11, 2021 · Filed: April 1, 2021

ON FEBRUARY 11, 2021, MR. TRAVIS WAS TRAVELING ON I-70 IN VANDALIA ILLINOIS WHEN HE WAS REAR ENDED AT HIGH SPEEDS BY MR. FREE. MR. TRAVIS' 2002 AUDI A6 SUSTAINED SERIOUS DAMAGE BUT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MR. TRAVIS SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH.

Electrical System

ODI #11354327

Incident: September 1, 2020 · Filed: September 10, 2020

THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SHORTING OUT AND CRACKING AND BARE WIRES TOUCHING

Unknown or Other; Engine

ODI #11325248

Incident: May 4, 2020 · Filed: May 20, 2020

I PARKED MY CAR TO DETAIL IT AND AFTER I WENT TO DRIVE TO THE STORE AND MY CAR WASN'T REACHING ABOVE 4000 RPMS AND WOULDN'T GO OVER 60 MPH ...ITS ACTING LIKE THERE IS A REV LIMITER AND THROW 2 NEW CODES...NEVER GOT ENGINE BAY WET JUS OUTER BODY OF VEHICLE ...DIAGNOSTIC CODES ARE P0322 AND P0421 I BELIEVE ONE IS FOR THE ENGINE IGNITION DISTRIBUTOR NO SIGNAL AND ALSO CATALYTIC SYSTEM BELOW THRESHOLD BANK 1 .....AFTER I PARKED CAR AGAIN I TRIED TO START AND NOTHING HAPPENED ....I'VE BOUT NEW C.O.P'S ....AND STILL NOTHING I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND ALSO NOTICE THAT THE FUEL FILLER JUST INSIDE THE PORT WAS ALL CRACKED AND WHEN I FILLED WITH FUEL ITS LEAKED ALOT OF MY GAS ...THE *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11298091

Incident: December 28, 2019 · Filed: January 9, 2020

FILLED GAS TANK AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM TOP OF THE TANK TO THE GROUND NEAR THE INSIDE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE REAL WHEEL. FUEL STOPS LEAKING AFTER IT DROPS BELOW 3/4 FULL. TOOK THE CAR TO THE AUDI DEALERSHIP THINKING IT WAS FAILURE OF THE ROLLOVER/FILLER NECK VALVE RECALL AGAIN (NHTSA RECALL #08V157000). AUDI SAID THE FILLER NECK WAS DRY, BUT THERE IS A LEAK SOMEWHERE ON TOP OF FUEL TANK ON THE SAME SIDE AS THE FILLER NECK. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT SEE WHERE THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM WITHOUT DROPPING THE FUEL TANK FROM THE CAR. AUDI QUOTED THE REPAIR FOR COMPLETELY REPLACING THE FUEL TANK AT ~$3400. A FUEL TANK SHOULD NEVER LEAK, AND THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY CONCERN, NOT ONLY FOR THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS OF THE CAR, BUT ALL OTHERS ON THE ROAD. THIS IS ALSO A FAILURE OF AN EMISSIONS COMPONENT THAT AUDI NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SINCE THERE IS RAW FUEL LEAKING ALL OVER THE ROAD.

Electrical System

ODI #11076530

Fire

Incident: November 24, 2017 · Filed: March 6, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 AUDI A6. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THERE WAS AN ODOR OF SMOKE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED SMOKE COMING THROUGH THE VENTS ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING FACILITY. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10537099

Incident: August 24, 2013 · Filed: August 24, 2013

I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 65 MPH. I WENT TO PASS ANOTHER CAR IN A PASSING ZONE SO I ACCELERATED FULL THROTTLE. THE GAS PEDAL STUCK AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I BRAKED AND MANEUVERED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED IT OFF. AFTER A WHILE IT RELEASED. I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND CONTINUED HOME, NOT PUSHING THE PEDAL DOWN ANY FARTHER THAN NECESSARY. I WILL TAKE IT IN TO BE FIXED. THERE WAS NOTHING OBSCURING THE PEDAL AND THE FLOOR MAT WAS CLICKED INTO PLACE. I FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF A RECALL, BUT MANY AUDI OWNERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR EXPERIENCES, SO I AM NOT SURE WHY THIS ISN'T A RECALL ISSUE. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10531869

Incident: July 6, 2009 · Filed: July 25, 2013

FUEL VAPORS AND LEAKING FUEL APPEARS WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FILLED BEYOND 3/4 TANK. THIS IS UNSAFE FOR THE CAR TO BE PARKED INSIDE OF THE GARAGE. THE FUMES MAKE PASSENGERS FEEL ILL. AUDI SERVICE DEPARTMENTS WANT TO CHARGE OVER $2500 TO REPAIR. A RECALL FOR THE ROLLOVER VALVE HAS BEEN PERFORMED; HOWEVER THE AUDI SERVICE TECHS SAY THE LEAKAGE IS COMING FROM SMALL CRACKS IN THE DEFECTIVE TANK. UNABLE TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE BECAUSE OF COSTS I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR WITH LESS THAN1/2 TANK OF FUEL FOR SEVERAL YEARS . THE STATE OF UTAH WILL NO LONGER PASS MY VEHICLE INSPECTION DUE TO THE EMISSIONS ISSUE. MY FEAR IS THE LEAKING FUEL COULD BE IGNITED BY ANY NUMBER OF SOURCES INCLUDING EXHAUST/HEAT FROM THE VEHICLE. PASSENGERS SHOULD NEVER HAVE TO BE SUBJECT TO VAPORS INSIDE OF A VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN TO 3 DIFFERENT UTAH AUDI DEALERSHIPS AND 1 INDEPENDENT AUDI REPAIR GARAGE. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED AUDI CUSTOMER RELATIONS @ 1-800-253-2834. ALL OF THE AUDI REPRESENTATIVES AND TECHNICIANS HAVE PLAYED DUMB REGARDING THIS ISSUE; YET THE ISSUE CAN BE FOUND IN A NUMBER OF FORUMS WHERE OTHERS HAVE DEALT WITH THE SAME ISSUE. AUDI REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY OR EVEN SHOW REAL CONCERN FOR THIS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE. *TR

Power Train

ODI #10510423

Incident: March 28, 2013 · Filed: May 2, 2013

TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. FOURTH TIME IN 3 YEARS. EACH TIME THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. AUDI REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FAILURE OF THE CVT TRANSMISSION ON THAT MODEL. IT IS A DANGER TO PUBLIC SAFETY. *TR

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10499473

Incident: November 3, 2012 · Filed: February 20, 2013

I RECENTLY BOUGHT MY AUDI AND THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER IT DROVE JUST FINE, BUT ONCE WINTER CAME AROUND AND THE TEMPERATURES DROPPED, I NOTICED THE SMELL OF GAS IN MY CAR AS SOON AS IT WAS STARTED. I OPENED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS GAS SPRAYING FROM WHAT LOOKED LIKE ALL SIX FUEL INJECTORS. SO I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC, WHERE THEY REPLACED NUMEROUS THINGS (FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, O RINGS, VALVE SYSTEM, AND ALL 6 FUEL INJECTORS) ALL TO NO AVAIL. NOBODY CAN TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG, NOBODY KNOWS. I CALLED AUDI AND THEY TOLD ME I COULD TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP BUT THAT THEY COULDN'T PROMISE THEY CAN FIX THE CAR. I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR, IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE LOOKED ON MANY FORUMS AND THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NOBODY CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG. IS THERE A RECALL, OR ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN GIVE AS TO HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM?? *TR

Other Audi A6 model years

Check your 2002 Audi A6 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Audi A6 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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