NHTSA vehicle safety data

2004 Audi A6 Recalls & Complaints

The 2004 Audi A6 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 35 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 2004 Audi A6. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

2004 Audi A6 owner complaints

Owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Audi A6, describing incidents dated March 20, 2004 to October 31, 2023.

Most-cited components

Fuel/Propulsion System 9 complaints
Engine 4 complaints
Service Brakes 4 complaints
Air Bags 3 complaints
Electrical System 3 complaints
Seats 3 complaints

Of the 35 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 2 a fire; across all 35 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11559710 · Filed December 12, 2023
- ABS Module has intermittent failures, available for inspection - Anti-lock brakes will not work - Yes, the problem reoccurs and the module loses power and then errors out - Others - VCDS - ABS lights come on and BRAKE light stays illuminated
ODI #11157093 · Filed December 9, 2018
RE: SAFETY RECALL 20L8/JY; 08V157000: FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE MODIFICATION; VIN: (XX); 2004 AUDI A6 3.0L QUATTRO AT5 ATTACHED DOCS: 1. 20L8/JY RECALL NOTICE. 2. 7.14.2008 & 11.18.18 AUDI N. SCOTTSDALE, AZ DEALER INVOICES 3. AUDI A6 GAS TANK DIAGRAM. AUDI CORP EMAIL RESPONSE: "AT THIS TIME WE HAVE…
ODI #11010494 · Filed July 25, 2017
AFTERMARKET RADIO: PIONEER ELECTRONICS AVH-4100 NEX BACKUP CAMERA FAILS AND DISTRACTS DRIVER SIGNIFICANTLY. I HAVE ATTACHED A SCAN OF THE COMPLAINT TO PIONEER ELECTRONICS. THE RADIO LIKELY HAS SOFTWARE DEFECT THAT CAUSES VERY DISTRACTING FAILURES WHEN OPERATING THE BACK-UP CAMERA. PIONEER ADVERTISES…

Read all 35 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2004 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).

2004 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

35 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Audi A6.

Service Brakes; Forward Collision Avoidance

ODI #11559710

Incident: October 31, 2023 · Filed: December 12, 2023

- ABS Module has intermittent failures, available for inspection - Anti-lock brakes will not work - Yes, the problem reoccurs and the module loses power and then errors out - Others - VCDS - ABS lights come on and BRAKE light stays illuminated

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11157093

Incident: November 18, 2018 · Filed: December 9, 2018

RE: SAFETY RECALL 20L8/JY; 08V157000: FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE MODIFICATION; VIN: (XX); 2004 AUDI A6 3.0L QUATTRO AT5 ATTACHED DOCS: 1. 20L8/JY RECALL NOTICE. 2. 7.14.2008 & 11.18.18 AUDI N. SCOTTSDALE, AZ DEALER INVOICES 3. AUDI A6 GAS TANK DIAGRAM. AUDI CORP EMAIL RESPONSE: "AT THIS TIME WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THAT THE 20L8 REPAIR WAS SPECIFIC TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP IS INDICATING THIS CURRENT RECOMMENDED REPAIR IS SPECIFIC TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE." "SINCE WE ARE SHOWING THE 20L8 COMPLETED IN JULY OF 2008 AND THE ORIGINAL 20L8 REPAIR IS SPECIFIC TO DRIVER'S SIDE ROLLOVER NIPPLE VALVES, ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS CURRENT REPAIR IS UNRELATED TO THE RECALL." "CURRENTLY PER THE NHTSA WEBSITE, THE 20L8 IS NOT SHOWING AS AN OPEN RECALL, SO I WOULD BE UNABLE TO SPEAK TO HOW THEY WOULD REACT TO INFORMATION REGARDING A CLOSED RECALL." 'WE HAVE NO EVIDENCE SUPPORTING AN INCORRECT REPAIR BEING PERFORMED IN JULY OF 2008, SO AT THIS TIME WE WOULD BE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TOWARDS THIS REPAIR." CURRENT EMISSIONS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (NOV 18, 2018) IS DIAGNOSED BY THE AUDI DEALER AS A GAS TANK LEAK. ALSO, THERE IS A STRONG ODOR COMING FROM GAS TANK. DEALER QUOTED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TANK (SEE ATTACHED #2). THERE ARE SEVERAL ROLLOVER VALVES ON EACH SIDE OF THE GAS TANK ON THE TOP SIDE (SEE ATTACHED #3 GAS TANK DIAGRAM). RECALL (SEE ATTACHED #1) DOES NOT ADDRESS "DRIVERS SIDE OR PASSENGER SIDE" OF GAS TANK. DEALER CLAIMED THAT BACK IN 2008 THAT THEY DID NOT EVEN LOWER THE GAS TANK FOR THE REPAIR. IN SUMMARY: MY VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS A GAS TANK LEAK ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK COMING FROM THE ONE OR MORE ROLLOVER VALVE NIPPLES ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK. THE SAFETY RECALL ADDRESSES REPAIRING AND REINFORCING THESE LEAKING ROLLOVER VALVE NIPPLES SO A REPAIR REQUEST SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE RECALL. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Electrical System

ODI #11010494

Incident: July 25, 2017 · Filed: July 25, 2017

AFTERMARKET RADIO: PIONEER ELECTRONICS AVH-4100 NEX BACKUP CAMERA FAILS AND DISTRACTS DRIVER SIGNIFICANTLY. I HAVE ATTACHED A SCAN OF THE COMPLAINT TO PIONEER ELECTRONICS. THE RADIO LIKELY HAS SOFTWARE DEFECT THAT CAUSES VERY DISTRACTING FAILURES WHEN OPERATING THE BACK-UP CAMERA. PIONEER ADVERTISES THAT THIS BACKUP CAMERA WORKS AS ADVERTISED - IT IS ACTUALLY NOW A DISTRACTION AND HAZARD. AS WELL, OPERATING GOOGLE "ANDROID AUTO" CAUSES MORE SIGNIFICANT DRIVING DISTRACTIONS WHEN USING THE BACKUP CAMERA FUNCTION OF THE AVH-4100. COMPLAINTS TO PIONEER ELECTRONICS HAVE BEEN FRUITLESS. THEY SEEM TO BE ARROGANT AND CLAIM: "ALL OF OUR PRODUCTS ARE THOROUGHLY TESTED." I WOULD LIKE PIONEER ELECTRONICS TO FIX THE SOFTWARE ISSUE AND CREATE A NEW RELEASE THAT ALLOWS THE BACKUP CAMERA TO WORK WITHOUT A DISTRACTION AND SAFTY-HAZARD.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10819557

Incident: January 7, 2016 · Filed: January 11, 2016

WHEN ENGINE IS COLD, USUALLY BELOW 0 DEGREES FUEL SPRAYS FROM INJECTORS. THIS COULD IGNITE ON EXHAUST MANIFOLDS CAUSING CAR FIRE.

Engine

ODI #10724137

Fire

Incident: June 7, 2015 · Filed: June 8, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 AUDI A6. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V198000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC); Service Brakes

ODI #10683045

Incident: January 1, 2015 · Filed: February 12, 2015

WITH THE ELEC STABILITY CONTROL BEING INTERMITTENT THIS IS BEING CAUSED BY THE ABS MODULE GOING BAD/INTERMITTENT THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE CHANGES. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS WITH MY 2002 RAM 1500 (4X4) AS WELL. THIS COULD BE A PROBLEM IN ALL CARS AND TRUCKS. THE COST THE FIX FOR AN AUDI IS AROUND $2500.00 AND MY RAM WAS $1300.00. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10679130

Incident: October 30, 2014 · Filed: January 27, 2015

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EMITTED INSIDE AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK COLLAPSE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,569.

Vehicle Speed Control; Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

ODI #10654540

Incident: October 21, 2014 · Filed: November 12, 2014

THE FIRST THROTTLE VALVE MALFUNCTION HAPPENED ON JULY 2013. COST TO REPAIR 1557.95 PART COST 878.00 MILEAGE 66784 THE SECOND MALFUNCTION HAPPENED ON OCT. 14, 2014 TO REPAIR 1200.00 PART COST 913.00, MILEAGE 69202 WHAT HAPPENS HERE IS THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN E MAJOR ACCIDENT IF SHE WAS REAR ENDED. I CALLED AUDI TO TELL THEM THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE, BUT THEY WOULD NOT LISTEN. THAT IS WHY I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL, TO SEND THEM A MESSAGE. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline; Equipment

ODI #10555455

Incident: December 1, 2013 · Filed: December 10, 2013

SIGNIFICANT GAS LEAK CAUSED BY BROKEN GAS "IN TANK SENDING UNITS" HOUSING AND SEAL. GAS WILL LEAK AND FILL THE INSIDE OF THE CAR WITH FUMS AS WELL AS UNDER THE CAR. REPLACEMENT REQUIRED BUYING A REVISED DESIGN SENDING UNITS THAT INCLUDE ALL THREE SENDING UNITS. THE PRICE IS HIGH ~$500 AND THE CONSEQUENCES VERY DANGEROUS. MY CAR IS: 2004 AUDI A6 [XXX] 2004 A6Q 2.7T INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10459296

Fire

Incident: April 30, 2012 · Filed: May 22, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE IN THE ELECTRIC HARNESS UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED A BURNING ODOR AND THEN THE POWER FAILED TO MOVE THE SEAT. UPON FURTHER REVIEW, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE CARPET UNDER THE SEAT WAS SINGED AND HAD MELTED SOME PLASTIC UNDER THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CONTACT'S PERSONAL MECHANIC WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE POSED A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V133000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER TO INQUIRE OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER BOTH ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 94,648 UPDATED 6/1/12 *CN THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS THE SHORTING OF THE SEAT HARNESS WIRING UNDER THE PASSENGER CARPETING FROM MOVEMENT AND THERE WAS A BEND/ KINK IN THE HARNESS WHEN ASSEMBLED AND THERE WAS SUB DAMAGE TO ADJACENT WIRE HARNESS. UPDATED 06/22/12

Other Audi A6 model years

Check your 2004 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.

Check an Audi VIN