2002 Audi A6 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 113 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.6 times the median A6 year — the 2002 model ranks #7 of 33 A6 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 19 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (20), electrical system (16), and fuel system (15), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

113

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other A6 years?

A6 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all A6 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Audi A6 problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Engine	20	18%	— flat
Electrical System	16	14%	— flat
Fuel System	15	13%	— flat
Brakes	12	11%	— flat
Transmission	10	9%	▼ down
Speed Control	8	7%	▲ up
Airbags	7	6%	▼ down
Visibility & Wipers	4	4%	▲ up
Other	4	4%	▼ down
Seat Belts	4	4%	▲ up
Body & Structure	4	4%	— flat
Suspension	2	2%	▼ down
Tires & Wheels	2	2%	▼ down
Lighting	2	2%	▼ down
Steering	1	1%	— flat
Child Seat	1	1%	new
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)	1	1%	— flat

Does the 2002 Audi A6 have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V267000Fuel SystemMay 3, 2011 · 5,992 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

08V157000Fuel SystemApril 8, 2008 · 68,240 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

06V198000Electrical SystemJune 5, 2006 · 70,512 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

04V133000Electrical SystemMarch 18, 2004 · 172,866 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“AFTER A SHORT DRIVE (ABOUT 3 MILES IN TOWN), THE CAR WAS PULLED INTO MY GARAGE A FEW MINUTES LATER MY WIFE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I BACKED THE CAR INTO THE DRIVEWAY, OPENED THE HOOD AND SIGNIFICANT WHITE SMOKE WITH THE SMELL OF BURNING PLASTIC CAME FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 25, 2005 · fire

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 24, 2017 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIVE EXTREMELY SLUGGISH UNTIL THE VEHICLE WOULD REACH A SPEED OF 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC THAT ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL PUMP…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 29, 2010

“DEALER AND FACTORTY HAVE REFUSED TO SEND ME MY ORIGINAL WARRANTY AND THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR BRAKE/ROTER REPAIR/REPLACEMENT. WHEN THE CAR WAS SERVICED LAST YEAR THEY SAID THE BRAKES & ROTARS WERE NOT READY YET, BUT TODAY THEY SAY THE BRAKES AND ROTARS ARE NO LONGER COVERED. CONNECTICUT…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 7, 2005

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI A6. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE WHILE ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE TRANSMISSION CLUTCH PLATE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 15, 2012

2002 Audi A6 — common questions

Is the 2002 Audi A6 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 113 complaints put the 2002 model at #7 of 33 A6 years. It is one of the A6 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 A6 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (20 complaints), electrical system (16 complaints), fuel system (15 complaints).

Does the 2002 Audi A6 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Audi A6. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Audi A6 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Audi A6 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the A6 years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2019, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2002, 2012, 2003, 2006, 2013, 2008, 2016, 1996. The cleanest record among A6 years belongs to 2024.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2002 compare to other A6 years?

What are the most common 2002 Audi A6 problems?

Does the 2002 Audi A6 have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2002 Audi A6 — common questions

Is the 2002 Audi A6 reliable?

What are the most common 2002 A6 problems?

Does the 2002 Audi A6 have recalls?

Is the 2002 Audi A6 under NHTSA investigation?

Which Audi A6 years should you avoid?

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