2004 Audi A6 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2004 Audi A6 sits mid-pack among A6 years: 44 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 44, with 4 recalls and one closed investigation.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across fuel system (9), tires & wheels (6), and brakes (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other A6 years?

A6 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all A6 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Audi A6 problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Fuel System	9	20%	▼ down
Tires & Wheels	6	14%	— flat
Brakes	5	11%	— flat
Electrical System	5	11%	▼ down
Engine	4	9%	▼ down
Airbags	3	7%	▲ up
Seats	3	7%	▲ up
Speed Control	2	5%	— flat
Lighting	2	5%	— flat
Visibility & Wipers	1	2%	▼ down
Driver Assistance	1	2%	new
Transmission	1	2%	▼ down
Suspension	1	2%	▼ down
Steering	1	2%	▼ down

Does the 2004 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.

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · October 30, 2014

“CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED 4 TIRE BLOW OUTS WITHT EH CONTINENTAL TIRE EQUIPMENT.[REDACTED]NO ANSWER REQUIRED[REDACTED]. *MR THE TIRE DEALER REPLACED THE CONSUMER'S FOUR CONTINENTAL TIRES WITH WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE MODEL TIRE WHICH HAD BLOWNOUT. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 19, 2005

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 30, 2012 · fire

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A6 AVANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD BEEN ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD NOT WORRY ABOUT THE LIGHT. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO MISS A DEER AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT BEGAN TO…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 12, 2010 · crash

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 7, 2015 · fire

2004 Audi A6 — common questions

Is the 2004 Audi A6 reliable?

It is close to typical for the A6: 44 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2004 A6 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (9 complaints), tires & wheels (6 complaints), brakes (5 complaints).

Does the 2004 Audi A6 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Audi A6. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 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 2004 compare to other A6 years?

What are the most common 2004 Audi A6 problems?

Does the 2004 Audi A6 have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2004 Audi A6 — common questions

Is the 2004 Audi A6 reliable?

What are the most common 2004 A6 problems?

Does the 2004 Audi A6 have recalls?

Is the 2004 Audi A6 under NHTSA investigation?

Which Audi A6 years should you avoid?

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