2001 Audi A6 Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2001 Audi A6.

20002002
Complaints
148
Crashes
17
Fires
11
Injuries
15
Fatalities
Recalls
1

Worst 2001 Audi A6 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#110 complaints

Automatic Transmission

Avg mileage:48,200 mi
#210 complaints

Tire Defects

Avg mileage:46,467 mi
Crash-related:1
#39 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:66,925 mi
Crash-related:3
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2001 Audi A6.

Automatic Transmission
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
48,200
Tire Defects
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
46,467
Airbags
9
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
66,925
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
41,369
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
66,500
Air Bags:Frontal
5
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Avg Miles
62,631
Electrical Faults
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
96,057
Gasoline Fuel System
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
93,596
Fuel System
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
40,000
Hydraulic Brakes
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
42,347
Engine & Cooling
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Side/Window
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Wiring
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Other:Labels
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2001 Audi A6. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2001 Audi A6

1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~5,992 vehicles.

11V267000Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly
~5,992 affected

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.

Other Audi A6 Years

2001 Audi A6 — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2001 Audi A6 reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2001 Audi A6 has 148 NHTSA complaints, 17 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most common issue is Automatic Transmission with 10 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2001 Audi A6?
Top reported problems: Automatic Transmission (10 complaints, avg 48,200 mi); Tire Defects (10 complaints, avg 46,467 mi); Airbags (9 complaints, avg 66,925 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2001 Audi A6?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 58,627 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2001 Audi A6?
NHTSA complaints for the 2001 Audi A6 include 17 crash-related reports, 11 fire reports, 15 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2001 Audi A6 have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 5,992 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2001 Audi A6?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (automatic transmission) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Audi A6 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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