2002 Audi A6 Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2002 Audi A6.

20012003
Complaints
113
Crashes
10
Fires
5
Injuries
19
Fatalities
1
Recalls
1

Worst 2002 Audi A6 Problems

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

#17 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:101,750 mi
Crash-related:5
Fires:1
#27 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:88,958 mi
Fires:2
#37 complaints

Engine & Cooling

Avg mileage:87,638 mi
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Audi A6.

Airbags
7
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
1
Avg Miles
101,750
Electrical Faults
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
88,958
Engine & Cooling
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
87,638
Gasoline Fuel System
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
82,500
Unintended Acceleration
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
77,666
Electrical System:Ignition
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
29,767
Engine Problems
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
82,542
Fuel System
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
106,720
Hydraulic Brakes
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
55,075
Transmission / Drivetrain
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Manual Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Brake Master Cylinder
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Windshield
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Child Seat
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Starter Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Audi A6. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2002 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

2002 Audi A6 — FAQ

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

Is the 2002 Audi A6 reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2002 Audi A6 has 113 NHTSA complaints, 10 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most common issue is Airbags with 7 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2002 Audi A6?
Top reported problems: Airbags (7 complaints, avg 101,750 mi); Electrical Faults (7 complaints, avg 88,958 mi); Engine & Cooling (7 complaints, avg 87,638 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 2002 Audi A6?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 79,819 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2002 Audi A6?
NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Audi A6 include 10 crash-related reports, 5 fire reports, 19 injuries, and 1 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 2002 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 2002 Audi A6?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

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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