AUDI A6 · model year

2000 AUDI A6

201 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2000AUDIA6 carries 201 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 8 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2000 A6 is electrical system with 19 filings, followed by tires (11) and service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module (10). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2000 A6. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

201
Complaints
5
Crashes
8
Fires
8
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

201 filings

Crashes Reported

5 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM19
TIRES11
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL8
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE8
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY6
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY6
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH5
TIRES:SIDEWALL4
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC4

Recalls (4)

20V05600031/01/2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 TT Roadster, 2000 TT Coupe, 1999 Audi A8, 1998-2000 Audi A6, and 1999-2000 Audi A4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) that do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a

04V13300018/03/2004

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

06V19800005/06/2006

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 CONTAIN

01V15700003/05/2001

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SULFUR IN FUEL INTERACTS WITH CERTAIN ADDITIVES FOUND IN WIDELY AVAILABLE GASOLINE CAUSING SULFUR TO BECOME DEPOSITED ON THE CONTACT POINTS OF THREE FUEL SENDING UNITS MOUNTED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL GAUGE TO READ FULL WHILE THE FUE

Recent Complaints

20220521FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Gas is pouring out from the top of the gas tank

20170717FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

EACH TIME I FILL THE GAS TANK THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF LEAKING GAS. NOT CLEARLY IDENTIFIED THE SOURCE BUT FEEL THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK.

Mileage: 135,222

20160615FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT NOTICED STRONG FUMES ENTERING THE VENTS, WHICH AFFECTED THE CONTACT'S BREATHING. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO USE THE HEATER OR AIR CONDITIONER. A WEEK LATER, WHILE DRIVING, A FIRE ERUPTED NEAR THE DASHBOARD AND SMOKE CONSUMED THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND A FIRE INSPECTOR EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V198000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A NOTIFICATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND PARKED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20160401FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE FIRST TIME THIS CAR HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH ANYTHING LEAKING WAS A COUPLE DAYS AGO WHEN WE WOKE UP IN MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TO HOUSE AND GARAGE SMELLING LIKE GAS. ON DRIVER'S SIDE REAR BY PASSENGER DOOR THERE WAS A SMALL LEAK LOOKED LIKE OIL BUT SMELLED OF GAS AND UNDERNEATH CAR YOU CAN SEE WEAR A SMALL CRACK IS AT IN FUEL SYSTEM. I SEE MANY RECALLS FOR SAME THING FOR DIFFERENT YEARS AND COMPLAINTS FILED FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM AND YEAR. NO RECALL NOTICES WAS EVER RECEIVED BY MYSELF OR PREVIOUS TWO OWNERS WHO WAS FRIENDS OR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED. I AM UPSET BECAUSE NOW IT WON'T BE FIXED UNDER RECALL BECAUSE IT'S BEEN SO LONG HOWEVER THERE WAS NO CLOSE DATE ON REPORTS IT SHOWS SEVERAL THOUSAND CARS NEVER GOT THE REPAIR AND WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT NOT ONLY CAN START CAR ON FIRE BUT HOUSE ON FIRE IF PARKED IN GARAGE. NOW I AM SUPPOSE TO PAY FOR THE COST ON SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT PUT TOGETHER CORRECTLY AND IS A SAFETY HAZZARD BECAUSE I WAS NOT WARNED ABOUT IT B

Mileage: 125,549

20151012ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FIRST THE CAR RAN HOT NO TEMP HAVE CAME ON HAD TO REPLACE MOTOR .....THE COOLING FAN BROKE MADE OF PLASTIC AND CUT MY SERPENTINE BELT INTO ......THEN THE CAR FLOODED AND RUINED THE COMFORT CONTROL MODULE HAD TO REPLACE THIS NOW THE FRONT AXEL IS BROKE AND THE BOOTS FELL APART AND THE BALL JOINTS ARE NO GOOD......

20151012STEERING

FIRST THE CAR RAN HOT NO TEMP HAVE CAME ON HAD TO REPLACE MOTOR .....THE COOLING FAN BROKE MADE OF PLASTIC AND CUT MY SERPENTINE BELT INTO ......THEN THE CAR FLOODED AND RUINED THE COMFORT CONTROL MODULE HAD TO REPLACE THIS NOW THE FRONT AXEL IS BROKE AND THE BOOTS FELL APART AND THE BALL JOINTS ARE NO GOOD......

20151012SUSPENSION

FIRST THE CAR RAN HOT NO TEMP HAVE CAME ON HAD TO REPLACE MOTOR .....THE COOLING FAN BROKE MADE OF PLASTIC AND CUT MY SERPENTINE BELT INTO ......THEN THE CAR FLOODED AND RUINED THE COMFORT CONTROL MODULE HAD TO REPLACE THIS NOW THE FRONT AXEL IS BROKE AND THE BOOTS FELL APART AND THE BALL JOINTS ARE NO GOOD......

20150107FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

HELLO! TODAY I WAS AT THE SAMS CLUB GAS STATION TO FILL UP MY VEHICLE, 2000 AUDI A6 WITH THE 4.2 ENGINE. WHEN I FINISHED, I WENT OVER TO THE DRIVER SIDE, WHERE IVE SEEN A HUGE AMOUNT OF GAS ON THE GROUND. THE FUEL WAS LEAKING REALLY BAD FROM MY CAR. THE SAM'S CLUB EVEN CALLED THE FIRED DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE THERE TOO. IT LEAKED OUT A LOT COUPLE GALLONS FROM MY VEHICLE. THANKS GOD THE GAS STATION HAD A SMALL INCLINE SO I COULD NOTICE IT RIGHT BEFORE I WOULD DRIVE AWAY. JUST THINKING THAT I WOULD DRIVE AWAY AND SOMETHING SERIOUS WOULD HAPPEN IT SCARES ME. AS I UNDERSTAND A LOT OF AUDIS ARE RECALLED BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. MINE IS NOT UNDER THE RECALL. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET MINE UNDER THE RECALL TOO? PLEASE HELP ME. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 141,590

20140320FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

AFTER FILLING GAS TANK, GAS BEGAN LEAKING AS A STEADY STREAM FROM LEFT FRONT SIDE OF GAS TANK, NEAR THE REAR DRIVER'S WHEEL WELL. OWNER CONTACTED AUDI DEALERSHIP AND AUDI OF AMERICA. OWNER PAID FOR DEALER INSPECTION TO DIAGNOSE LEAKING GAS ISSUE. DEALER STATED THE TANK WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AUDI OF AMERICA CONTACTED OWNER ON 3/20/2014 AND STATED THE SERVICE MANAGER OF AUDI OF ANN ARBOR, MI HAD DECIDED THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR DUE TO VEHICLE "MILEAGE AND AGE." AUDI OF AMERICA STATED SINCE VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE OF RECALL RANGE (2001-2005 MY), THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH REPAIRS. INDEPENDENT OWNER RESEARCH SHOWS MULTIPLE LEAKING GAS TANK ISSUES (BROKEN ROLLOVER VALVE NIPPLE) WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND MATCHING PART NUMBERS BETWEEN 2001-2005 MY GAS TANKS AND 2000 MY GAS TANK. *TR

Mileage: 135,400

20130820FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FIRST INCIDENT MARCH 2006 LEAKY GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED, COST TO US $2,249.27, AUDI DENIED RESPONSIBILITY. REQUESTED AUDI TO REPORT THIS ISSUE TO AUTHORITIES. SECOND INCIDENT, 7/30/13 (MILEAGE 163,016): VERY STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. THE MECHANIC REMOVED REAR SEAT AND FOUND FUEL STAINING ALL AROUND THE SENDING UNIT. FUEL TANK MUST AGAIN BE REPLACED. THIS WILL BE OUR THIRD TANK COUNTING THE ORIGINAL ONE INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. IN 2008 AUDI ISSUED SAFETY RECALL CIRCULAR CODE: 2OL8/JY REVISED IN JANUARY 2009. MY FIRST FUEL TANK FAILURE OCCURRED 2 YEARS BEFORE THE RECALL. THE AUDI RECALL COVERS MODEL YEARS 2001 THROUGH 2005. MY CAR IS 2000 WITH THE SAME DEFECT AS IN LATER MODELS. 2000 MODEL SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I FIND IT INCREDIBLE THAT AUDI DID NOT KNOW THAT THE IDENTICAL SAFETY DEFECT WAS IN THE 2000 MODEL. THE 2006 FUEL TANK AND PARTS WERE PURCHASED NEW FROM AUDI AND SHOULD BE THE NEWER DESIGN FUEL TANK (IF THERE HAD BEEN ANY REDESIGN BY THEN). ALSO, AS

Mileage: 78,025

20130318FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

LAST MONTH I FILLED UP MY TANK & AFTER DOING SO HAD A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GAS IN THE CABIN. I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC & HE TOLD ME THAT I HAVE A BROKEN ROLLOVER VALVE. TO REPLACE THE TANK COSTS $2500. THIS IS POTENTIALLY A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE GIVEN LEAKING GAS! AFTER RESEARCH I FOUND THERE IS A RECALL TO REINFORCE THE VALVE WITH EPOXY. UNFORTUNATELY THE RECALL IS FOR 2001-2004 MODELS & MINE IS A 2000. THE ISSUE ON MY 2000 IS THE EXACT SAME TANK/VALVE. I NEXT CONTACTED AUDI CUSTOMER SERVICE TO GET A CASE # HOPING THEY'D TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THEY CREATED THE CASE BUT TOLD ME UNTIL THE ISSUE IS VERIFIED BY AN AUDI DEALER THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING. DOING SO WOULD COME WITH NO GUARANTEES. I CALLED THE DEALER & THEY SAID THE COST OF A DIAGNOSTIC IS $109. SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TO VALIDATE THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC?S ANALYSIS. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED TODAY & CONFIRMED THE ISSUE FROM THE INDEPENDENT. COST TO PATCH IS $452+TAX (RATHER THAN COMPLETELY REPLACE THE TANK

Mileage: 169,000

20130228ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHEN MOVING THE STEERING COLUMN UP OR DOWN SMOKE COMES OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND GET A BURNING SMELL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

Mileage: 164,760

20130228STEERING

WHEN MOVING THE STEERING COLUMN UP OR DOWN SMOKE COMES OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND GET A BURNING SMELL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

Mileage: 164,760

20121127FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

STRONG FUEL FUMES ARE PRESENT INSIDE THE CAR'S CABIN WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY WITH THE ENGINE BOTH ON AND OFF. UPON INSPECTION BY AN AUTOMOTIVE TECH, FUEL IS DRIPPING FROM THE FUEL TANK AREA ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE UNDER THE REAR SEATS. FUEL WILL CONTINUE TO DRIP OUT UNTIL THE FUEL TANK IS AT ABOUT 1/2 FULL. THE REAR SEAT BENCH WAS REMOVED TO GAIN ACCESS TO PART OF THE FUEL TANK AND THERE IS VISIBLE WET SPOTS FROM FUEL SPILLING OUT THE TANK. THE TECH FOUND A HOSE THAT CONNECTS TO A PLASTIC VALVE ON THE FUEL TANK. THE PLASTIC VALVE IS CRACKED AND IS LEAKING FUEL. THERE IS A RECALL FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM FOR THE VEHICLES MADE IN 2001 AND NEWER BUT NOT 2000. THE 2000 A6 IS IDENTICAL TO THE 2001 A6, WHY ISN'T A 2000 COVERED IN THIS RECALL? PLEASE AMEND THE RECALL TO COVER 2000 A6 CARS. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

20121005FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVERS SIDE VENTS OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE, IT THEN IGNITED CAUSING A VEHICLE FIRE. THE DRIVERS SIDE COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *TR

20120901FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

HI AUDI REFUSES TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE MY CAR IS 2000 MODEL , BUT IT HAS 6 IN THE VIN AS FOR RECALL REQUIREMENTS IN RECALL YUP GUYS ISSUED , I THINK 2000 MODELS SHOULD BE INCLUDED ALSO AS I HAVE SAME PROBLEM AS FOR RECALL FOR 2001 MODELS ALSO AS SAID BEFORE HAVE THAT 6 IN MY VIN NUMBER . CAN YOU PLEASE GUYS REVIEW THIS PROBLEM , AS 2000 MODELS SHOULD BE COVERED . IF THAT MODEL HAS A 6 IN ITS DESIGNATION, YOU MIGHT WANT TO HAVE A LOOK AT ITS VALVE... NIPPLES, BECAUSE THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) SAYS THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THEM. SILLY JOKES ASIDE, THE SAFETY ORGANIZATION HAS JUST RELEASED A RECALL NOTICE FOR CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 AUDI A6, 2002-2003 MODEL YEAR S6 AND 2003 MODEL YEAR RS6 VEHICLES, ALL EQUIPPED WITH 4.2-LITER V8 ENGINES AND MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 19TH, 2001, UNTIL JUNE 8TH, 2004. A TOTAL OF 5,992 AUDIS BEARING THE NUMBER 6 IN THEIR TITLE ARE AFFECTED AND WILL BE RECALLED IN THE STATES OVER A POTENTIAL PROBLEM DESCRIBE

Mileage: 159,000

20120420ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

THE CENTER INSTUMENT CLUSTER HAS BEEN IN AND OUT FOR AS LONG AS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. SOME DAYS, WHEN THE PLANETS ALIGN CORRECTLY, THE DISPLAY WILL BE MOSTLY VISIBLE. ON MOST DAYS, HOWEVER, MOST PIXELS ARE NOT VISIBLE, SOME ARE FADED, AND CERTAIN CRITICAL WARNINGS CANNOT BE SEEN...YOU CAN HEAR THE BEEPING, BUT HAVE NO CLUE WHAT IS FAILING! IF THIS WERE A PLUG AND PLAY PART I WOULD HAVE REPLACED IT BY NOW...BUT THE WHOLE THOUGHT OF HAVING TO SOLDER THE LCD IN DISCOURAGES A FIX. THIS IS AN INHERENT ISSUE WITH THE C5 LINE...CANNOT BELIEVE AUDI HAS NEVER RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE! CLEARLY THIS IS A PROBLEM. *JS

20120319ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS GONE OUT AND THERE IS NO WAY TO READ THE IMPORTANT MESSAGES THAT COME ACROSS IT. I.E. LOW FUEL, TEMP OR COOLANT OR ENGINE, BRAKE PROBLEMS, WASHER FLUID .... I FEEL SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ON THIS PART!! *JS

20120222FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

OUR AUDI A6 WAS TAKEN TO AUDI RECTOR ON 12/20/11 DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL COMING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. AUDI RECTOR REPAIRED THE RACK AND PINION STEERING AND A TRANSMISSION LEAK. THEY SAID THE SMELL WAS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION LEAK AND WOULD DISSIPATE. ON THE TRIP HOME FROM AUDI RECTOR ON 12/23/11, THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE STARTING INSIDE THE DRIVER SIDE AIR VENT AND BURNED. IT WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. *TR

Mileage: 203,463

20111028FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

FUEL VAPOR DETECTED IN CABIN. GASOLINE DETECTED ON FLOOR SURFACE UNDER DRIVER SIDE REAR PASSENGER LOCATION. ALSO OBSERVE FUEL DRIPPING FROM DRIVER SIDE FUEL TANK. SUSPECT DEFECTIVE ROLLOVER VALVE NIPPLE. ADDENDUM REQUESTED TO INCLUDE YEAR 2000 A6 AUDI C5 CAR YEAR IS 04/2000 A6 QUATTRO C5. SEE; RECALL CAMPAIGN 08V157000 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE08008. *TR

Mileage: 136,131

Compare 2000AUDIA6 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2000 AUDI A6 have?
The 2000 AUDI A6 has 201 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 8 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2000 AUDI A6?
Yes, the 2000 AUDI A6 has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 AUDI A6?
The most-complained component for the 2000 AUDI A6 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 19 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE.
Is the 2000 AUDI A6 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.