Audi A6 · model year

2004 Audi A6

44 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 4 recall campaigns listed for this cohort. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

Complaints
44
Recalls
4

The verdict

The 2004 Audi A6 posts below-average complaint volume among its own model-year siblings.

Top 45%
fewest complaints, own model years
4
recall campaigns

The 2004AudiA6 carries 44 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2004 A6 is fuel system, gasoline with 4 filings, followed by wheels:rim (3) and electrical system (3). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause. This cohort has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns listed below. Enter a VIN in NHTSA's official recall lookup to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2004 A6. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.

44
Complaints
3
Crashes
2
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
2004 Audi A6

PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.

NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.

Total Complaints

44 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE4
WHEELS:RIM3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
TIRES2
SEATS2
AIR BAGS2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)2
SERVICE BRAKES2
TIRES:SIDEWALL1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM1

Recalls (4)

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.

08V15700008/04/2008

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

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 ALUMIN

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

11V26700003/05/2011

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

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

Recent Complaints

20231212SERVICE BRAKES

- ABS Module has intermittent failures, available for inspection - Anti-lock brakes will not work - Yes, the problem reoccurs and the module loses power and then errors out - Others - VCDS - ABS lights come on and BRAKE light stays illuminated

20231212FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

- ABS Module has intermittent failures, available for inspection - Anti-lock brakes will not work - Yes, the problem reoccurs and the module loses power and then errors out - Others - VCDS - ABS lights come on and BRAKE light stays illuminated

20181209FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

RE: SAFETY RECALL 20L8/JY; 08V157000: FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE MODIFICATION; VIN: (XX); 2004 AUDI A6 3.0L QUATTRO AT5 ATTACHED DOCS: 1. 20L8/JY RECALL NOTICE. 2. 7.14.2008 & 11.18.18 AUDI N. SCOTTSDALE, AZ DEALER INVOICES 3. AUDI A6 GAS TANK DIAGRAM. AUDI CORP EMAIL RESPONSE: "AT THIS TIME WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THAT THE 20L8 REPAIR WAS SPECIFIC TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP IS INDICATING THIS CURRENT RECOMMENDED REPAIR IS SPECIFIC TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE." "SINCE WE ARE SHOWING THE 20L8 COMPLETED IN JULY OF 2008 AND THE ORIGINAL 20L8 REPAIR IS SPECIFIC TO DRIVER'S SIDE ROLLOVER NIPPLE VALVES, ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS CURRENT REPAIR IS UNRELATED TO THE RECALL." "CURRENTLY PER THE NHTSA WEBSITE, THE 20L8 IS NOT SHOWING AS AN OPEN RECALL, SO I WOULD BE UNABLE TO SPEAK TO HOW THEY WOULD REACT TO INFORMATION REGARDING A CLOSED RECALL." 'WE HAVE NO EVIDENCE SUPPORTING AN INCORRECT REPAIR BEING PERFORMED IN JULY OF 2008, SO AT THIS TIME WE

Mileage: 53,000

20170725ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AFTERMARKET RADIO: PIONEER ELECTRONICS AVH-4100 NEX BACKUP CAMERA FAILS AND DISTRACTS DRIVER SIGNIFICANTLY. I HAVE ATTACHED A SCAN OF THE COMPLAINT TO PIONEER ELECTRONICS. THE RADIO LIKELY HAS SOFTWARE DEFECT THAT CAUSES VERY DISTRACTING FAILURES WHEN OPERATING THE BACK-UP CAMERA. PIONEER ADVERTISES THAT THIS BACKUP CAMERA WORKS AS ADVERTISED - IT IS ACTUALLY NOW A DISTRACTION AND HAZARD. AS WELL, OPERATING GOOGLE "ANDROID AUTO" CAUSES MORE SIGNIFICANT DRIVING DISTRACTIONS WHEN USING THE BACKUP CAMERA FUNCTION OF THE AVH-4100. COMPLAINTS TO PIONEER ELECTRONICS HAVE BEEN FRUITLESS. THEY SEEM TO BE ARROGANT AND CLAIM: "ALL OF OUR PRODUCTS ARE THOROUGHLY TESTED." I WOULD LIKE PIONEER ELECTRONICS TO FIX THE SOFTWARE ISSUE AND CREATE A NEW RELEASE THAT ALLOWS THE BACKUP CAMERA TO WORK WITHOUT A DISTRACTION AND SAFTY-HAZARD.

20160111FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHEN ENGINE IS COLD, USUALLY BELOW 0 DEGREES FUEL SPRAYS FROM INJECTORS. THIS COULD IGNITE ON EXHAUST MANIFOLDS CAUSING CAR FIRE.

20150608FireENGINE

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 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

Mileage: 103,000

20150212ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

WITH THE ELEC STABILITY CONTROL BEING INTERMITTENT THIS IS BEING CAUSED BY THE ABS MODULE GOING BAD/INTERMITTENT THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE CHANGES. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS WITH MY 2002 RAM 1500 (4X4) AS WELL. THIS COULD BE A PROBLEM IN ALL CARS AND TRUCKS. THE COST THE FIX FOR AN AUDI IS AROUND $2500.00 AND MY RAM WAS $1300.00. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

20150212SERVICE BRAKES

WITH THE ELEC STABILITY CONTROL BEING INTERMITTENT THIS IS BEING CAUSED BY THE ABS MODULE GOING BAD/INTERMITTENT THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE CHANGES. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS WITH MY 2002 RAM 1500 (4X4) AS WELL. THIS COULD BE A PROBLEM IN ALL CARS AND TRUCKS. THE COST THE FIX FOR AN AUDI IS AROUND $2500.00 AND MY RAM WAS $1300.00. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

20150127FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK COLLAPSE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,569.

Mileage: 146,569

20141112ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

THE FIRST THROTTLE VALVE MALFUNCTION HAPPENED ON JULY 2013. COST TO REPAIR 1557.95 PART COST 878.00 MILEAGE 66784 THE SECOND MALFUNCTION HAPPENED ON OCT. 14, 2014 TO REPAIR 1200.00 PART COST 913.00, MILEAGE 69202 WHAT HAPPENS HERE IS THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN E MAJOR ACCIDENT IF SHE WAS REAR ENDED. I CALLED AUDI TO TELL THEM THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE, BUT THEY WOULD NOT LISTEN. THAT IS WHY I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL, TO SEND THEM A MESSAGE. *TR

Mileage: 69,201

20141112VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE FIRST THROTTLE VALVE MALFUNCTION HAPPENED ON JULY 2013. COST TO REPAIR 1557.95 PART COST 878.00 MILEAGE 66784 THE SECOND MALFUNCTION HAPPENED ON OCT. 14, 2014 TO REPAIR 1200.00 PART COST 913.00, MILEAGE 69202 WHAT HAPPENS HERE IS THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN E MAJOR ACCIDENT IF SHE WAS REAR ENDED. I CALLED AUDI TO TELL THEM THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE, BUT THEY WOULD NOT LISTEN. THAT IS WHY I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL, TO SEND THEM A MESSAGE. *TR

Mileage: 69,201

20131210FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

SIGNIFICANT GAS LEAK CAUSED BY BROKEN GAS "IN TANK SENDING UNITS" HOUSING AND SEAL. GAS WILL LEAK AND FILL THE INSIDE OF THE CAR WITH FUMS AS WELL AS UNDER THE CAR. REPLACEMENT REQUIRED BUYING A REVISED DESIGN SENDING UNITS THAT INCLUDE ALL THREE SENDING UNITS. THE PRICE IS HIGH ~$500 AND THE CONSEQUENCES VERY DANGEROUS. MY CAR IS: 2004 AUDI A6 [XXX] 2004 A6Q 2.7T INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

20120522FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 THAT THE CARPET UNDER THE SEAT WAS SINGED AND HAD MELTED SOME PLASTIC UNDER THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CONTACT'S PERSONAL MECHANIC WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE POSED A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V133000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER TO INQUIRE OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER BOTH ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 94,648 UPDATED 6/1/12 *CN THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS THE SHORTING OF THE SEAT HARNESS WIRING UNDER THE PASSENGER CARPETING F

Mileage: 94,648

20120214ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

REPLACED CYLINDER BANK 1 RIGHT SIDE! *TR

Mileage: 92,000

20110910EXTERIOR LIGHTING

PASSENGER SIDE MECHANICAL VERTICAL ADJUSTER DOES NOT FUNCTION IS LAMP POINT TO ABOUT 10 FEET TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. DIVER SIDE ADJUSTER APPEAR TO FUNCTION OK. ONLINE BLOGS CONFER MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH AUDI HEADLIGHT ADJUSTERS AS COMMON, RECURRENT, AND COSTLY TO FIX. DRIVING WITH POORLY AIMED LIGHTS IS OBVIOUSLY SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

20110323FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN REFUELING THE VEHICLE OVER THE THREE QUARTER CAPACITY LEVEL, A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF FUEL WOULD LEAK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE NEAR THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED SIGNIFICANT CONCERN OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 90,000

20110228FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2004 AUDI A6 SEDAN, 3.0 ENGINE DEVELOPED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER JUST BEFORE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. *TR

Mileage: 81,469

20110120CrashAIR BAGS

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 ROCK BACK AND FORTH AND THE BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE. THE CONTACT HIT GUARDRAILS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. THE VEHICLE THEN TIPPED ON ITS SIDE AND WENT INTO A RAVINE. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AND THE WHEELS WERE STILL SPINNING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE COLLAR BONE, RIBS, A CONCUSSION, AND LOST TEETH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 190,000. UPDATED 04/08/11

Mileage: 190,000

20110120CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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 ROCK BACK AND FORTH AND THE BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE. THE CONTACT HIT GUARDRAILS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. THE VEHICLE THEN TIPPED ON ITS SIDE AND WENT INTO A RAVINE. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AND THE WHEELS WERE STILL SPINNING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE COLLAR BONE, RIBS, A CONCUSSION, AND LOST TEETH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 190,000. UPDATED 04/08/11

Mileage: 190,000

20110120CrashENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 ROCK BACK AND FORTH AND THE BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE. THE CONTACT HIT GUARDRAILS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. THE VEHICLE THEN TIPPED ON ITS SIDE AND WENT INTO A RAVINE. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AND THE WHEELS WERE STILL SPINNING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE COLLAR BONE, RIBS, A CONCUSSION, AND LOST TEETH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 190,000. UPDATED 04/08/11

Mileage: 190,000

Compare 2004AudiA6 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Vehicle Safety Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 Audi A6 have?
The 2004 Audi A6 has 44 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 Audi A6?
Yes, the 2004 Audi A6 has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Audi A6?
The most-complained component for the 2004 Audi A6 is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include WHEELS:RIM and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2004 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.

Data vintage: August 2026. 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.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2004 Audi A6; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.