NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 148 owner complaints for the 2000 Audi A6. Most complaints involve electrical system (36) and service brakes, hydraulic (25). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.
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 manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, possibly causing the air bag to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each A6 model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 54 |
| 1997 | 21 |
| 1998 | 130 |
| 1999 | 217 |
| 2000 | 148 |
| 2001 | 113 |
| 2002 | 103 |
| 2003 | 71 |
| 2004 | 35 |
| 2006 | 67 |
| 2007 | 53 |
| 2008 | 71 |
| 2009 | 21 |
| 2010 | 17 |
| 2011 | 21 |
| 2012 | 60 |
| 2013 | 52 |
| 2014 | 41 |
| 2015 | 22 |
| 2016 | 51 |
| 2017 | 20 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2026 | 9 |
“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.”
“THE CAR HAD THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT DISPLAY (BRAKE LIGHT IF FLASHING), CAUSING THE CAR TO SOMETIMES NOT STOP PROPERLY. CHECKED OUT TO BE ABS MODULE FAILURE. *TT”
“2000 AUDI A6 4.2L V8 QUATTRO ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE. THE PLASTIC COOLANT PIPE BETWEEN THE OIL COOLER HOUSING AND THE ENGINE BLOCK FAILS CAUSING POTENTIAL CATASTROPHIC COOLANT LOSS, OVERHEATED ENGINE AND POTENTIAL FIRE. *TR THE PLASTIC PIPE HARDENS/CRUMBLES WITH AGE, APPROXIMATELY 10 YEARS AND 135K MILES. I REPLACED THE PIPE...IT TAKES ABOUT 10 MANHOURS. THE REPLACEMENT AUDI PART IS MAYBE $20 BUT IT IS STILL PLASTIC. I REPLACED IT WITH A BILLET ALUMINUM PART WITH DOUBLE O-RINGS. DEALER WANTED $2900.00 TO REPAIR!! I UNDERSTAND THIS PART IS ON EVERY 4.2L V8 ON BOTH A6 AND A8 CARS FROM 1998 TO CURRENT 2010.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A6 Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 18 | $4,400 | 494 |
| A6 Avant quattro Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 18 | $4,400 | 494 |
| A6 quattro Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 18 | $4,400 | 494 |
| A6 quattro Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 18 | $4,400 | 494 |
| A6 quattro Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 18 | $4,400 | 494 |
| A6 quattro Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,400 | 494 |
| A6 quattro Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 18 | $4,400 | 494 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
4 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 148 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (36), service brakes, hydraulic (25), engine and engine cooling (21). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2000 Audi A6 at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).