NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 103 owner complaints for the 2002 Audi A6. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (16) and electrical system (15). The EPA rates it 18–19 mpg combined.
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.
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 ALUMINUM VENTILATION LINE TO THE ROLLOVER VALVE NIPPLE MAY LEAD TO CRACKING OF THE NIPPLE. IF THIS HAPPENS, A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT.
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.
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 |
“MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS MARKING MISFIRE BUT I HAVE GOTTEN A COMPLETE TUNE-UP, CHANGED ALL 6 COILS ON THE ENGINE CHANGED ALL THE SPARK PLUGS, I'VE DONE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE AND CHANGED EVERYTHING I CAN THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE ENGINE ALL BRAND NEW AND NOTHING HAS WORKED AND ITS STILL SAYING MISFIRE...I'VE GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM FOR AUDI'S AND THERE WERE SO MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING... ALSO, I AM HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AS WELL ONE DAY MY WINDOWS WORK THE NEXT IT DOESN'T SOMETIMES MY LIGHTS WILL WORK AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T, SOMETIMES MY RADIO WILL WORK SOME TIMES IT DOESN'T, THE INFORMATION ON MY DASH SOMETIMES DOESN'T LIGHT UP AND I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING AT NIGHT TIME, I HAVE CONSTANTLY BEEN TO THE MECHANICS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON BUT WE CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM, I'VE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY ON THIS CAR TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEMS BUT ITS REALLY MAKING IT HARD FOR ME TO KEEP SPENDING MONEY ON MY CAR AND NOT BEING ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IF I'M DRIVING AT NIGHT TIME AND MY LIGHTS END UP NOT WORKING I CAN CAUSE A VERY BIG ACCIDENT I AM VERY VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THESE DEFECTS,…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 AUDI A6. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THERE WAS AN ODOR OF SMOKE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED SMOKE COMING THROUGH THE VENTS ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING FACILITY. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI S6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED IN COLD TEMPERATURES, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.”
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 (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | $4,200 | 468 |
| A6 Avant quattro Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 23 | 18 | $4,400 | 494 |
| A6 quattro Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 18 | $4,400 | 494 |
| A6 quattro Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 4.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 23 | 18 | $4,400 | 494 |
| A6 quattro Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 23 | 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 103 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (16), electrical system (15), power train (13). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2002 Audi A6 at 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).