NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 48 owner complaints for the 2003 Audi RS6. Most complaints involve suspension (31) and fuel system, gasoline (5). The EPA rates it 16 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.
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 RS6 model year we’ve synced.
Only one model year synced so far.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI RS6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING AND WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT AND BACK SHOCKS ABSORBER, THE TUBING AND THE VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.”
“2003 AUDI RS6 (A6 4.2 V8 BITURBO) FUEL TANK DEFECT: THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARD TO MY 2003 AUDI RS6 SEDAN. AFTER NOTICING A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL AND FUEL VAPOR IN MY GARAGE THE MORNING AFTER FILLING UP SAID CAR, I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL AUDI DEALER TO HAVE THE CAR INSPECTED AND DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED THAT THE CAR'S FUEL TANK IS BROKEN AT THE TOP WHERE THE ROLL OVER VALVE IS BONDED TO THE TANK. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT A 7 YEAR OLD VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE SUCH A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS PROBLEM SUCH AS A LEAKING FUEL TANK. IN MY RESEARCH I HAVE NOW FOUND THAT A SIMILAR PROBLEM EXISTS WITH OTHER AUDI A6 BASED MODELS - AND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL SAFETY RECALL (08V-157) FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM, HOWEVER ONLY ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE SMALLER 18.5 GALLON FUEL TANK. THE 21.7 GALLON TANK IN THE AUDI RS6 (4.2 BITURBO QUATTRO) IS MADE OF THE SAME DEFECTIVE MATERIALS AND APPEARS TO HAVE FAILED IN THE SAME WAY AS THE OTHER A6 BASED VEHICLES LISTED IN THE REFERENCED SAFETY RECALL. THIS ISSUE APPEARS TO BE QUITE PREVALENT IN ALL B5 AUDI A6 BASED MODELS (REGARDLESS OF TANK SIZE OR VENT LINE MATERIALS) AND I BELIEVE THAT THE…”
“CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THIS RESULTED IN NEEDING TO REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. *TR”
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RS6 Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 4.2 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | $4,700 | 555 |
| 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 |
2 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 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 48 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (31), fuel system, gasoline (5), power train (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2003 Audi RS6 at 16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).