The 2003 Audi A6 has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 426,138 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 85 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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…
Consequence
A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE NIPPLE ON THE ROLLOVER VALVE TO PREVENT LEAKAGE OR REPAIR THE CRACKING AT THE NIPPLE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
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…
Consequence
A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE NIPPLE ON THE ROLLOVER VALVE TO PREVENT LEAKAGE OR REPAIR THE CRACKING AT THE NIPPLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 27, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.8L TURBO, 2.8L V6, OR 3.0L ENGINES, A CHANGE IN THE ELECTRICAL MOTOR COMPONENTS IN THE FUEL PUMP CAN LEAD TO AN INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP AND, ULTIMATELY, STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO STALL.
Consequence
IF FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE IS INTERRUPTED, THE VEHICLE COULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND THUS PRESENT A POTENTIAL RISK OF CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 28, 20007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-222-8987 OR AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834. THIS RECALL IS A SUPPLEMENT TO A PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN (PLEASE SEE 06V017).
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…
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING OR FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS BY INSTALLING A JUMPER WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 16, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM SEPTEMBER 2002 - MARCH 2003, EQUIPPED WITH 1.8L TURBO, 2.8L V6, OR 3.0L ENGINES, A CHANGE IN THE ELECTRICAL MOTOR COMPONENTS IN THE FUEL PUMP CAN LEAD TO AN INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP AND, ULTIMATELY, STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO STALL.
Consequence
IF FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE IS INTERRUPTED, THE VEHICLE COULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND THUS PRESENT A POTENTIAL RISK OF CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-222-8987 OR AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
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.
Consequence
A FIRE COULD ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT DASHBOARD AREA.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVERING ON THE KNEE BOLSTER (CRASH ELEMENT). IN ADDITION, THE WIRING HARNESS AS WELL AS THE FELT PROTECTOR ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD CARRIER WILL BE CHECKED, AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 26, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
AIR BAGS02V2750002002-10-09170 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3-SPOKE SPORT STEERING WHEELS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE IGNITER FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ASSEMBLED.
Consequence
AN IMPROPERLY POSITIONED IGNITER WILL NOT ACTIVATE THE AIR BAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAGS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 18, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
10
4fires
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
10
1fires
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
5
TIRES:SIDEWALL
5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
4
POWER TRAIN
4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
3
ENGINE
3
1fires
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
3
Total complaints85
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The gas tank or components of the tank are leaking gas when more than a small amount of gas is put into the tank. Gas leaks all over the ground from the tank and the cabin fills with gas fumes. My 18 son has been driving this car and I will not allow him or anyone else to drive the car now. After…”
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 audi a6. The contact stated while driving at various speeds on the highway, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted and made aware of the failure. The…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 audi a6. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer and the crankshaft sensor was replaced, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not…”
“I was driving in light rain and saw a small puddle of water ahead so I slowed down and went through it at 10mph, all of the sudden my steering wheel locks up and is stuck going right, grinding noise came from the front drivers wheel. I somehow managed to get the vehical to a fire station and park…”
“I was driving in light rain and saw a small puddle of water ahead so I slowed down and went through it at 10mph, all of the sudden my steering wheel locks up and is stuck going right, grinding noise came from the front drivers wheel. I somehow managed to get the vehical to a fire station and park…”
“Sunroof exploded while traveling on the freeway.”
“Check engine light on, vehicle will not pass emissions testing. Audi determined that it was due to a fuel leak from a crack in the passenger side rear rollover valve. Vehicle had been recalled in past for similar issue (performed). Tank has 4 rollover valves, only one (front driver) included in…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 audi a6. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a puddle of fuel in the driveway. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rollover valve had a crack, causing the fuel tank to leak. The vehicle was repaired per a…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE08008 Opened 2008-01-31 · closed 2008-05-30
FUEL TANK LEAK
VOLKSWAGEN (VW) IS RECALLING CERTAIN VW PASSAT 4MOTION AND AUDI A6 QUATTRO AND ALLROAD QUATTRO ALL-WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER CARS.VW VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL WERE MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 22, 2000 THROUGH MAY 31, 2005 AND AUDI VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2, 2001 TO JUNE 1, 2005.THE NHTSA…
InvestigationPE08008 Opened 2008-01-31 · closed 2008-05-30
FUEL TANK LEAK
VOLKSWAGEN (VW) IS RECALLING CERTAIN VW PASSAT 4MOTION AND AUDI A6 QUATTRO AND ALLROAD QUATTRO ALL-WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER CARS.VW VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL WERE MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 22, 2000 THROUGH MAY 31, 2005 AND AUDI VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2, 2001 TO JUNE 1, 2005.THE NHTSA…
InvestigationPE08008 Opened 2008-01-31 · closed 2008-05-30
FUEL TANK LEAK
VOLKSWAGEN (VW) IS RECALLING CERTAIN VW PASSAT 4MOTION AND AUDI A6 QUATTRO AND ALLROAD QUATTRO ALL-WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER CARS.VW VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL WERE MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 22, 2000 THROUGH MAY 31, 2005 AND AUDI VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2, 2001 TO JUNE 1, 2005.THE NHTSA…
InvestigationPE08008 Opened 2008-01-31 · closed 2008-05-30
FUEL TANK LEAK
VOLKSWAGEN (VW) IS RECALLING CERTAIN VW PASSAT 4MOTION AND AUDI A6 QUATTRO AND ALLROAD QUATTRO ALL-WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER CARS.VW VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL WERE MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 22, 2000 THROUGH MAY 31, 2005 AND AUDI VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2, 2001 TO JUNE 1, 2005.THE NHTSA…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Audi A6 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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