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2003 Audi A6 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

7 safety recalls list the 2003 Audi A6, and owners have filed 66 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

7
safety recalls
66
owner complaints to NHTSA
1 / 5
complaints citing a crash / fire
18–21
MPG combined (EPA)

7 safety recalls for the 2003 Audi A6

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Tank assembly (fuel system)

    NHTSA 11V267000 Reported 5,992 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

    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…

    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.

  2. Tank assembly (fuel system)

    NHTSA 08V157000 Reported 68,240 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

    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…

    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.

  3. Fuel pump (fuel system)

    NHTSA 07V375000 Reported 34,358 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

    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.

    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…

  4. Electrical system

    NHTSA 06V198000 Reported 70,512 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

    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…

    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.

  5. Fuel pump (fuel system)

    NHTSA 06V017000 Reported 74,000 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

    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.

    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.

  6. Electrical system

    NHTSA 04V133000 Reported 172,866 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

    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.

    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…

  7. Air bags: frontal

    NHTSA 02V275000 Reported 170 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

    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.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bags. Owner notification began november 18, 2002. Owners should contact audi at 1-800-822-2834.

66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2003 Audi A6 have filed 66 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a crash and 5 describe a fire. Reports cite 1 injury and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 75,791 miles. Complaints peaked in 2010 with 9 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“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”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 31, 2021 · Fuel/propulsion system

“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”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 8, 2018 · Engine

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2003 Audi A6 (A6 Avant quattro, A6 quattro). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined18–21 mpg
City / Highway15–18 / 23–25
FuelPremium
EPA classMidsize Cars, Midsize Station Wagons
Engine6/8 cyl, 2.7/3/4.2 L
TransmissionAutomatic (S5); Automatic (variable gear ratios); Manual 6-spd

Compare Audi A6 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Audi A6 model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1994 Audi A612
1995 Audi A6216
1996 Audi A6251
1997 Audi A6220
1998 Audi A610130
1999 Audi A69217
2000 Audi A64148
2001 Audi A67113
2002 Audi A6488
2003 Audi A6766
2004 Audi A6435
2005 Audi A6391
2006 Audi A6467
2007 Audi A6453
2008 Audi A6471
2009 Audi A6421
2010 Audi A6317
2011 Audi A6321
2012 Audi A6859
2013 Audi A6652
2014 Audi A6441
2015 Audi A6422
2016 Audi A6351
2017 Audi A6320
2018 Audi A6211
2019 Audi A67114
2020 Audi A6925
2021 Audi A61117
2022 Audi A652
2023 Audi A612
2024 Audi A613
2025 Audi A626
2026 Audi A606

Checking a specific 2003 Audi A6

How do I know if my 2003 Audi A6 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 7 campaigns currently list the 2003 Audi A6; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Audi dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 02V275000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Audi models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.