Model year
2003 Audi A6
NHTSA lists 7 recalls and 66 complaints for the 2003 Audi A6 (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (10), FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE (10), POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (5). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 18–21 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,900–$4,550, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 148 complaints
- 2001 113 complaints
- 2002 88 complaints
- 2003 66 complaints
- 2004 35 complaints
- 2005 91 complaints
- 2006 67 complaints
- 2007 53 complaints
- 2008 71 complaints
- 2009 21 complaints
- 2010 17 complaints
- 2011 21 complaints
- 2012 60 complaints
- 2013 52 complaints
- 2014 41 complaints
- 2015 22 complaints
- 2016 51 complaints
- 2017 20 complaints
- 2018 11 complaints
- 2019 114 complaints
- 2020 26 complaints
- 2021 18 complaints
- 2022 2 complaints
- 2023 2 complaints
- 2024 3 complaints
- 2025 6 complaints
- 2026 7 complaints
Recalls
11V267000 · May 3, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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…
08V157000 · Apr 8, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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…
07V375000 · Aug 28, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
06V198000 · Jun 5, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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…
06V017000 · Jan 23, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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…
04V133000 · Mar 18, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
02V275000 · Oct 9, 2002
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
Complaints
66 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 1, fire flag on 5, injury field 1, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE08008 | FUEL TANK LEAK · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY; FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES | Jan 31, 2008 | May 30, 2008 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A6 · 3L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 25 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| A6 quattro · 2.7L · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| A6 quattro · 2.7L · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| A6 quattro · 3L · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 24 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| A6 quattro · 4.2L · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 15 | 23 | 18 | — | — | $4,550 |
| A6 Avant quattro · 3L · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 24 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 Audi A6 at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.