2000 Audi A6 Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026

Caution

Ranks 19th of 22 A6 years we score.

Owner complaints: 148; 2 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 55.5; 26,292 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 1.2×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 24; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 4
NHTSA crash rating: –

2001 A6 →

Should You Buy the 2000 Audi A6?

Only after careful checks. Our reliability score for the 2000 Audi A6 is 67 out of 100, which rates Caution. Owners reported about 1.2 times as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 19th of the 22 A6 years we score.

The most reported problem is the ABS (22 of 148 complaints). Owners also complain about the instrument cluster and fuel tank or fuel lines. 24 of the 148 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 4 recalls. For comparison, the 2001 scores 71.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

ABS failure22 complaints
Instrument cluster: stopped working20 complaints
Fuel leak16 complaints

How the 2000 A6 Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	0.78×	−16
Everyday problems	2.2×	−11
Problems in the last two years	Not counted	–
Recalls	1.1×	−6
Score		67

Problems in the last two years are not counted for the 2000 A6. If it were exactly average, its 26,292 cars would draw about 0.2 complaints in two years at this age, too few to compare. Their 30% moves to serious and everyday problems, which count for 80% of this score instead of 50%.

What Owners Report

We read all 148 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2000 Audi A6, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first. A complaint that describes more than one problem is counted under each, so the counts add up to more than 148.

ABS failure
22 complaints (15%)
A failure, warning lights and problems that come and go. 3 of these 22 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of braking. Median mileage when it started: about 78,000 miles.
Instrument cluster: stopped working
20 complaints (14%)
A feature that stopped working, problems that come and go and a failure that needed a new part. Median mileage when it started: about 76,000 miles.
Fuel leak
16 complaints (11%)
A leak, parts breaking or coming apart and a failure. 2 of these 16 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 112,000 miles.
Steering: early wear
12 complaints (8%)
Early wear, a failure and unusual noises. Median mileage when it started: about 50,000 miles.
Tires: parts breaking or coming apart
9 complaints (6%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, damage and shattering or cracking. 2 of these 9 complaints describe a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 25,000 miles.
Wiring, fuses or body control module failure
8 complaints (5%)
A failure, a fire and smoke or a burning smell. 4 of these 8 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a fire. Median mileage when it started: about 65,000 miles.
Cooling system: parts breaking or coming apart
7 complaints (5%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, smoke or a burning smell and overheating. Median mileage when it started: about 48,000 miles.
Ball joints and control arms: early wear
6 complaints (4%)
Early wear and a failure. Median mileage when it started: about 61,000 miles.
Brakes: vibration or shudder
6 complaints (4%)
Vibration or shudder, undersized rotors and rust or corrosion. 3 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 29,000 miles.
Fire (cause not stated)
6 complaints (4%)
A fire. All 6 describe a serious outcome, most often a fire. Median mileage when it started: about 75,000 miles.
Check engine light (cause not stated)
5 complaints (3%)
Warning lights. Median mileage when it started: about 45,000 miles.
Transmission failure
5 complaints (3%)
A failure that needed a new part and stalling. 2 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Airbag warning light failure
4 complaints (3%)
A failure, warning lights and a stored fault code. Median mileage when it started: about 90,000 miles.
Uneven tire wear: early wear
4 complaints (3%)
Early wear.
Engine: rough running or misfires
4 complaints (3%)
Rough running or misfires, a failure and reduced power or limp mode. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome.

Show 14 more problems

Engine oil leak
4 complaints (3%)
A leak. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 33,000 miles.
Turbocharger failure
4 complaints (3%)
A failure that needed a new part and shattering or cracking. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 44,000 miles.
Engine failure: locking up
3 complaints (2%)
Locking up, damage and a failure that needed a new part. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Exhaust or catalytic converter failure
3 complaints (2%)
A failure and a stored fault code. Median mileage when it started: about 79,000 miles.
Fuel gauge or level sensor: wrong readings
3 complaints (2%)
Wrong readings.
Fuel system: a leak
3 complaints (2%)
A leak and a bad smell. Median mileage when it started: about 135,000 miles.
CV axles: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart.
Exterior lights: stopped working
2 complaints (1%)
A feature that stopped working and unusual noises.
Frontal airbags: deployment with no crash
2 complaints (1%)
Deployment with no crash and no deployment in a crash. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: an airbag problem.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
2 complaints (1%)
A loss of power and reduced power or limp mode.
Mirrors: a leak
2 complaints (1%)
A leak and damage.
Suspension (part not stated): early wear
2 complaints (1%)
Early wear.
Trunk latch: not closing or latching
2 complaints (1%)
Not closing or latching.
Power windows or regulator failure
2 complaints (1%)
A failure and problems that come and go.

Reported Once (29)

Show the 29 problems reported once

AWD or rear differential: vibration or shudder
Airbags failure
Cabin odor or mold: a bad smell
Several warning lights at once
Door latches: not closing or latching
Engine sensors or computer failure
Fumes in cabin (cause not stated)
Headlights: water leaking in
Screen and audio: the system acting on its own
Interior trim: parts breaking or coming apart
Oil pressure: warning lights
Accelerator pedal: sticking or stiffness
Brake light switch failure
Cruise control: not shutting off
Engine vent tubing: parts breaking or coming apart
Interior lights: stopped working
Lights (location not stated): works on and off
Serpentine belt: parts breaking or coming apart
Seat belts: not releasing
Car not starting (cause not stated)
Sunroof failure
Taillights or brake lights: works on and off
Timing belt failure
Transmission fluid leak
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
Vibration (cause not stated)
Wheel bearings failure
Wheel rim: shattering or cracking
Windows or locks or sunroof (operate by themselves): the system acting on its own

How the 2000 Audi A6 Compares With Other Years

The other A6 years of the 5th generation (C5), 2000 to 2004, and the years just before and after it.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2005	Good	72	0.84×	28.1	3	Parking brake: not releasing
2004	Good	77	0.51×	15.8	4	Fuel leak
2003	Caution	69	0.95×	28.1	7	Fuel leak
2002	Caution	69	1.0×	34.1	4	Fuel leak
2001	Good	71	0.77×	26.8	7	Brakes: loss of braking
2000 This year	Caution	67	1.2×	55.5	4	ABS failure

See every A6 year

2000 Audi A6 Recalls

Four recalls cover the 2000 Audi A6. The most recent was issued in January 2020: “Air Bag Inflators May Underinflate Bag.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Air Bag Inflators May Underinflate Bag
Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, possibly causing the air bag to deploy improperly in the event of a crash. In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag may not properly protect the occupant, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
NHTSA 20V056000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 31, 2020. By the second quarter of 2023, 2% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Crossmember Cover/Drivers Side Dash Fire
Audi S6 and S6 avant vehicles are all equipped with xenon low beam headlights and, therefore, are not longer affected by this recall. This condition could lead to overheating or fire.
NHTSA 06V198000 Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 5, 2006.
Vw/Drivers Side Dash Fire
A fire could originate in the left dashboard area.
NHTSA 04V133000 Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 18, 2004.
Vw/Fuel Sending Units
Running out of fuel without warning while the fuel gauge indicates that there is sufficient fuel in the tank lead to safety problems.
NHTSA 01V157000Issued May 3, 2001.

2000 Audi A6 NHTSA Investigations

NHTSA has opened four investigations that cover the 2000 Audi A6. Two led to a recall and two others have closed.

Brake and clutch pedal bracket
Closed
NHTSA's preliminary evaluation looked into the brake and clutch pedal bracket on 1998-2001 Audi A4 and A6 cars. NHTSA's record has no summary of what it found or how it ended.
Jan 23, 2002 to Jul 12, 2002
Driver's side dashboard fires
Closed
NHTSA's preliminary evaluation looked into fires on the driver's side of the dashboard in 1999-2000 Audi A6 cars. NHTSA had 22 complaints, 11 for each model year. Audi was testing to find the origin and cause of the fire. NHTSA's record does not say how the evaluation ended.
Jul 25, 2003 to Nov 25, 2003
Dash fires from wiring rubbing on a knee bolster
Led to a recall
NHTSA's engineering analysis looked into driver's side dash fires in 1999-2000 Audi A6 cars. Audi found the knee bolster under the dash rubbed a wiring harness until wires touched the metal and started a fire. Audi recalled about 186,000 model year 1998-2004 A6 cars under 04V-133 to add a plastic cap that stops the rubbing.
NHTSA EA03025 Closing report (PDF)Nov 25, 2003 to May 7, 2004
Dash fires after the knee bolster recall repair
Led to a recall
NHTSA's recall query looked into driver's side dash fires in 1998-2000 Audi A6 and S6 cars. It received nine complaints of fires after the recall 04V-133 repair. Audi said the headlight switch wiring could still touch the crossmember if dealers installed the first recall's cover improperly. Audi issued recall 06V-198 for about 66,358 cars, adding a larger cover.
NHTSA RQ06003 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Feb 27, 2006 to Jul 20, 2006

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2000 A6, from its four recalls and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Air Bag Inflators May Underinflate Bag NHTSA 20V056000
Crossmember Cover/Drivers Side Dash Fire NHTSA 06V198000
Vw/Drivers Side Dash Fire NHTSA 04V133000
Vw/Fuel Sending Units NHTSA 01V157000

On the Test Drive

Brake firmly from a moderate speed. A soft, hard or pulsing pedal, or a brake warning light, is a warning sign.
Test the screen, audio and phone connection for freezing or rebooting.
Turn the wheel fully left and right, parked and at low speed. Sticking, notches or stiffness are warning signs.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

ABS
Instrument cluster
Fuel tank or fuel lines
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All A6 Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Audi may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.