2001 Audi A6 Reliability Report

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

Good

Ranks 13th of 22 A6 years we score.

Owner complaints: 113; 4 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 26.8; 40,743 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.77×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 34; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 7
NHTSA crash rating: –

← 2000 A6 2002 A6 →

Should You Buy the 2001 Audi A6?

Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2001 Audi A6 is 71 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported fewer problems than for the average car of the same age. It ranks 13th of the 22 A6 years we score.

The most reported problem is the brakes, mostly loss of braking (11 of 113 complaints). Owners also complain about fuel tank or fuel lines and the ABS. 34 of the 113 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 7 recalls. For comparison, the 2000 scores 67 and the 2002 scores 69.

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

Good reliability score of 71
Fewer problems than the average car its age
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

Brakes: loss of braking11 complaints
Fuel leak9 complaints
ABS: warning lights8 complaints

How the 2001 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	0.71×	−14
Everyday problems	0.92×	−7
Problems in the last two years	Not counted	–
Recalls	1.7×	−8
Score		71

Problems in the last two years are not counted for the 2001 A6. If it were exactly average, its 40,743 cars would draw about 0.3 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 113 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 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 113.

Brakes: loss of braking
11 complaints (10%)
Loss of braking, unusual noises and vibration or shudder. 5 of these 11 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of braking. In 4 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 14,000 miles.
Fuel leak
9 complaints (8%)
A leak and a failure. Median mileage when it started: about 85,000 miles.
ABS: warning lights
8 complaints (7%)
Warning lights, a failure and soft pedal. Median mileage when it started: about 113,000 miles.
Tires: parts breaking or coming apart
7 complaints (6%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and damage. 1 of these 7 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of steering control.
Transmission failure
7 complaints (6%)
A failure, harsh or delayed shifts and hesitation. 2 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 62,000 miles.
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
6 complaints (5%)
No deployment in a crash and deployment with no crash. 1 of these 6 complaints describes a serious outcome: a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 71,000 miles.
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
6 complaints (5%)
Hesitation. 3 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 29,000 miles.
Engine oil leak
5 complaints (4%)
A leak. Median mileage when it started: about 71,000 miles.
Wiring, fuses or body control module: a fire
5 complaints (4%)
A fire and damage. 3 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a fire. Median mileage when it started: about 53,000 miles.
Airbag warning light
4 complaints (4%)
Warning lights and a failure.
Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
4 complaints (4%)
Water leaking in.
Headlights: damage
4 complaints (4%)
Damage and water leaking in. Median mileage when it started: about 96,000 miles.
PCV valve or crankcase breather: sticking or stiffness
3 complaints (3%)
Sticking or stiffness and parts breaking or coming apart. Median mileage when it started: about 65,000 miles.
Airbags: stopped working
3 complaints (3%)
A feature that stopped working, deployment with no crash and no deployment in a crash. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an injury.
Fuel gauge or level sensor: wrong readings
3 complaints (3%)
Wrong readings. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.

Show 13 more problems

Fuel system: a leak
3 complaints (3%)
A leak and a bad smell.
Instrument cluster: stopped working
3 complaints (3%)
A feature that stopped working and problems that come and go. Median mileage when it started: about 88,000 miles.
Timing chain or camshaft: a leak
3 complaints (3%)
A leak and parts breaking or coming apart. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 76,000 miles.
Check engine light (cause not stated)
2 complaints (2%)
Warning lights and a stored fault code.
Cooling system: a leak
2 complaints (2%)
A leak and shattering or cracking.
Exhaust or catalytic converter: fault code
2 complaints (2%)
A stored fault code and a fire. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a fire.
Exterior lights: a fire
2 complaints (2%)
A fire and a failure. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a fire.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
2 complaints (2%)
A loss of power. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Seats: a fire
2 complaints (2%)
A fire and a failure. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a fire.
Side or curtain airbags: deployment with no crash
2 complaints (2%)
Deployment with no crash. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: an airbag problem.
Steering failure
2 complaints (2%)
A failure that needed a new part.
Transmission computer: damage
2 complaints (2%)
Damage.
Wheel rim: damage
2 complaints (2%)
Damage.

Reported Once (23)

Show the 23 problems reported once

12V battery failure
Ball joints and control arms: early wear
Coil spring: parts breaking or coming apart
Control module (unspecified): water leaking in
Engine failure: damage
Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
Engine oil sludge: coking
Frame or structure: damage
Fuel filler door failure
Horn: sticking or stiffness
Mirrors: water leaking in
Oil pressure failure
ABS heat shield failure
Accelerator pedal: sticking or stiffness
Alternator bracket: parts breaking or coming apart
Fire (cause not stated)
Oil cooler: damage
Serpentine belt failure
Washer reservoir: shattering or cracking
Seat belts failure
Stall (cause not stated)
Taillights or brake lights: stopped working
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)

How the 2001 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 This year	Good	71	0.77×	26.8	7	Brakes: loss of braking
2000	Caution	67	1.2×	55.5	4	ABS failure

See every A6 year

2001 Audi A6 Recalls

Seven recalls cover the 2001 Audi A6. The most recent was issued in May 2011: “Fuel Tank Rollover Valve.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Fuel Tank Rollover Valve, May 2011
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could lead to a vehicle fire.
NHTSA 11V267000 Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 3, 2011.
Fuel Tank Rollover Valve, April 2008
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could lead to a vehicle fire.
NHTSA 08V157000 Owner letter (PDF)Issued Apr 8, 2008.
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/Axle Load
110, "tire selection and rims." the calculated "vehicle normal load" exceeds the allowable weight of the axle load with tire dimension 225/45r 17 91y by 19kg. Certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.7l engines fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
NHTSA 03V143000Issued Apr 7, 2003.
Vw/Windshield Wiper
If that happens, the wiper blades, because they overlap wiping areas, could become entangled with each other and cease functioning. This could impair the driver's visibility.
NHTSA 01V202000Issued Jun 18, 2001.

Show 1 more recalls

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.

2001 Audi A6 NHTSA Investigations

NHTSA has opened two investigations that cover the 2001 Audi A6. One led to a recall and one other has 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
Fuel leaking from the top of the fuel tank
Led to a recall
NHTSA looked into fuel leaking from the top of the tank on 2001-2005 Audi A6 Quattro and Allroad Quattro cars. It had 17 complaints since 2006. A material change in the rollover valve and an inflexible aluminum vent line could crack a valve fitting. Recall 08V-157 has Audi reinforce the valve with epoxy adhesive. NHTSA closed the investigation.
NHTSA PE08008 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Jan 31, 2008 to May 30, 2008

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2001 A6, from its seven recalls and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

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

Fuel Tank Rollover Valve, May 2011 NHTSA 11V267000
Fuel Tank Rollover Valve, April 2008 NHTSA 08V157000
Crossmember Cover/Drivers Side Dash Fire NHTSA 06V198000
Vw/Drivers Side Dash Fire NHTSA 04V133000
Vw/Axle Load NHTSA 03V143000
Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 7 recalls and which are still open.

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.
Look for uneven tire wear and listen for clunks or humming that changes with speed.
Accelerate gently from a stop and again at 20 to 40 mph. Shudder, slipping or harsh shifts are warning signs. Ask for the transmission fluid records.

Ask the Seller

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

Brakes
Fuel tank or fuel lines
ABS
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.