2000 Audi A6 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about the ABS control module dropping out (warning lights and chimes, with ABS inactive), about fuel smells and leaks around the fuel tank, and about the instrument cluster display fading or failing. Many reports come in between roughly 60,000 and 130,000 miles, and a number of the fuel and electrical complaints describe gradual onset — a slow smell or a display that dims over months — rather than a single sudden event.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS control module loses communication (ABS light, brake

   • 21 complaints (14%)
   • median 78,500 mi at 8.2 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,150 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2004–2011

   Complaints describe the ABS light coming on steady or intermittently, the brake warning light flashing, and a chime sounding, with the ABS system not operating while the lamps are lit. Several owners say the dealer diagnosed the ABS control module as intermittently failing to communicate, and that the module can only be replaced or coded by a dealer, at costs owners quote in the several-hundred-to-few-thousand-dollar range. A few describe occasional brake pulsation under light braking while the fault is present. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 160,000 miles, in vehicles long out of warranty.

   What to check: Start the car and confirm the ABS and brake warning lamps go out after the bulb check; ask whether the ABS module has ever been replaced or coded, and have a scan tool read the ABS module for stored communication faults.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The ABS light comes on steady, the hand brake light flashed constantly, and three warning beeps are heard. A computer reading says there is no connection with the ABS unit. The ABS doesn't work at all. It sometimes occurs when I first start the car, and sometimes after driving for a while. Audi says my car is too far out of warranty (2000 w/ 77,000 mi). They won't cover any costs.”

   NHTSA complaint #10336892, filed 2010-06, 77,000 miles

   “Abs control module has failed on my 2000 Audi A6. From an internet search this appears to be an almost taken for granted repair/replacement item, I.e.; it happens to almost every vehicle. This is not an inexpensive item to replace (500-1300 dollars including labor). There are thousands of complaints, forums, blogs dedicated to this particular issue. I believe a recall is warranted. Please investigate this issue. Thank you.”

   NHTSA complaint #10257559, filed 2009-02, 157,000 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel smell and leaks from the fuel tank area

   • 18 complaints (12%)
   • median 125,549 mi at 11.0 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • filed 2004–2017

   Owners describe a strong gasoline odor inside or around the car, especially after filling the tank, and in some cases fuel dripping or pooling under the driver's side rear of the vehicle. Independent mechanics in the complaints attribute the leak to the tank itself, a rollover valve nipple, or a cracked breather connector, and several owners note the fix required replacing the whole tank. Several complaints specifically point out that a later recall for the same symptom covers newer model years but not this one. Commonly reported from roughly 90,000 to 160,000 miles, often noticed right after refueling.

   Recall 01V1570001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Smell around the driver's side rear wheel and under the car after a fill-up, look for damp or stained areas on the tank, and ask whether the tank or any fuel-line connectors have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The first time this car had any problems with anything leaking was a couple days ago when we woke up in middle of the night to house and garage smelling like gas. On driver's side rear by passenger door there was a small leak looked like oil but smelled of gas and underneath car you can see wear a small crack is at in fuel system. I see many recalls for same thing for different years and complaints filed for this same problem and year. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10852911, filed 2016-04, 125,549 miles

   “Last month I filled up my tank & after doing so had a very strong smell of gas in the cabin. I took it to an independent mechanic & he told me that I have a broken rollover valve. To replace the tank costs $2500. This is potentially a very serious issue given leaking gas! After research I found there is a recall to reinforce the valve with epoxy. Unfortunately the recall is for 2001-2004 models & mine is a 2000. The issue on my 2000 is the exact same tank/valve. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10503498, filed 2013-03, 169,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Burning smell or smoke from under the dash

   • 13 complaints (9%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 6.3 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2016

   Several complaints describe a burning plastic or electrical smell followed by smoke, and in some cases flames, coming from the air vents or from under the driver's side of the dashboard. Owners report the vehicle was parked or moving when it happened, and in some cases the car was a total loss; one owner notes the headlights and wipers came on by themselves during the event. The complaints frequently reference the earlier headlight switch wiring recalls. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 40,000 to over 200,000 miles, with no single pattern of age or use.

   Recall 06V198000Recall 04V1330001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether both headlight switch wiring recalls were performed and check for the smell of hot plastic in the cabin; have the wiring under the dash and the headlight switch connector inspected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving at highway speeds there was a burning smell coming from the vehicle. The airbag light began to flicker on and off, and then the drivers side airbag unexpectedly deployed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The consumer was told that the problem was a result of an electrical short. The short was caused by an impact under the vehicle. The consumer has no memory of any impact under the vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10066663, filed 2005-01, 45,000 miles

   “Our Audi A6 was taken to Audi rector on 12/20/11 due to an electrical burning smell coming through the air vents. Audi rector repaired the rack and pinion steering and a transmission leak. They said the smell was due to the transmission leak and would dissipate. On the trip home from Audi rector on 12/23/11, the car caught fire starting inside the driver side air vent and burned. It was completely destroyed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10448947, filed 2012-02, 203,463 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Instrument cluster display fades or goes blank

   • 11 complaints (7%)
   • median 77,500 mi at 7.5 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2012

   Complaints describe the center display in the instrument cluster losing lines, dimming, or failing completely, sometimes becoming readable again only when the car is cold or when outside temperatures are low. Owners report losing warning lamps, gear indication, fuel gauge and temperature readings, and say the dealer quoted replacing the entire cluster since the display is not serviced separately. Mostly reported between about 70,000 and 125,000 miles, with several owners noting the failure progressed gradually and that cold weather temporarily restored visibility.

   What to check: With the key on, check that every segment of the center display lights and is legible; compare readability when the car is cold versus warm, and ask whether the cluster has been repaired or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The lcd in the instrument cluster which displays any warning lamps was failing. This was a very common problem. Without use of this display I will not know if I have a check engine light, brake failure light or so forth. I know over 100 people with this same problem ,and I am not making this up.”

   NHTSA complaint #10193702, filed 2007-06, 114,000 miles

   “The information on the digital readout is all screwed up. Sometimes the tops of the letters are missing, other times the bottoms are missing. Makes it impossible to read information on dashboard.”

   NHTSA complaint #10245438, filed 2008-10, 80,000 miles
5. 5
   Suspension

   Front control arm and tie rod wear

   • 12 complaints (8%)
   • median 49,500 mi at 4.8 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2015

   Owners describe crunching or clunking noises when starting off or stopping slowly, vibration through the steering wheel, and loose steering that makes it hard to hold a lane. Complaints report worn front upper control arms and tie rod ends needing replacement, sometimes in the 25,000 to 55,000 mile range, and dealers treating the wear as a normal maintenance item rather than a covered repair. Reported from about 24,000 to 95,000 miles, with several cases in the 25,000 to 55,000 mile range.

   What to check: During a test drive listen for clunks over bumps and at low-speed stops, feel for steering play or wander, and have the front ball joints and tie rod ends checked on a lift before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Premature failure of both tie rod ends and all upper control arms in front suspension, resulting in loose steering, difficulty in maintaining lane position, and vibration in steering while driving and braking. All tie rod ends and front suspension upper control arms (4) required replacement; if left not replaced, potential for catastrophic loss of steering and/or suspension collapse if any one of the 6 affected ball joints fail. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10096253, filed 2004-10, 50,000 miles

   “Dt: the contact purchased a 2000 Audi A6 in august 2003. The vehicle had 93,000 miles on it when purchased. The contact was not sure weather or not the 90,000 miles service was completed because he was not supplied with service records by Audi. A local dealer completed this work several months after this car was purchased. Later, the vehicle failed inspection because of wear on the control arms. This failure occurred in july 2004. The control arms were replaced by a local repair shop or Audi specialist, not the dealer. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10136243, filed 2005-09, 93,000 miles

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the ABS module, the front suspension joints, and the fuel tank area, and pull the cluster display and recall history before agreeing on a price. Repair bills for the ABS module, cluster and fuel tank can be substantial on these cars, so a documented service history matters as much as mileage.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.