2002 Audi A6 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe fuel leaking from the tank area after filling up (notably the rollover valve nipple and the tank top), ignition coil failures that leave the engine rough or a car that needs towing, and intermittent ABS/ESP activation with brake-pedal switch trouble. Many reports come at moderate to higher mileage, and several symptoms are described as replaying after an earlier repair, with owners often noting their vehicle was not covered by the related campaign.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel smell and leaks from the tank area

   • 11 complaints (13%)
   • median 72,000 mi at 8.0 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $2,500 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2006–2020

   Owners describe a strong gasoline smell around the rear of the car and, in several cases, fuel pooling under the vehicle or running onto the ground, most often right after filling the tank. Several say the leak stops once the level drops below about three-quarters full. Dealers variously resealed the tank, attributed the leak to the rollover valve nipple or to cracks in the top of the tank, and in some cases told owners the repair was not covered by a campaign because their vehicle was not included. Typically reported between about 40,000 and 145,000 miles, usually right after a fill-up.

   Recall 08V157000Recall 11V2670001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel tank rollover valve campaign was performed on this vehicle, and inspect under and around the tank for stains or odor after a fill-up. Filling only to three-quarters as an owner is not a fix.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This complaint is related to an Audi recall #pe08008 issued in may, 2008 and relates to the failure of the a plastic nipple on the gas tank that fails due to stress. According to Audi, my vehicle did not fall within the parameters of the recall per my VIN . According to your notice it covers my 2002 Audi, but only for the 2.8, 2.7 and 3.0 engine on the quattro sedan and the 2.7 and 4.2 on the allroad. My Audi is a quattro 4.2 sedan. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10279502, filed 2009-08, 76,000 miles

   “Nhtsa campaign number: 08v157000 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 valve nipple may lead to cracking of the nipple. If this happens, a fuel leak may result. This is the 3rd time I've made a complaint. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10392930, filed 2011-03, 80,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Ignition coil failure, misfires and rough running

   • 14 complaints (16%)
   • median 42,917 mi at 4.2 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • filed 2002–2011

   Complaints describe the engine running rough or losing power, the check engine light coming on, and codes for multiple cylinder misfires; some cars stalled or had to be towed. Owners often report that one or more coils were replaced and that dealers advised the remaining coils could also fail later. In some reports a damaged catalytic converter followed the misfires, and owners say they received no assistance with that part. Reported from as low as 2,000 to about 127,000 miles, with many between roughly 9,000 and 100,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask for service records showing how many coils were replaced and when; a scan for stored misfire codes before purchase is worthwhile.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving on highway when engine started running very rough, engine light came on. Stopped and consulted manual regarding engine light, said to drive at reduced speed to Audi dealer. Engine ran rough, floor of car heated up, smoke and odor started coming from exhaust. Dealer had to replace ignition coils, catalytic converter and o2 sensor. Consequences: car became interoperable and extreme toxic air pollution.”

   NHTSA complaint #10316904, filed 2010-03, 127,254 miles

   “While driving, the vehicle jerks forward. The mechanic indicated that the one out of the six cylinder coil had broke, and this is common problem with this vehicle because of the design. They also indicated that the remaining five coils will also break. Ts”

   NHTSA complaint #10001334, filed 2002-12, 4,300 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Intermittent ABS/ESP activation and brake-pedal switch

   • 10 complaints (11%)
   • median 76,000 mi at 5.2 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • filed 2005–2011

   Owners report the ABS engaging unexpectedly at ordinary speeds, the ABS/ESP light coming on intermittently, and the brake-pedal (brake light) switch failing — sometimes leaving the brake lights on continuously, sometimes keeping them from lighting. Some complaints describe the ABS pump failing and being replaced, and a few mention brake parts seizing. Dealers replaced the brake light switch or the ABS pump, and in some cases could not identify a repeatable fault. Mostly reported between roughly 25,000 and 90,000 miles, with a few at higher mileage.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check that the brake lights work correctly with the pedal and scan for ABS/ESP fault codes; ask whether the brake light switch has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Brake light switch failure. 2002 Audi A6. Car was having problems running, brake lights would stay on even when car was off, was wondering why vehicles were honking at me when I was driving. Since car is made by vw and they have a major recall ongoing with brake switch failures just like I encountered, Audi should recall all their models to fix this problem too (free of charge!) unlike me who has to pay.”

   NHTSA complaint #10186425, filed 2007-03, 82,000 miles

   “I have 3 major concerns regarding my 2002 Audi A6 3.0 quattro. I will start with the most dangerous problem first...1) the anti-lock brakes that kick in unexpectedly. The ABS/esp problem started in may, 2007, with the ABS/esp light coming on intermittently, resulting in us replacing the brake light switch. The problem didn't happen again until the anti-lock brakes kicked in, in aug., 2009. With no definite, inexpensive fix from the dealer, we decided to see if the problem persisted. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10395414, filed 2011-04, 87,000 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Water leaks into the cabin damaging electronics

   • 6 complaints (7%)
   • median 62,000 mi at 5.9 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2005–2011

   Complaints describe water pooling in the front and rear footwells after rain or a car wash, sometimes soaking the carpet. Owners link the moisture to electrical trouble: warning displays going dark, the car stalling or cutting out, the alarm or radio behaving oddly, and in some reports a control module and the battery being affected. In one case the transmission went into a reduced gear mode after water reached its control module. Most often reported between about 45,000 and 70,000 miles, typically after heavy rain, a car wash, or air-conditioning use.

   What to check: Look for damp carpet, musty odor or water stains under the mats and in the spare-wheel well, and ask whether the sunroof drains, plenum drains or A/C drain were ever cleared.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On around may 28th 2006- upon return from work that evening, the floor of my car was flooded- I was in total shock. I was about to go on vacation, I dried all the floor and aired it out etc. Upon my return from vacation, it was worse than ever- the floor was again soaked, it in turn had damaged the computer system in my car and that in turn had caused the battery to drain. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10166643, filed 2006-08, 55,000 miles

   “Driving from nj to upstate ny for ski trip to hunter mountain. Heavy rain during drive up on friday evening, rain all day saturday. Got in the car to go skiing on sunday morning and noticed several inches of water in rear passenger footwell. I was able to bale out some of the water but interior carpeting was soaked. While going to hunter, water was sloshing between passenger footwell and rear. After dropping off the skiers I decided to head home on the ny state thruway. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10221267, filed 2008-03, 62,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Coolant loss, water pump and timing belt failure

   • 5 complaints (6%)
   • median 87,500 mi at 6.0 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2012

   Owners describe coolant leaking onto the ground, steam from under the hood, and overheating, with shops tracing it to a failing water pump. Several reports connect the pump failure to the timing belt, saying the belt broke or was not replaced at the same time, and one complaint describes the engine stopping after the belt failed. Dealers replaced the water pump and timing belt after the breakdown. Usually reported from about 63,000 to 107,000 miles, often without prior temperature warning on the gauge.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for the date and mileage of the last timing belt and water pump service, check the coolant level and look for crusty residue or stains at the pump area.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This car has been great to me. Aside from a fuel pump going, just recently I was driving on the freeway and the car died. The epc light on the dash popped up and luckily I was able to coast to the side of the road. I attempted to start the car several times before calling aaa (15-20 min) while on the phone with aaa I attempted to start the car again and it fired right up. Thinking it was just a one time issue I got back on the freeway where 10 mile or so later same the same thing happened. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10458209, filed 2012-05, 180,879 miles

   “Audi A6 3.0 2005 68,000 mi. Premature water pump failure premature timing belt failure as I was pulling into a shopping center parking spot on 4/25/05, the car began to feel different and the power steering was not working. I shut car off immediately and it was steaming. I turned key on again without starting engine in order to check guages. There was no indication of overheating. Outside the car the coolant had leaked onto the ground. I had it towed by flatbed to winner Audi in wilmington, de. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10119758, filed 2005-05, 68,000 miles

Buying note. These reports centre on fuel leaks after fill-up, ignition coils and cooling-system service, so a pre-purchase inspection that includes the fuel tank area, a fault-code scan and timing belt records is worth the cost on this model year. Several complaints note the related fuel tank campaign did not cover the owner's vehicle, so confirm by VIN what recalls were completed.

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.