2002 Audi A6 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 17%of 88 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Audi A6, 17% of the 88 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,500 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1. Car seized after going through car wash; prior to that, car had experienced odd electrical issues, such as the radio turning itself on and off and the alarm going off for no apparent reason. Car is still under both the Audi of america warranty and maintenance programs. 2. Engine seized. 3. The repairs require at least a new engine at the cost of at least $13,000.00. Here is my analysis of why I think Audi is trying to prevent this design defect from reaching state and federal regulators. …”
NHTSA complaint #10140377, filed 2005-10, 45,000 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. After approx 50 miles - digital dash display disappeared, car started to jerk around and buck. …”
NHTSA complaint #10221267, filed 2008-03, 62,000 miles“After parking the car it caught on fire from the dashboard the firemen came and extinguished the fire and said it was from the electrical fire from the dashboard.”
NHTSA complaint #10465158, filed 2012-07, 90,000 miles“The Audi was stopped at a stop light when the RPM meter started to drop revs suddenly. Once the car was in motion the engine felt rough. The car was driven 3 miles with no further incidence and was parked for the night. The next day when the car was started in the morning the check engine light came on and the engine started to get very sluggish and shuddering. The car was immediately stopped and the diagnostic codes were pulled. The codes showed multiple cylinder misfires with specific misfires in cylinder 2 and three. The car was towed to an Audi dealer where this was confirmed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10479603, filed 2012-10, 70,290 miles“2002 Audi A6 with a belt failure. Consumer states that he did research about this failure and found out other people have had the problem too. He stated that when the water pump and thermostat was replaced or fixed the timing belt was not. The consumer stated his engine overheated and smoke began to emit from the engine. The consumer was informed the water pump to the coolant wasn't functioning properly. Prior to the incident, the check engine light illuminated, faulty coils were replaced and the vehicle had a leaking coolant bottle.”
NHTSA complaint #10220593, filed 2008-03, 63,000 milesRelated recalls
- 06V198000Jun 5, 2006On certain passenger vehicles equipped with halogen low beam headlights, certain connector pins in the headlight switch connector come into contact with each…Covers: Audi A6 1998–2004, Allroad 2001–2005
- 04V133000Mar 18, 2004On certain passenger vehicles, if a driver's knees push against the knee bolster (crash element) located under the dashboard, it can contact the headlight…Covers: Audi A6 1998–2004, S6 1998–2004, Allroad 2001–2004 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 10166284Sep 17, 201900 Software Version Management (SVM), operating instructions
- 10164518Aug 28, 2019This communication is issued to inform dealers of updated shipping regulations related to lithium ion batteries.
- 10128205Mar 23, 2017This informational bulletin contains instructions for sychronizing the remote key after the battery has been disconnected or replaced.
- 10123775Sep 21, 2015Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 96 number 13-67 dated July 10, 2013. The customer may report that the handheld transmitter cannot be programmed to the garage door…
- 10120052May 29, 2015Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 97 number 10-15 dated October 20, 2010. Sporadic fault memory entries are stored in various control modules. Contacts may be widened…
- 10119956Mar 20, 2015Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 91 number 14-69 dated November 4, 2014. The following message appears on the MMI display: "Device or cable type not supported". The…
- 10224981Dec 10, 2014High quality media files (video and sound) are now integrated into technical service bulletins on a case-by-case basis. Media files can now be viewed on any smartphone or tablet.
- 10124882Dec 10, 2014High quality media files (video and sound) are now integrated into technical service bulletins on a case-by-case basis. Media files can now be viewed on any smartphone or tablet…
- 10228297Jul 15, 2014This Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) details the general process for carrying out a Software Version Management (SVM) software update for any TSB or Update.
- 10122522Jul 15, 2014Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 00 number 12-32 dated February 7, 2012. This Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) details the general process for carrying out a Software…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 71% |
| 2025 | 2 | 33% |
| 2021 | 11 | 61% |
| 2020 | 18 | 69% |
| 2019 | 84 | 74% |
| 2018 | 1 | 9% |
| 2017 | 2 | 10% |
| 2016 | 8 | 16% |
| 2015 | 3 | 14% |
| 2014 | 2 | 5% |
| 2013 | 7 | 13% |
| 2012 | 13 | 22% |
| 2011 | 3 | 14% |
| 2010 | 2 | 12% |
| 2009 | 1 | 5% |
| 2008 | 7 | 10% |
| 2007 | 6 | 11% |
| 2006 | 13 | 19% |
| 2005 | 16 | 18% |
| 2004 | 3 | 9% |
| 2003 | 14 | 21% |
| 2002 | 15 | 17% |
| 2001 | 14 | 12% |
| 2000 | 36 | 24% |
| 1999 | 37 | 17% |
| 1998 | 8 | 6% |
| 1997 | 14 | 70% |
| 1996 | 38 | 75% |
| 1995 | 10 | 63% |
Other parts of the 2002 Audi A6
15 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Audi A6
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology