2003 Audi A6 Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 32%of 66 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,600miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Audi A6, 32% of the 66 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,600 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 4 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.
“The gas tank or components of the tank are leaking gas when more than a small amount of gas is put into the tank. Gas leaks all over the ground from the tank and the cabin fills with gas fumes. My 18 son has been driving this car and I will not allow him or anyone else to drive the car now. After reading online that many people have this same problem, I am shocked that this is not a recall when it could be potentially life threatening and that Audi wants to charge 3k to lower the tank and repair.”
NHTSA complaint #11405748, filed 2021-03, 150,000 miles“My 2003 Audi A6 quattro sputtered, choked and died as I tried to pull into traffic. The vehicle did restart and then did the same thing as I tried to pull out onto another road, and completely failed. Vehicle had to pushed out of traffic and to the side of the road with assistance, then towed to nearby garage. Diagnosed that fuel pump was cause of failure. Mechanic said they could tap on the fuel pump to get it to run, which confirmed that it was the cause of failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #10266590, filed 2009-04, 66,193 miles“Aoa has failed to take responsibility for a safety related defect in my Audi A6 fuel system. Given a NHTSA product safety gas storage tank recall, I believe aoa are liable for this safety related defect. On june 26th, 2009 hoffman Audi, east hartford ct, service manager jim orman orally informed me that aoa will take no further action in this matter, the reasons provided were: 1) recall was on other side of the tank - this particular valve was not part of the recall and they've seen only a few others with issues. ?there was no possible way this could occur during the recall repair.? …”
NHTSA complaint #10275363, filed 2009-06, 77,000 miles“Failure to accelerate. I experience major delays in any acceleration immediately after I have depressed the brake (at any speed) and then try to reaccelerate. I understand that this is a common complaint among all Audi tiptronic owners regardless of engine type. It is not, as Audi tries to say, turbo lag. In almost every failure to date, I have almost been involved in an accident due to this problem. Had other drivers been less attentive, I most surely would have been struck. I am hesitant to pull out into any volume of traffic with this persistent problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10043066, filed 2003-10, 3,200 miles“Check engine light on, vehicle will not pass emissions testing. Audi determined that it was due to a fuel leak from a crack in the passenger side rear rollover valve. Vehicle had been recalled in past for similar issue (performed). Tank has 4 rollover valves, only one (front driver) included in prior recall. Initial quoted $3,300 to replace tank. Audi offered to pay for replacement tank with the exception of ~$600 (repair order attached). Repair completed on 2/23/2017, car passes state inspection. …”
NHTSA complaint #11004314, filed 2017-07, 108,789 milesRelated recalls
- 11V267000May 3, 2011Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 audi a6, model year 2002-2003 s6 and model year 2003 rs6 vehicles equipped with 4.2l engines and…Covers: Audi A6 2001–2004, S6 2002–2003, RS6 2003
- 08V157000Apr 8, 2008Volkswagen 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…Covers: Audi A6 2001–2004, Allroad 2001–2005
- 07V375000Aug 28, 2007On certain vehicles equipped with 1.8l turbo, 2.8l v6, or 3.0l engines, a change in the electrical motor components in the fuel pump can lead to an…Covers: Audi A6 2003, Volkswagen Passat 2003, Audi A4 2003
- 06V017000Jan 23, 2006On certain vehicles produced from september 2002 - march 2003, equipped with 1.8l turbo, 2.8l v6, or 3.0l engines, a change in the electrical motor components…Covers: Audi A6 2003, Volkswagen Passat 2003, Audi A4 2003
Related service bulletins
- 10123656Dec 10, 2015Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 20 number 13-29 dated November 15, 2013. The fuel tank has been removed from the vehicle and must be neutralized before shipment or…
- 10119940Mar 9, 2015Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 01 number 13-09 dated June 21, 2013. The use of contaminated gasoline or gasoline with a low content of deposit control additives may…
- 10228314Jun 21, 2013The use of contaminated gasoline or gasoline with a low content of deposit control additives may result in one or more conditions.
- 10224993Jun 21, 2013The use of contaminated gasoline or gasoline with a low content of deposit control additives may result in one or more conditions.
- 10221966Jun 21, 2013The use of contaminated gasoline or gasoline with a low content of deposit control additives may result in one or more conditions.
- 10123591Jun 21, 2013Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 00 number 10-01 dated February 5, 2010. Excessive accumulation of deposits on intake valves, intake manifold, fuel injectors and…
- 10015098Apr 12, 2005Fuel injectors, unnecessary replacement. Update.
- 10012766Feb 15, 2005Fuel injectors, unnecessary replacement.
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 29% |
| 2025 | 1 | 17% |
| 2021 | 1 | 6% |
| 2020 | 1 | 4% |
| 2019 | 2 | 2% |
| 2018 | 4 | 36% |
| 2016 | 9 | 18% |
| 2015 | 2 | 9% |
| 2014 | 8 | 20% |
| 2013 | 8 | 15% |
| 2012 | 11 | 18% |
| 2008 | 3 | 4% |
| 2007 | 2 | 4% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 9 | 26% |
| 2003 | 21 | 32% |
| 2002 | 15 | 17% |
| 2001 | 19 | 17% |
| 2000 | 23 | 16% |
| 1999 | 39 | 18% |
| 1998 | 35 | 27% |
| 1997 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2003 Audi A6
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsTires
6 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Audi A6
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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