2003 AUDI A6 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

85

Owner Complaints

1 Crash 7 Fires

7

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

10

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2003 AUDI A6

The 2003 AUDI A6 has received a total of 85 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 7 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. 10 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (10 complaints), Fuel System Gasoline (10 complaints), and Power Trainautomatic Transmission (5 complaints).

Recalls for the 2003 AUDI A6

NHTSA has recorded 7 recalls for the 2003 AUDI A6, potentially affecting up to 426,138 vehicles.

Recall 11V267000 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

| 5,992 vehicles affected

Defect: VOLKSWAGEN 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 MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 19, 2001, THROUGH JUNE 8, 2004. 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...

Consequence: A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE NIPPLE ON THE ROLLOVER VALVE TO PREVENT LEAKAGE OR REPAIR THE CRACKING AT THE NIPPLE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.

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Recall 08V157000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

| 68,240 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

Consequence: A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE NIPPLE ON THE ROLLOVER VALVE TO PREVENT LEAKAGE OR REPAIR THE CRACKING AT THE NIPPLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 27, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.

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Recall 07V375000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

| 34,358 vehicles affected

Defect: ON 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 INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP AND, ULTIMATELY, STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO STALL.

Consequence: IF FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE IS INTERRUPTED, THE VEHICLE COULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND THUS PRESENT A POTENTIAL RISK OF CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 28, 20007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-222-8987 OR AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834. THIS RECALL IS A SUPPLEMENT TO A PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN (PLEASE SEE 06V017).

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Recall 06V198000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

| 70,512 vehicles affected

Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HALOGEN LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS, CERTAIN CONNECTOR PINS IN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CONNECTOR COME INTO CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT. NOTE: VEHICLES WITH XENON LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT AFFECTED BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT IN THESE VEHICLES CONTAINS A FUSE, WHICH PRECLUDES EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW IN THE CASE OF A SHORT CIRCUIT. AUDI...

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING OR FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS BY INSTALLING A JUMPER WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 16, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.

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Recall 06V017000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

| 74,000 vehicles affected

Defect: ON 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 IN THE FUEL PUMP CAN LEAD TO AN INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP AND, ULTIMATELY, STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO STALL.

Consequence: IF FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE IS INTERRUPTED, THE VEHICLE COULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND THUS PRESENT A POTENTIAL RISK OF CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-222-8987 OR AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.

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Recall 04V133000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

| 172,866 vehicles affected

Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, IF A DRIVER'S KNEES PUSH AGAINST THE KNEE BOLSTER (CRASH ELEMENT) LOCATED UNDER THE DASHBOARD, IT CAN CONTACT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WIRING HARNESS, AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD OCCUR.

Consequence: A FIRE COULD ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT DASHBOARD AREA.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVERING ON THE KNEE BOLSTER (CRASH ELEMENT). IN ADDITION, THE WIRING HARNESS AS WELL AS THE FELT PROTECTOR ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD CARRIER WILL BE CHECKED, AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL...

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Recall 02V275000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

| 170 vehicles affected

Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3-SPOKE SPORT STEERING WHEELS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE IGNITER FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ASSEMBLED.

Consequence: AN IMPROPERLY POSITIONED IGNITER WILL NOT ACTIVATE THE AIR BAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAGS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 18, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.

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Owner Complaints for the 2003 AUDI A6

85 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 AUDI A6. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Most Recent Complaints

#11405748 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | | 150,000 miles
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.
#11092560 | ENGINE | | 149,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI A6. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.
#11064868 | ENGINE | | 149,000 miles
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
#11004314 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | | 108,789 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. AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE "STAINING" IN THE ATTACHED PHOTO, THE LEAK WAS SIGNIFICANT DEALER THEN CALLS TO SAY THAT CAR NEEDS TO BE RETURNED TO PERFORM PRIOR RECALL ON THE NEWLY INSTALLED TANK. RECALL TO BE PERFORMED ON ONLY THE ONE ROLLOVER VALVE (DRIVER FRONT) THAT CAN BE ACCESSED WITH OUT REMOVING FUEL TANK. NOT THE VALVE THAT WAS LEAKING AND NECESSITATED THE REPLACEMENT. I REQUESTED THAT AUDI PERFORM RECALL ON ALL 4 ROLLOVER VALVES AS THEY INSTALLED A KNOWINGLY DEFECTIVE PART AND THE RISK OF ANOTHER CRACK/LEAK EXISTS. DEALER SAYS AUDI REFUSES. I HAVE MADE SEVERAL CALLS TO BOTH DEALER AND AUDI WITH NO RESPONSE FROM AUDI BEYOND A CONVERSATION WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BACK ON 5/08/2017. EMAILED DEALER ON 5/11/2017 (ATTACHED PDF) WITH MY REQUEST (AGAIN), AND HAVE RECEIVED NO CONTACT FROM AUDI. RETURNING CAR TO DEALER FOR RECALL ON THE ONE ROLLOVER VALVE ON 7/12/17. AUDI IS PUTTING THIS CAR BACK ON THE ROAD WITH THE STRONG POTENTIAL OF A FUEL LEAK.
#10985459 | STEERING | | 137,000 miles
I WAS DRIVING IN LIGHT RAIN AND SAW A SMALL PUDDLE OF WATER AHEAD SO I SLOWED DOWN AND WENT THROUGH IT AT 10MPH, ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND IS STUCK GOING RIGHT, GRINDING NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT DRIVERS WHEEL. I SOMEHOW MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICAL TO A FIRE STATION AND PARK IT THERE AFTER 30M AND ONLY GOING 20FT THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WHILE I'M PRESSING THE GAS PEDDLE THE HORRIBLE GRINDING NOISE COMES BACK AND THE CAR GOES NO WHERE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE.

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Safety Rating for the 2003 AUDI A6

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 AUDI A6 in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 AUDI A6

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 10 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 AUDI A6. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

AWA-13-04 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Audi is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty to 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle?s original in-service date for certain MY2002 through MY2006 A4 and A6 vehicles equipped with a factory- installed CVT transmission. The extension is applicable to and covers only the diagnosis and...

SB-37-09-06 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

AUDI: SWITCHING ON THE HEADLIGHTS CAUSES A LOW VOLTAGE, WHICH LEADS TO THE FAILURE OF THE DIAGNOSIS SIGNAL OF THE GEAR LEVER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE TCM RECOGNIZES A FAULT IN THE GEAR LEVER ELECTRONICS AND STORES DTC P753. *PE

SB-37-09-06 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

AUDI: SWITCHING ON THE HEADLIGHTS CAUSES A LOW VOLTAGE, WHICH LEADS TO THE FAILURE OF THE DIAGNOSIS SIGNAL OF THE GEAR LEVER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE TCM RECOGNIZES A FAULT IN THE GEAR LEVER ELECTRONICS AND STORES DTC P753. *PE

SB-37-09-06 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

AUDI: SWITCHING ON THE HEADLIGHTS CAUSES A LOW VOLTAGE, WHICH LEADS TO THE FAILURE OF THE DIAGNOSIS SIGNAL OF THE GEAR LEVER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE TCM RECOGNIZES A FAULT IN THE GEAR LEVER ELECTRONICS AND STORES DTC P753. *PE

TSB-38-09-01 — STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

AUDI: VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR. ATF PUMP BORDER BUSHING MAY FAIL AND CAUSE A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. THE ATF PUMP IS INCORPORATED IN THE VALVE BODY. THE PUMP IS NOT A SERVICEABLE PART. IMPROVED ATF PUMP INCORPORATED IN THE VALVE BODY FROM 1/04 VEHICLE PRODUCTION. *PE

TSB-17-07-12 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER

AUDI: ENGINE OIL PRESSURE IS BELOW SPECIFIED VALUE. OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT MIGHT BE ILLUMINATED OR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. REPAIRS INCLUDE REPLACING THE OIL PUMP MODULE. *PE

320501 — POWER TRAIN

MIL ILLUMINATED, DTC 17125 STORED IN TRANSMISSION FAULT MEMORY-NO DRIVEABILITY CONCERN. TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH CIRCUIT PERFORMANCE OR STUCK OFF STORED IN TRANSMISSION FAULT MEMORY. *SC

LZ — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE OXYGEN SENSOR IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM COULD FAIL, POTENTIALLY CAUSING A VEHICLE TO EXCEED FEDERAL AND/OR CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS STANDARDS, OR TO EXPERIENCE INCREASED FUEL CONSUMPTION. IF THE OXYGEN SENSOR FAILS, THE VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD WILL ILLUMINATE. REVISED LETTER TO AUDI DEALER AND AUDI EMISSIONS RECALL...

LZ — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

THE OXYGEN SENSOR IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM COULD FAIL, POTENTIALLY CAUSING A VEHICLE TO EXCEED FEDERAL AND/OR CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS STANDARDS, OR TO EXPERIENCE INCREASED FUEL CONSUMPTION. IF THE OXYGEN SENSOR FAILS, THE VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD WILL ILLUMINATE. LETTER TO AUDI DEALER AND AUDI EMISSIONS RECALL CIRCULAR...

0310 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

UPDATE PROGRAMMING (FLASHING) TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM). 2002 CABRIOLET INCLUDED. *TT

NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 AUDI A6

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the AUDI A6

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Other AUDI Models

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