NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
10 reportsClear category filter87,000 miles · Apr 10, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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 HAP…
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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. IT DID, BRINGING THE CAR BACK IN SEPT., 2009 & AGAIN IN JUNE, 2010. AT THIS TIME, I HAD A PRIVATE IMPORT GARAGE REPLACE THE ROTATION RATE SENSOR, WHICH WAS WHAT THE DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM COULD BE. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED FURTHER, WITH THE LIGHT COMING ON EVERY FEW MONTHS, UNTIL THE BRAKES KICKED IN WHILE GOING 60 MPH, MAKING THE CAR SKID & JERK TO A STOP, PULLING ME OFF THE ROAD IN LATE SEPT, 2010. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY TERRIFYING! I HAD THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY, WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO VERIFY THE CONCERN. SINCE THEN, I HAVE NOT HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT AGAIN UNTIL APRIL, 2011, WHEN THE LIGHT STARTING COMING BACK ON AT RANDOM MOMENTS & NOW YESTERDAY, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES KICKED IN WHILE THE CRUISE WAS SET ON 60 MPH. I AM TERRIFIED TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. I CONTACTED AUDI OF AMERICA IN OCTOBER 2010 WITH NO HELP AVAILABLE! NOW ON TO PROBLEM #2)THE FLOODING IN THE INTERIOR FLOORBOARD CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION MODULE TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I SPENT THOUSANDS IN OCT, 2010 TO FIX PROBLEMS CAUSED BY A WATER LEAK IN THE CAR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW & DOOR CHANNELS & SEALS, SAYING THIS WAS THE PROBLEM. I FOUND THE FLOORBOARD WET AGAIN IN MARCH, 2011 & HAD TO PAY FOR THE CRACKED POLLEN FILTER HOUSING TO BE FIXED. A LITTLE HELP FROM AUDI ON THAT, BUT THESE WELL-DOCUMENTED PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR CONTINUE TO BE UN-FIXABLE. I'VE FOUND COMPLAINTS OF THESE PROBLEMS FROM OTHERS, AM CONTACTING A LAWYER ABOUT MY STATE'S LEMON LAW, & AM SO DISAPPOINTED IN AUDI! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10395414
78,000 miles · Oct 20, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI A6. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ABS ENGAGED SUDDENLY AND THEN THE VEHICLE WENT BACK TO NORMAL FUNCTION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,787.
NHTSA ODI #10361433
54,000 miles · Apr 3, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING THE COLD WEATHER SEASON THE BRAKE BOOSTER FILLED WITH WATER AND CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL. THE ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THE MANUFACTURER WI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING THE COLD WEATHER SEASON THE BRAKE BOOSTER FILLED WITH WATER AND CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL. THE ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REIMBURSE THE CONTACT FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT DONE AT AN AUDI DEALER. THE CONTACT POSSESSES THE REPAIR INVOICES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10186805
66,753 miles · Sep 15, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND HAD TO BE PULLED OVER. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN THE FRONT END BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AT A SLOW SPEED WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANOTHER INDEPE…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND HAD TO BE PULLED OVER. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN THE FRONT END BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AT A SLOW SPEED WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE ABS PUMP FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 10/6/2006 - *NM
NHTSA ODI #10168384
20,340 miles · Nov 17, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
VEHICLE SERVICE BRAKES PULSATE DURING NORMAL USE AT ALL VEHICLE SPEEDS RESULTING IN UNEVEN BRAKING ACTION AND LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES. DURING SCHEDULED WARRANTY SERVICE, REAR BRAKE ROTORS WERE FOUND TO BE WARPED BEYOND MANUFACTURER'S ALLOWABLE LIMITS. DEALER STATED THAT REPAIR WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO AN "OU…
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VEHICLE SERVICE BRAKES PULSATE DURING NORMAL USE AT ALL VEHICLE SPEEDS RESULTING IN UNEVEN BRAKING ACTION AND LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES. DURING SCHEDULED WARRANTY SERVICE, REAR BRAKE ROTORS WERE FOUND TO BE WARPED BEYOND MANUFACTURER'S ALLOWABLE LIMITS. DEALER STATED THAT REPAIR WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO AN "OUTSIDE INFLUENCE." WRITTEN MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTIES ("AUDI ADVANTAGE" AND "AUDI WARRANTY") DO NOT EXCLUDE BRAKE ROTORS. COMPLAINT NUMBER WITH AUDI OF AMERICA IS 50426113. REQUEST THAT DEALER BE DIRECTED TO MAKE REPAIRS UNDER STATED WARRANTIES TO RETURN BRAKES TO NORMAL, SAFE OPERATING CONDITION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10142968
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
OWNED THIS CAR FOR NEARLY 3 YEARS AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE PADS/ROTORS 5-6X. AUDI NO LONGER COVERS THE REPLACEMENTS OF THE ROTORS AFTER ORIGINALLY COVERING THEM UNDER THE WARRANTY. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE PROBLEM THAT CONTINUES TO REOCCUR. DEALER IN PORTLAND, OR IS OF NO HELP.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10133310
28,478 miles · May 18, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2002 AUDI A6 4.2. THIS IS THE SECOND EXACT MAKE AND MODEL THAT I HAVE OWNED. MY COMPLAINT IS TWO FOLD. FIRST AND FOREMOST, THIS PARTICULAR AUDI HAS NO REAR BRAKE PAD WEAR SENSOR. BOTH VEHICLES I OWNED HAD REAR BRAKE FAILURE. THE SECOND VECHICLE I HAD THE IDEA TO CONTINOUSLY CHECK THE REAR BRAKES. I FEEL …
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I AM THE OWNER OF A 2002 AUDI A6 4.2. THIS IS THE SECOND EXACT MAKE AND MODEL THAT I HAVE OWNED. MY COMPLAINT IS TWO FOLD. FIRST AND FOREMOST, THIS PARTICULAR AUDI HAS NO REAR BRAKE PAD WEAR SENSOR. BOTH VEHICLES I OWNED HAD REAR BRAKE FAILURE. THE SECOND VECHICLE I HAD THE IDEA TO CONTINOUSLY CHECK THE REAR BRAKES. I FEEL THAT THE NTSHA SHOULD LOOK IN TO AUDI AND THE LACK OF A BRAKE FAILURE WARING SYSTEM. SECONDLY, THE FIRST FAILURE I HAVE WAS COMPLETELY COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE CURRENT CAR WAS NOT COVERED. AUDI HAS UNILATERALLY CHAGED THER WARRANTY POLICY. THE HAVE DECIDED NO LONG TO WARRANTY WEARABLE PARTS. FOR THE RECORD THE WARRANT STATED THAT WEARABLE BRAKE PARTS ARE COVERED.
NHTSA ODI #10121335
42,000 miles · Apr 6, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2002 AUDI A6 BRAKE EQUIPMENT FAILS IN COLD WEATHER. *MR THIS WOULD OCCUR WHEN THE TEMPERATURES BELOW 10 DEGREES. *SC
NHTSA ODI #10117589
13,300 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THERE IS A SOUND OF METAL RATTLING TOWARDS THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. SOUNDS AS IF SOMETHING IS GOING TO FALL OFF THE CAR. AUDI COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM FOR 10 DAYS AND THEN SAID THEY IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS FRONT BREAK PADS COMING LOOSE. THEY REPAIRED WHAT THEY THOUGHT TO BE THE PROBLEM. WE RETURNED TO CAR TO THEIR S…
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THERE IS A SOUND OF METAL RATTLING TOWARDS THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. SOUNDS AS IF SOMETHING IS GOING TO FALL OFF THE CAR. AUDI COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM FOR 10 DAYS AND THEN SAID THEY IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS FRONT BREAK PADS COMING LOOSE. THEY REPAIRED WHAT THEY THOUGHT TO BE THE PROBLEM. WE RETURNED TO CAR TO THEIR SERVICE CENTER 5 WEEKS LATER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY CAN NOT IDENTIFY WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR AND WILL NOT GIVE US A GUARANTEE IN WRITING THAT THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE. MY WIFE IS 4 MONTHS PREGNANT AND WE ARE NOT COMFORTABLE HAVING HER DRIVE A CAR WITH A FRONT BRAKE PROBLEM. AUDI IS REFUSING TO BUY THE CAR BACK.
NHTSA ODI #10070745
4,300 miles · Dec 20, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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 *JG
NHTSA ODI #10001334
Official recalls
4May 3, 2011
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 LEAD TO CRACKING OF THE NIPPLE. IF THIS HAPPENS, A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT.
Consequence & remedy
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.
Apr 8, 2008
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.
Consequence & remedy
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.
Jun 5, 2006
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 S6 AND S6 AVANT VEHICLES ARE ALL EQUIPPED WITH XENON LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND, THEREFORE, ARE NOT LONGER AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL.
Consequence & remedy
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.
Mar 18, 2004
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 & remedy
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 BEGAN ON JULY 26, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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