2003 Audi S6

Routine

Owners filed 2 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Fuel/Propulsion System1
000
Fuel System, Other1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Other › Storage › Tank Assembly11V267000
Filed May 3, 20115,992 vehiclesVolkswagen Of America, Inc

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 LEAD TO CRACKING OF THE NIPPLE. IF THIS HAPPENS, A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT.

Risk. 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.

Electrical System04V133000
Filed Mar 18, 2004172,866 vehiclesVolkswagen Of America, Inc

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.

Risk. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel System, Other
Filed Aug 4, 2026176,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2003 Audi S6. The contact stated that while refueling the vehicle in the driveway, gasoline was leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was then repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V267000 (Fuel System, Other); however, the failure persisted. The dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was diagnosed with fuel tank failure. The contact was informed that the part was discontinued. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 176,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 1, 2021WI

Pursuant to outstanding recall repair: Fuel tank leaks substantially when filled over 1/2 tank. Zimbrick Audi of Madison, WI confirms symptom, and confirms that fuel tank needs to be replaced pursuant to faulty rollover valve nipple. Audi of America is not currently offering a resolution as they claim replacement fuel tank is no longer available. The car has been unavailable to me for over a week. There is no resolution in sight.

2 of 2 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2013
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20252100Routine
20240100Routine
20230100Routine
20224400Routine
202101000Routine
20202600Routine
20184100Routine
20175200Routine
201619210Routine
20155200Routine
201420300Routine
201342300Routine
20110200Routine
20101200Routine
20090300Routine
20082200Routine
20071200Routine
20040100Routine
2003 — this page2200Routine
20027200Routine
20011100Routine
20000100Routine
19990100Routine
19981100Routine
19971000Routine
19961100Routine
199520210Routine
19940200Routine
19930100Routine
19920100Routine

Compare every S6 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 3, 2011. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.