Most common 2000 Audi A6 problems
Share of the 148 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Audi A6 complaints by model year
Best A6 years: 2022, 2018, 2011. Years to avoid: 2019, 2012, 2016, 1999, 1998. Compare all years →
2000 Audi A6 recalls (4)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 TT Roadster, 2000 TT Coupe, 1999 Audi A8, 1998-2000 Audi A6, and 1999-2000 Audi A4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) that do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator when the parts become available, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed September 21, 2021.
Electrical system
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.
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.
Electrical system
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.
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…
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Sulfur in fuel interacts with certain additives found in widely available gasoline causing sulfur to become deposited on the contact points of three fuel sending units mounted inside the fuel tank.
Remedy: Dealers will remove the existing fuel level sending units and replace them with fuel level sending units using a new alloy composed of gold, silver, and a small amount of nickel, which will not chemically react with…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 2000 Audi A6:
Driver's side dash fire
Volkswagen of America, inc. (voa) conducted a safety recall (NHTSA recall number 04V133) to add a plastic cover to the top section of the knee bolster crossmember to prevent contact with the headlight switch wiring harness.the scope of the original recall covered model years 1998 through 2004 with vehicle production dates of August 1997 through December 2004.the office of defects investigation has received nine…
Drivers side dashboard fire
Of the 22 total complaints, 11 were received for the 1999 model year and 11 for the 2000 model year. Audi is conducting testing to determine the origin and cause of the fire.
Brake and clutch pedal bracket
Drivers side dash fire
The subject vehicles are equipped with a knee bolster located under the dash, near the drivers knees.a wiring harness is also located in the dash, in that same area.Audi's analysis of 39 vehicles indicated that the knee bolster was rubbing against that wiring harness.over time the harness sheathing wears away and the wires come into contact with the metal knee bolster, resulting in a fire.
What 2000 Audi A6 owners say
Electrical system all 36 →
Audi a-6 yr 2000 while driving the car my husband eyes became irritated, smelt something burning, shortly after, smoke blew-out from the left air vent into the car and then fire sparks. As the car was moving, he noticed the smoke, slowed down, forced the gear into park and dash out of car. The fire spread from the front to the rear of the vehicle, causing an estimated $22,000 loss which is a total loss. The georgia, dekalb county fire services - incident report num. 02-049367 which was examined by the fire chief clearly state the area of fire origin came from operating, control area (fues box) and form of material ignited was electrical wire (faulty wiring). Our insurance company is now investigating and has also determined a total loss. …
Dt*: the contact stated while driving the vehicle became very smoky inside. The power steering and all the dash lights went out. The vehicle was pulled off the side of the road. Upon inspection it could not be determined where the smoke was coming from. The vehicle was driven for a short distance and the cab filled with smoke again. The vehicle was parked and then towed to an independent repair shop. After inspecting the vehicle the battery was engaged; flames were detected from under the dash board. The fire department was contacted to extinguish the fire but no inspection was made to determine the cause of the fire. The inside of the vehicle was destroyed due to fire and smoke. The vehicle had recall repairs performed in July 2005 for the electrical system. The NHTSA campaign # 04V133000 concerning the electrical system. The manufacturer has been alerted.
Brakes all 29 →
The ABS light comes on steady, the hand brake light flashed constantly, and three warning beeps are heard. A computer reading says there is no connection with the ABS unit. The ABS doesn't work at all. It sometimes occurs when I first start the car, and sometimes after driving for a while. The consumer stated someone else was driving her vehicle and he/she rear ended another person. The consumer stated the ABS did not function as designed. Updated 12/16/10
I was driving my 2000 Audi A6 2.7t (about 48,500 miles and out of warranty) home from work, when I noticed the car seemed to have less power. The car did not seem to accelerate very well. Then I noticed that when I took my foot off the accelerator that the car was slowing on its own. I was close to home and the road I was on did not have a place where I could safely pull over so I drove home. When I pulled in I noticed the front passenger wheel was smoking. I picked up a fire extinguisher and used it on the smoking wheel. I kept checking the wheel until all the parts of the brake and wheel were cool to the touch. I had the car carried to the Audi dealer since I did not want repeat the incident. The brake had loosened up since the car rolled when it was taken out of gear. …
Fuel & propulsion system all 23 →
Hello! Today I was at the sams club gas station to fill up my vehicle, 2000 Audi A6 with the 4.2 engine. When I finished, I went over to the driver side, where ive seen a huge amount of gas on the ground. The fuel was leaking really bad from my car. The sam's club even called the fired department and the police there too. It leaked out a lot couple gallons from my vehicle. Thanks god the gas station had a small incline so I could notice it right before I would drive away. Just thinking that I would drive away and something serious would happen it scares me. As I understand a lot of audis are recalled because of this issue. Mine is not under the recall. What can I do to get mine under the recall too? Please help me. [redacted]
The first time this car had any problems with anything leaking was a couple days ago when we woke up in middle of the night to house and garage smelling like gas. On driver's side rear by passenger door there was a small leak looked like oil but smelled of gas and underneath car you can see wear a small crack is at in fuel system. I see many recalls for same thing for different years and complaints filed for this same problem and year. No recall notices was ever received by myself or previous two owners who was friends or it would have been fixed. I am upset because now it won't be fixed under recall because it's been so long however there was no close date on reports it shows several thousand cars never got the repair and was not notified. This is a huge safety issue that not only can start car on fire but house on fire if parked in garage. …
2000 Audi A6 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 16 / 24 / 18 |
| 2.7L 6-cyl turbo | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 22 / 18 |
| 2.7L 6-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 22 / 18 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 22 / 18 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
| 4.2L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 22 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Audi A6 a good car?
Based on 148 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2000 A6 rates avoid: 3.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the A6 at the same age. It is one of the A6 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2000 Audi A6?
The electrical system — 36 complaints, 24% of all complaints for this model year, most often about instrument cluster/panel. Next are the brakes (29) and fuel & propulsion system (23).
How many recalls does the 2000 Audi A6 have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2000 Audi A6, the most recent from January 31, 2020 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Audi A6?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2022, 2018 and 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2012, 2016, 1999 and 1998. See the full Audi A6 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2000 Audi A6 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 77,000 miles; 20% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.