Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Audi A6 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I own an Audi A6, 2000. The car has been in the shop for over 18 months and 2 1/2 years for a re-accruing check engine light. For over 50,000 miles the car has been serviced by Audi and Audi only. Recently the car went out of warranty, however the check engine light is still not resolved and both flow and Audi have washed there hands of it. In-addition, I just recently lost my 4 and 5 gear and only after I took the car to a different dealer we found that flow Audi has been doing bad work on the car such as gluing parts back together (yes, gluing parts on a $55,000 car) and installing vacuum hoses up to the wrong parts. In-addition, they stripped out bolts and left them in place without fixing them, these bolts hold the engine together and in-place. (ask me about my timing belt issue, to long of a story to write on a web-page). …
A strange noise from the engine compartment of a 2000 A6 Audi began several months ago. The noise became progressively louder. I then suspected a water pump malfunction was forthcoming. The vehicle was taken to an Audi dealer for evaluation. They determined that the water pump was defective, and recommended a replacement. Most people would not have recognized this noise and an on road accident could have taken place on a freeway when the engine would have overheated and seized. Since there was only 31500 miles on the vehicle I am concerned that this type of problem occurred at all. Either the pump shaft was bent by an over tightened belt or the part was defective at manufacturing point. (the belt has never been adjusted after purchase).
Both catalytic converters failed at 78,000 miles. Called and wrote to Audi, wanting this covered under warranty; was told three different things regarding coverage (1. 'don't know," 2. 7years and 70,000 miles, 3. 8 years and 80,000 miles.) was repeatedly rebuffed. Cost $4600 to fix. Audi 2000 A6. Wrote to vice president - Audi of America - axel meese - two months later response said no again and quoted some other warranty (3 years and 50,000 miles) in all my years of car owning, I have never had one catalytic converter fail, let alone two. I feel that this is a defective car, and think Audi should cover the failure of the catalytic converters.
Cylinder heads (v-6, 2.7 liter, 5-valve) are leaking oil from the ends in an area which is plugged with a "ball seal" pressed in place during mfg. Oil drips onto exhaust causing causing moderate to severe smell of burning oil inside and around vehicle. Dealer mechanics were able to locate problem by inserting special dye in the oil and checking with a blacklight, and state heads need to be replaced. Dealer denies defect and suggests this as a normal wear item, but there are no moving parts. I am worried about complete failure of the seals resulting in oil/oil pressure loss, extensive engine damage and/or fire.
2000 Audi A6 4.2l v8 quattro engine cooling system failure. The plastic coolant pipe between the oil cooler housing and the engine block fails causing potential catastrophic coolant loss, overheated engine and potential fire. The plastic pipe hardens/crumbles with age, approximately 10 years and 135K miles. I replaced the pipe...it takes about 10 manhours. The replacement Audi part is maybe $20 but it is still plastic. I replaced it with a billet aluminum part with double o-rings. Dealer wanted $2900.00 to repair!! I understand this part is on every 4.2l v8 on both A6 and a8 cars from 1998 to current 2010.
Near total loss of power (intermittent) 17 error codes in OBD. New triptonic transmission 1 month after expiration of warentee. Extended warentee never offered by Audi. Error codes include throttle housing and cam error. I have spent nearly $7,000 in 10 monthes on mechanical repairs and mechanic says that I need approximatly $6,300 more. Audi said that I can have the dealer run a dignostic at my own expense. Addition to the $6,300 need. Check engine light has constantly come on since purchase. Dealer siad that he advises customer many times to disconnect light. Constant repairs since ownership. Audi is not helpfull.
At 65K miles, my baby daughter and I were driving 70 MPH down vail pass on i70 in colorado when the engine light starts to flash. I then lose all power, brakes and steering due to a total engine and turbo failure. This problem was discovered to be caused by a water pump failure, causing the timing belt to fail, in turn causing the engine to completely seize. Audi refused to take responsibility for all the costs associated with replacing the engine and didn't lend any concern that this is a safety issue. I have researched various consumer sites and have found several comments describing this exact problem.
Model year 2000, Audi A6 quattro wagon 4 instances of sub-standard equipment: 1) ABS warning lights due to defective ABS controller a very common problem which the manufacturer should be forced to recall. 2) sub-standard materials used in the vent tubing in the engine compartment (cheap plastic that breaks causing increased emissions output harming the environment). 3) dashboard warning display LED faulty, a very common problem which the manufacturer should be forced to recall. 4)plastic components in interior of the auto break easily poor plastic strength (ie cupholder, buttons etc).
Hello, 2000 A6 has an auxiliary fan on the 2.8 engine. My Audi was in warranty on 10/17/02, and it was brought to the dealer. The dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. The problem is the fan makes alot of noise, and the fan smells like a fire is happening..now the local dealer, wagner Audi in boyloston, ma checked the car, and will not cover it under warranty.. This should be checked out before someone is hurt in a fire from this Audi A6 problem. Thanks, don melanson.
The vehicles check engine light illuminated. The dealer refused to service the vehicle unless the consumer paid out of pocket, although the vehicle was taken to the dealer for service 3 days prior. The consumer paid for the check engine light service, in addition to the defective thermostat, which caused the vehicle to overheat one month after the warranty expired. Subsequently, three days after that service, the check engine light illuminated again.
Engine complaints in other A6 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2000 Audi A6?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2000 Audi A6, 14% of the model year's 148 complaints. The component named most often is engine (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Audi A6 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2000 Audi A6, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Audi A6 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 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.