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 2002 Audi A6 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
After a short drive (about 3 miles in town), the car was pulled into my garage a few minutes later my wife noticed smoke coming from under the hood. I backed the car into the driveway, opened the hood and significant white smoke with the smell of burning plastic came from the passenger side of the engine compartment, below the engine, near the firewall. I used a garden hose to extinguish the fire. I could not determine the exact origin of the fire. On Monday, June 27th I reported the incident to Audi of America. A reference number of 50231796 was assigned by Audi to the incident. On June 29th I was contacted by james cruz at Audi who told be that he would be turning the incident over to engineers who would decide what they wanted to do next. …
I parked my car to detail it and after I went to drive to the store and my car wasn't reaching above 4000 rpms and wouldn't go over 60 MPH ...its acting like there is a rev limiter and throw 2 new codes...never got engine bay wet jus outer body of vehicle ...diagnostic codes are p0322 and p0421 I believe one is for the engine ignition distributor no signal and also catalytic system below threshold bank 1 .....after I parked car again I tried to start and nothing happened ....I've bout new c.o.p's ....and still nothing I was driving my vehicle when this happened and also notice that the fuel filler just inside the port was all cracked and when I filled with fuel its leaked alot of my gas ...the
This car has been great to me. Aside from a fuel pump going, just recently I was driving on the freeway and the car died. The epc light on the dash popped up and luckily I was able to coast to the side of the road. I attempted to start the car several times before calling aaa (15-20 min) while on the phone with aaa I attempted to start the car again and it fired right up. Thinking it was just a one time issue I got back on the freeway where 10 mile or so later same the same thing happened. Another 20 min of waiting before it cranked again at this point I was in a b ad area with my family and everyone was getting nervous. After it started the epc light stayed on this time and I experienced loss of power and the car coughed and stumbled terribly when I needed it most. I managed to make it home and let the car sit for a day. Hoped in and it cranked right up. …
I recently bought my Audi and throughout the summer it drove just fine, but once winter came around and the temperatures dropped, I noticed the smell of gas in my car as soon as it was started. I opened the hood and there was gas spraying from what looked like all six fuel injectors. So I took the car to a mechanic, where they replaced numerous things (fuel pressure regulator, o rings, valve system, and all 6 fuel injectors) all to no avail. Nobody can tell me what is wrong, nobody knows. I called Audi and they told me I could take it to a dealership but that they couldn't promise they can fix the car. I can't drive the car, it is a safety hazard. I have looked on many forums and there have been a few other people with the same problem but nobody can figure out what is wrong. Is there a recall, or any information you can give as to how to fix this problem??
My engine failed while driving at 35 MPH on route 375 in woodstock, ny. The failure was a result of assembly bolts on the reverse side of the exhaust cam shaft variable valve timing sprocket loosening and falling out against the cylinder head, stalling the the camshaft and breaking the timing belt. Inspection of bolts show neither a lock washer or thread lock adhesive were present to prevent the loosening due to heating and cooling or vibration. Further service of bolts cannot be performed as there are no tightening specification for these bolts. An easy fix for this mechanical failure would be to remove both valve covers and replace the bolts on the timing gear sprockets with new bolts with adhesive on the threads. This is an interference engine, which results in a catastrophic failure in the bending of valves and total engine destruction.
On 02/21/09 I purchase a 2002 Audi A6 3.0 in frederick, maryland for the amount of 5,808.00. I drove back the vehicle to selinsgrove, pa I almost did not make it. I noticed a lots of white smoke coming from the exhaust system and the car was shaken really hard. I pulled over cause the check engine light came on. Then I has to get out of the road 11/15 as soon as possible so I only could drive 40 miles per hour or the car will shake more. I purchased the vehicle with a personal check. I want this vehicle back to the dealer as soon as possible. I do not want it . Can I cancel the check? I have a senior bank account and I wrote the check for $5,808.00 to south street auto sales in frederick, maryland. I will write a review online to consumers about the bad business of this dealership.
The Audi was stopped at a stop light when the RPM meter started to drop revs suddenly. Once the car was in motion the engine felt rough. The car was driven 3 miles with no further incidence and was parked for the night. The next day when the car was started in the morning the check engine light came on and the engine started to get very sluggish and shuddering. The car was immediately stopped and the diagnostic codes were pulled. The codes showed multiple cylinder misfires with specific misfires in cylinder 2 and three. The car was towed to an Audi dealer where this was confirmed. The dealership mentioned that there was a voluntary recall for exactly this issue. This is a safety issue.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Audi A6. The vehicle was taken to the dealership on June 4, 2010 for the manufacturers voluntary coil spring recall; however, the defected coil springs caused the catalytic converter to fail. The catalytic converter was replaced; and the coil spring repair didn't correct the failure. The vehicle lost power while attempting to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who located the failure as the vehicles six engine cylinder. The manufacturer was contacted advised the contact that they would not reimburse him for the catalytic converter. The vehicle wasn't repaired. The failure mileage was 90,476 and the current mileage was 93,400.
2002 Audi A6 with a belt failure. Consumer states that he did research about this failure and found out other people have had the problem too. He stated that when the water pump and thermostat was replaced or fixed the timing belt was not. The consumer stated his engine overheated and smoke began to emit from the engine. The consumer was informed the water pump to the coolant wasn't functioning properly. Prior to the incident, the check engine light illuminated, faulty coils were replaced and the vehicle had a leaking coolant bottle.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Audi A6. While the vehicle was being inspected for emissions 01/10/2011, the contact was informed that the engine was misfiring due to a defective coil. The failure LED to damage to the catalytic converter which needed to be replaced along with the coil. The local authorized dealer replaced the coil. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The converter was not replaced. The failure mileage was 99,370 and the current mileage was 99,410.
Engine complaints in other A6 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2002 Audi A6?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2002 Audi A6, 23% of the model year's 88 complaints. The component named most often is engine (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Audi A6 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2002 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 2002 Audi A6 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 99,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.