Acceleration complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2017 | 1 | 5% | 20,000 miles |
| 2016 | 3 | 6% | 7,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 2% | 6,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% | 95,000 miles |
| 2007 | 3 | 6% | 80,000 miles |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% | 5,000 miles |
| 2005 | 4 | 4% | 15,000 miles |
| 2004 | 2 | 6% | 95,000 miles |
| 2003 | 2 | 3% | 25,000 miles |
| 2002 | 7 | 8% | 74,000 miles |
| 2001 | 5 | 4% | 89,000 miles |
| 2000 | 5 | 3% | 87,000 miles |
| 1999 | 24 | 11% | 76,000 miles |
| 1998 | 18 | 14% | 92,000 miles |
| 1997 | 1 | 5% | 85,000 miles |
| 1996 | 2 | 4% | 114,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Got a warning light that adaptive cruise and braking were not available. According to the service dept. There was a seam in the body that was not welded properly in the manufacturing process. I have 6500 miles on my car. They said that water was leaking in on electrical modules. This problem happens while driving.
OK purchased the car October 2019, immediately noticed a burning smell, in the car. Took out to Audi multiple times ask if there was a leak, before the warranty ran out. They said no, now a year later my check engine light has come on. One diagnostic done at jiffy lube read a code that says it is the computer auxiliary output. Took the car to Audi to do a second diagnostic, they said its the thermostat, and coolant pump. My car is not ever heating and the heat and air work fine. How is it now that the car is not under warranty they notice the leak in the coolant pump, when I complained about the smell of burning water when I first purchased the car. There are no indications of a leak on my driveway. The dealership has quoted me 1683.00 though there is a recall on the same parts. A year ago when I purchased the car there were faulty issues with the computer. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2007 Audi A6. The contact stated that while parking, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and scrapped the side of a cement wall before crashing into a parked vehicle. The contact mentioned that the air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The vehicle was declared a loss. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000. Updated 3/22/2017
I have a 2007 Audi A6 quatro. I was in a parking garage and needed to turn around. Vehicle was involved in an accident, backed into a cement pole,slowly, but enough to be felt. When I put the car in forward and began to move forward, the car accelerated on it's own at a very high rate of speed. We crashed head-on into a cement wall. I know many cases of unintended acceleration have been reported, with the conclusion that drivers hit the accelerator when they thought they were hitting the brake. I was not trying to brake, I had applied the brakes when I hit the pole in reverse and was attempting to accelerate forward when the car just took off like a rocket. I did not have time to brake before we hit the wall. I hope you will investigate this. Someone easily could have been killed. Note, when filling out the vehicle information, it was an A6.
During driving epc light illuminates, rpms soar and car will not accelerate. Severe safety issue. This has occurred more than 4 times in 13 months--car was purchased brand new 13 months ago. Vehicle had to be towed to dealership for repairs three times. Two separate dealerships have "repaired" the car and returned it to me--the problem continues to occur. The most recent failures occurred within 2 weeks of each other. The car has in no way ever been repaired. Computer was re-set, and updated. Physical parts replaced as per dealer invoice throttle valve, gasket. Vehicle is defective and unsafe to drive and is currently at the dealership for repair.
Car stuttering. Depresses throttle to attempt to alleviate problem. Gas pedal stuck at full acceleration and maximum RPM. Set car into neutral and coasted to decelerate. After numerous attempts to disengage accelerator pedal, it finally sprung back from full throttle.
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. …
Whenever I attempt to accelerate immediately after using the brakes, nothing happens. The car's throttle appears to have no effect for 2+ seconds, even when pressed all the way to the floor. On several separate occaisions, while trying to merge into traffic, I have nearly been hit by an oncoming vehicle while waiting for my car to understand that I intended to accelerate. This is not turbo lag; it is computer-induced throttle lag. (the engine rpms do not change during these occurrences.) this is a clear safety issue that Audi must address. (a representative of my dealership told me he is quite aware of the problem and has personally experienced it. But Audi informed him it does not see this as a problem.)
Related recalls (1)
Vehicle speed control
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.8l, v6 5-valve engines, and automatic transmissions, while driving during extremely low ambient temperatures the throttle May freeze in an open position due to ice accumulating in the throttle body.
Remedy: Audi will install a replacement throttle body kit free of charge. The recall began on October 29, 2004. Owners May contact Audi at 1-800-822-2834.
NHTSA investigations
Fuel supply line leak
There is no summary currently available
Fuel expulsion
By letter dated March 22, 1999, Volkswagen notified NHTSA that it would take safety recall action to correct the spitback problem on all the subject vehicles.based on the manufacturer's recall action (odi 99v-058), this investigation is closed.
Frequently asked questions
Which Audi A6 years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (24), 1998 (18), 2002 (7), 2000 (5) and 2001 (5) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 11% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Audi A6 acceleration problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 04V-495 (vehicle speed control, Oct 12, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Audi A6 acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles; 30% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (19 mentions), followed by the cruise control (4).
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.