Most common 2001 Audi Quattro problems
Share of the 11 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Audi Quattro complaints by model year
Best Quattro years: 1996, 2000. Years to avoid: 1999. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2001 Audi Quattro:
Fuel tank leak
Volkswagen (vw) is recalling certain vw passat 4motion and Audi a6 quattro and allroad quattro all-wheel drive passenger cars.vw vehicles subject to recall were manufactured from November 22, 2000 through May 31, 2005 and Audi vehicles subject to recall were manufactured from June 2, 2001 to June 1, 2005.the NHTSA recall number for the vw vehicles is 08v-156 (vw also is correcting defects related to heat shield and…
What 2001 Audi Quattro owners say
Wheels & tires
Tl contact owns a 2001 Audi Quattro. The vehicle was purchased 12/2006 and on 02/2007 the vehicle was taken to the dealer due to all of the tires being worn and the wires were also visible. The dealer performed repairs for a total of $500.00 and is now unable to provide her with receipts for the work performed. The repairs included 2 new tires and a new tail pipe extender. The mechanic stated that the tail pipe was welded on top of rust and should have been replaced. The contact is aware of the safety risks involved. The current mileage on the vehicle was 69,000 and the failure mileage was 59,000.
My husband and I own a 2001 Audi allroad which is equipped with Goodyear wrangler f1 radial tires marked allroad size 225 r17 m+s rated. These are the only manufacturer approved tires for the vehicle. About a year ago I experienced a flat tire and the sidewall was damaged requiring a new tire. It took several days to obtain a tire and I was limited to driving on streets as the spare is not a full size tire and cannot be used over 50mph. On July 2, we experienced a flat tire caused by a nail and the sidewall of the tire blew out. We tried to find a replacement. The 3 Audi dealers in our area did not carry the tire, and after several referrals we found a tire at grand prix tires in costa mesa ca which had been ordered by a customer but not picked up. At the same time we were told there was abnormal wear on another tire which needed replacement so we immediately ordered an additional tire. …
Fuel & propulsion system
My fuel gauge has failed. I checked with your recall noticed for my car Audi a6 4.2l 2001, and the sending unit apparently has filed and was recalled. However for my particular engine, no such recall was initiated. The 4.2 l engine should also be part of this recall. It took my $4,000 to figure out that the problem was the sending unit. The Audi dealership had no idea what the problem was. This is a very serious safety hazard which needs to be addressed asap and the recall needs to be extended to cover the 4.2l engines as well. I was stranded twice on the side of the highway. I had no idea it was because I ran out of fuel because it read half full. Can you imagine what would have happended if it occurred in the middle of the night in the desert. Please make sure this gets recalled!. Worried consumer. Thank you
After slowing down in warm weather then accelerating there is a lag time of about 10-15 seconds before vehicle responds. It lunged forward. This happened intermittently. Dealer examined vehicle 10 times, finally determined that transmission control module was faulty, and could not be reprogrammed.*akthe drivers seat back memory doesnt hold, pinning the driver against the steering wheel. The parktronic was inoperative. The right rear speaker cover was cracked. The navagation control was broken. The rear decklid hatch needed repair. The compressor continues to run. The left convertor heat shield was loose causing a metal to metal sound. There is a clicking sound heard from the fuel injector.
Engine & cooling
Tl contact owns a 2001 Audi Quattro. The vehicle was purchased 12/2006 and on 02/2007 the vehicle was taken to the dealer due to all of the tires being worn and the wires were also visible. The dealer performed repairs for a total of $500.00 and is now unable to provide her with receipts for the work performed. The repairs included 2 new tires and a new tail pipe extender. The mechanic stated that the tail pipe was welded on top of rust and should have been replaced. The contact is aware of the safety risks involved. The current mileage on the vehicle was 69,000 and the failure mileage was 59,000.
Ltr fm(va) re the faulty design of the water pump which cause the timing belt to prematurely break in his 2001 Audi Quattro: Audi has been the subject of a class action suit re this problem.
2001 Audi Quattro engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl turbo | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 19 / 27 / 22 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl turbo | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 18 / 25 / 20 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 22 / 19 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 23 / 18 |
| 2.7L 6-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 22 / 18 |
| 2.7L 6-cyl turbo | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
| 4.2L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 23 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Audi Quattro a good car?
Based on 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 Quattro rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Quattro at the same age. 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 2001 Audi Quattro?
The wheels & tires — 5 complaints, 45% of all complaints for this model year, most often about sidewall. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (3) and engine & cooling (3).
How many recalls does the 2001 Audi Quattro have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2001 Audi Quattro. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Audi Quattro?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1996 and 2000. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999. See the full Audi Quattro years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 Audi Quattro problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 35,000 miles; 60% 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.