2002 Audi S6 Problems & Complaints

Average1.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the S6 at the same age

Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 2002 Audi S6 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is about average for the S6 at the same age. The most reported problem area is the fuel & propulsion system (3 complaints, typically around 110,000 miles). 2 recalls cover this model year.

7complaints
2recalls
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2002 Audi S6 problems

  • Fuel & propulsion system~110,000 miles
    343%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~12,000 miles
    229%
  • Speed control & acceleration~12,000 miles
    229%
  • Wheels & tires
    114%

Share of the 7 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Audi S6 complaints by model year

’95’02’03’07’08’09’10’11’13’14’15’16’17’20’21’2220721214220519524
Owner complaints per model year, Audi S6. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best S6 years: 2007, 2009, 2011. Years to avoid: 2013, 2014, 2016, 1995. Compare all years →

2002 Audi S6 recalls (2)

Fuel system, other › Storage › Tank assembly

NHTSA recall 11V-267 · May 3, 2011 · 5,992 vehicles

Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Audi a6, model year 2002-2003 s6 and model year 2003 rs6 vehicles equipped with 4.2l engines and manufactured from June 19, 2001, through June 8, 2004.

Remedy: Dealers will reinforce the nipple on the rollover valve to prevent leakage or repair the cracking at the nipple. The recall is expected to begin during June 2011. Owners May contact Audi at 1-800-822-2834.

Electrical system

NHTSA recall 04V-133 · Mar 18, 2004 · 172,866 vehicles

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…

What 2002 Audi S6 owners say

Fuel & propulsion system

Fuel is leaking from the top of the driver side of fuel tank. Appears to be near to rollover nipple that was previously recalled in 2010. Result: accumulation of fuel near exhaust - fire hazard.

Jun 2021

On 10 aug 2010 my 2002 Audi S6 avant fuel tank rollover valve hose nipple began leaking fuel vapors and liquid. The leak which is caused by the same material failure noted in NHTSA campaign # 08V157000 and is a serious safety risk because of fuel and fuel vapor exposure to hot exhaust and other possible ignition sources. In this case the plastic hose nipple cracked without any type of impact, damage or the presence of harsh conditions. The valve is located on the driver's side of the tank a few inches from the fuel sender access hole under the rear seat. The p/n for the entire fuel tank for the a6 and allroads affected by 08V157000 is [redacted] bl. The p/n for the entire fuel tank in the S6 and a6s w/ 4.2 v8s yet recalled* is [redacted]. The design of the tanks is nearly identical, but the 075 bl is three gallons smaller. …

Storage › Tank assembly · 110,000 miles · Aug 2010

2002 Audi S6 engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
4.2L 8-cyl5-speed automatic4WD/AWD12 / 19 / 15

EPA ratings. Class: Wagon.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2002 Audi S6 a good car?

Based on 7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 S6 rates average: 1.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the S6 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 2002 Audi S6?

The fuel & propulsion system — 3 complaints, 43% of all complaints for this model year, most often about storage › tank assembly. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (2) and speed control & acceleration (2).

How many recalls does the 2002 Audi S6 have?

There are 2 recalls for the 2002 Audi S6, the most recent from May 3, 2011 (tank assembly). 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 S6?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2007, 2009 and 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2013, 2014, 2016 and 1995. See the full Audi S6 years comparison.

At what mileage do 2002 Audi S6 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 12,000 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.