Audi A6 Fuel System, Gasoline Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 8, 2026 · 122 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 122 complaints with NHTSA about fuel system, gasoline problems on the Audi A6 across 13 model years. The 1998 model year has the most (29). The words owners use most often: “fuel tank” (29% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Fuel tank: mentioned in 35 of 122 complaints (29%)
  • Sending unit: mentioned in 7 of 122 complaints (6%)

At what mileage do fuel system, gasoline problems happen?

Based on 63 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles2 · 3%
10k–25k miles2 · 3%
25k–50k miles11 · 17%
50k–75k miles9 · 14%
75k–100k miles17 · 27%
100k–150k miles19 · 30%
150k+ miles3 · 5%

How serious are the reports?

Of 122 complaints, 1 a fire.

Audi A6 fuel system, gasoline complaints by model year

Peak: 1998, with 29 complaints
1998: 291998291999: 261999262000: 142000142001: 112001112002: 102002102003: 162003162004: 5200452007: 2200722008: 2200822012: 2201222013: 1201312014: 2201422016: 220162

n = 122 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearFuel System, Gasoline complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2016 A624%48,000
2014 A625%166,808
2013 A612%122,000
2012 A623%111,000
2008 A623%31,650
2007 A624%35,020
2004 A6514%99,000
2003 A61624%71,597
2002 A61011%76,000
2001 A61110%92,500
2000 A6149%112,500
1999 A62612%53,600
1998 A62922%77,750

When owners reported it

Peak: 2000, with 21 complaints
1998: 119981999: 162000: 212000212001: 72002: 120022003: 52004: 620042005: 22006: 620062007: 52008: 420082009: 92010: 920102011: 142012: 220122013: 32014: 320142015: 12019: 120192022: 12023: 320232024: 12025: 12025

n = 122 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (10)

Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel railJan 16, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V035000 · 74,881 vehicles

Model years: 2016, 2017, 2018

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Q7, A6 and A7 vehicles, and 2015-2018 Audi A8 vehicles. The left and right fuel rails may leak fuel.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.

Fix: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the left and right fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 24DP.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 6, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V781000 · 48,693 vehicles

Model years: 2012, 2013, 2014

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Audi A6 and A7 vehicles. The fuel line has a compression point that can weaken, potentially resulting in a fuel leak.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line, free of charge. The recall began February 5, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-888-237-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AR.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsSep 7, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V646000 · 28,249 vehicles

Model years: 2012, 2013

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Audi A6 and Audi A7 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a fuel hose in the engine compartment that may degrade and leak fuel.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the under hood fuel pump and fuel hose, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BZ.

Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel railJan 20, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V019000 · 26,008 vehicles

Model years: 2012

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Audi S4, S5, Q7, 2012 Audi A6, Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles. In the affected vehicles the fuel injection system may experience a fuel leak.

Risk: A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails and corresponding seals, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 24AP for Audi customers and 24BK for Volkswagen customers.

Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assemblyApr 8, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V157000 · 68,240 vehicles

Model years: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

Problem: Volkswagen is recalling 68,240 my 2001-2004 audi a6 quattro vehicles equipped with 2.7l, 2.8l, or 3.0l engines and my 2001-2005 allroad quattro vehicles equipped with 2.7l or 4.2l engines. The aging of the plastic material in the fuel tank rollover valve combined with bending stress from the aluminum ventilation line to the rollover valve nipple may lead to cracking of the nipple. If this happens, a fuel leak may result.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could lead to a vehicle fire.

Fix: Dealers will reinforce the nipple on the rollover valve to prevent leakage or repair the cracking at the nipple. The recall began on june 27, 2008. Owners may contact audi at 1-800-822-2834.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpAug 28, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V375000 · 34,358 vehicles

Model years: 2003

Problem: On certain vehicles equipped with 1.8l turbo, 2.8l v6, or 3.0l engines, a change in the electrical motor components in the fuel pump can lead to an inoperative fuel pump and, ultimately, stoppage of fuel supply to the engine causing it to stall.

Risk: If fuel flow to the engine is interrupted, the vehicle could stall without warning and thus present a potential risk of crash.

Fix: Dealers will install new fuel pumps free of charge. The recall began on september 28, 20007. Owners may contact vw at 1-800-222-8987 or audi at 1-800-822-2834. This recall is a supplement to a previous campaign (please see 06v017).

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpJan 23, 2006 · NHTSA campaign 06V017000 · 74,000 vehicles

Model years: 2003

Problem: On certain vehicles produced from september 2002 - march 2003, equipped with 1.8l turbo, 2.8l v6, or 3.0l engines, a change in the electrical motor components in the fuel pump can lead to an inoperative fuel pump and, ultimately, stoppage of fuel supply to the engine causing it to stall.

Risk: If fuel flow to the engine is interrupted, the vehicle could stall without warning and thus present a potential risk of crash.

Fix: Dealers will install new fuel pumps free of charge. The recall began on april 10, 2006. Owners may contact vw at 1-800-222-8987 or audi at 1-800-822-2834.

Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assemblyMay 3, 2001 · NHTSA campaign 01V157000 · 70,000 vehicles

Model years: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Sulfur in fuel interacts with certain additives found in widely available gasoline causing sulfur to become deposited on the contact points of three fuel sending units mounted inside the fuel tank. This could cause the fuel gauge to read full while the fuel tank may not in fact be full or could be empty.

Risk: Running out of fuel without warning while the fuel gauge indicates that there is sufficient fuel in the tank lead to safety problems.

Fix: Dealers will remove the existing fuel level sending units and replace them with fuel level sending units using a new alloy composed of gold, silver, and a small amount of nickel, which will not chemically react with sulfur. Vw/audi will also call back vehicles that were repaired under a previous recall last june in order to install the updated fuel sending units nhtsa 00v137/audi lb). Owner notification began may 1, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact audi at 1-866-892-2834.

Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and capMar 22, 1999 · NHTSA campaign 99V058000 · 27,964 vehicles

Model years: 1998, 1999

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with quattro drive system which employs a fuel and fuel vapor leak detection system. If the vehicle is refueled shortly after the engine is started, and is kept running while being refueled, the fuel vapor recovery system could produce sufficient back pressure to cause fuel to be ejected after a complete fill-up when the fuel pump nozzle is removed from the filler neck.

Risk: In the presence of an ignition source, fuel spray could result in fire or possible personal injury.

Fix: Vw is providing a new page for the owner's manual and also requesting owners to make an appointment with their dealers to have a label containing important refueling instructions installed inside of the fuel filler door. Dealers will also remove the tire pressure label and replace it with a new label affixed to the fender well at the right rear door.

Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and capSep 19, 1997 · NHTSA campaign 97V160000 · 31 vehicles

Model years: 1998

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. During pre-assembly of the fuel tanks, an incorrect filler neck was installed causing the filler neck to not "match" the fuel cap.

Risk: This condition could allow fuel to escape and if an ignition source was present, a fire could occur.

Fix: Dealers will replace these filler necks.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2014 Audi A6. The contact stated that there was a fluid leak underneath the vehicle near the exhaust pipe, with a fuel-like odor. No warning lights were illuminated. A certified mechanic inspected the vehicle at the residence, and determined there was a leak in the fuel line…

Received Aug 27, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11683359

The contact owns a 2014 Audi A6. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle stalled. The Electronic Power Control System and the Check Engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was…

Received Nov 12, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11624753

The contact owns a 2012 Audi A6. The contact stated while pulling out of the driveway, he smelled an abnormal fuel odor. The contact stated that the fuel odor became stronger while driving 65 MPH. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he pulled into a parking lot and…

Received Sep 19, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11545382

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A6. The contact stated that while refueling, the gas nozzle would frequently stop, causing gasoline to leak from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was discovered that the fuel tank sensor needed to be moved to another location on the vehicle. The…

Received Apr 7, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11515926

The contact owns a 2013 Audi A6. The contact stated that after returning to the parked vehicle, the vehicle failed to start after several attempts. The contact stated that the temperature gauge and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact…

Received Jan 5, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11500302
Audi A6
Audi_A6_C9_IAA_2025 at IAA 2025. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all Audi A6s have fuel system, gasoline problems?

No. NHTSA has 122 owner complaints about fuel system, gasoline for the Audi A6. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the Audi A6 fuel system, gasoline?

Yes: 10 safety recalls list fuel system, gasoline. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

What do owners say about fuel system, gasoline problems on the Audi A6?

The most frequent phrase is “fuel tank”, in 35 of 122 complaints, followed by “sending unit” (7).

Other Audi A6 problems

See all Audi A6 problems.