2004 Audi A6 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
35 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
73,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 27 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 35 complaints (11.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 20.0% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 8.6% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 5.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.9% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Wheels:Rim | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Seats | 2 |
Fuel System, Gasoline: 4; Electrical System: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Wheels:Rim: 3; Air Bags: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Seats: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 8 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2004: 1; 2005: 3; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2009: 6; 2010: 5; 2011: 5; 2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 3; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10290619 · 2009-11-02 (November 2, 2009)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A6. WHEN DRIVING HE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ROLL OVER VALVE WAS MALFUNCTIONING, AND THAT THE GAS TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 119898. UPDATED 11/18/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE SMELL PARTICULARLY STRONG AFTER FILLING UP. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD HIS VINE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 11/19/09 THE CONSUMER STATED HE BEGAN …
Owner-reported narrative. 119,898 miles reported. Look up ODI 10290619 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10301772 · 2010-01-21 (January 21, 2010)
SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING A 2004 AUDI A6 AVANT ON HIGHWAY 280 SOUTH IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST ALL ENGINE POWER AND STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR STOPPED BEFORE REACHING THE HIGHWAY CURB. THE HIGHWAY POLICE WHO CAME BY SEEING THE FLASHERS ON THE CAR ASSISTED IS PUSHING THE CAR SAFELY INTO THE HIGHWAY CURB AREA. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIRS. THE DEALER IDENTIFIED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10301772 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10143913 · 2005-11-29 (November 29, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE HAD A DESIGN FLAW ON THE SERVICE BRAKES. HE SUSPECTED THAT HEAT AND WEIGHT BALANCE ON THE BRAKES WAS CALCULATED INCORRECTLY. THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS BECAME DISCOLORED AND OVERHEATED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR BRAKES DUE TO DISCOLORATION. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A HEAVY NOISE. UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10143913 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10147948 · 2006-01-17 (January 17, 2006)
A NUMBER OF CARS THAT HAVE RED TURN SIGNALS (VERSUS ORANGE) DO NOT BLINK THE ENTIRE LIGHT WHEN TURNING. THUS, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND THE TURN SIGNAL IS ON, IT IS MORE DIFFICULT TO SEE. IF THE COLOR OF THE BRAKE LIGHT AND THE TURN SIGNAL IS THE SAME, THE ENTIRE LIGHT SHOULD BLINK, NOT JUST A SMALL PORTION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10147948 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10277358 · 2009-07-19 (July 19, 2009)
UPON TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, A LOUD "POP" WAS HEARD AND SMOKE BEGAN TO ESCAPE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER OPENING THE HOOD IT APPEARED THAT THE BATTERY HAD IN SOME WAY EXPLODED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10277358 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10459296 · 2012-05-22 (May 22, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE IN THE ELECTRIC HARNESS UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED A BURNING ODOR AND THEN THE POWER FAILED TO MOVE THE SEAT. UPON FURTHER REVIEW, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE CARPET UNDER THE SEAT WAS SINGED AND HAD MELTED SOME PLASTIC UNDER THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CONTACT'S PERSONAL MECHANIC WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE POSED A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT REFERENCED N…
Owner-reported narrative. 94,648 miles reported. Look up ODI 10459296 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10384828 · 2011-02-28 (February 28, 2011)
2004 AUDI A6 SEDAN, 3.0 ENGINE DEVELOPED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER JUST BEFORE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 81,469 miles reported. Look up ODI 10384828 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10285091 · 2009-09-24 (September 24, 2009)
I HAVE A 2004 AUDI A6 2.7T S-LINE SEDAN WITH 56,000 MILES ON IT. FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS IT HAS HAD A SEVERE SHUDDERING IN THE STEERING COLUMN AS I ACCELERATE MID-THROTTLE, AS WHEN I ACCELERATE ONTO AN ON-RAMP. I HAVE TRIED TO HAVE MY LOCAL AUDI DEALER ADDRESS THIS (IT IS A CERTIFIED VEHICLE) BUT THEY SO FAR HAVE NOT COME ACROSS WITH RESOLUTION. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED THE AUDI OF AMERICA CUSTOMER SUPPORT FOLKS SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY SAY THAT THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM LIKE THIS WITH THIS CAR, BUT THEY ALSO SAY THAT IF I USE A SPECIFIC MAKE OF…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10285091 at NHTSA ↗