Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2002 Audi S6, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train2
- Vehicle speed control2
- Fuel system, gasoline2
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Tires1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2002 Audi S6 failed the safety check 1.59% of the time — 21% less often than the average 2002 passenger car (2.00%). Median odometer at inspection: 140,270 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
25 first registered in 2002 are on Dutch roads; 68% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €97,330.
Most common APK defects
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld5
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde4
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse3
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm3
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm3
- Waarschuwingsinrichting airbag- / gordelsysteem geeft defect2
- Parkeerrem werkt niet op 2 wielen2
- Licht- donkerscheiding dimlicht onduidelijk2
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
20 cars built in 2002 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 28 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In New Zealand
13 2002 cars are on the New Zealand register.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 16.0 L/100 km (about 15 mpg US), CO₂ 368 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| S6 Avant quattro · Station wagon: Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 19.0 | 12.3 | 16.0 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 2002 Audi S6.
| 2011171 27 Apr 2011 | Fuel System On certain vehicles, aging of the plastic material in the fuel tank rollover valve, combined with bending stress from the aluminium ventilation line to the roll… |
| 2004095 16 Mar 2004 | Electrical On certain Audi S6, A6 and A6 Allroad Quattro, contact between the left driver's side crash element and the headlight switch wiring harness could eventually res… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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. 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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Audi told its dealers about the 2002 Audi S6: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10253418 | Audi Delivery Guidelines. |
| 10253417 | Audi Delivery Guidelines. |
| 10251027 | Tightening wheel bolts |
| 10250950 | Tightening wheel bolts |
| 10249085 | Google Maps Street View (NVLW)) |
| 10249054 | Due to new Minnesota state regulations regarding biofuels, biodiesel blends of B5 or less may not be available in the State of Minnesota. |
| 10243930 | This bulletin provides information on the additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries. |
| 10243787 | Audi Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243780 | Audi Elsa Newsletter |
| 10231144 | Technical bulletins and updates |
| 10231130 | Idenifying and mixing factory fill engine coolants |
| 10231127 | ElsaPro Software update and technical bulletins |
| 10228314 | The use of contaminated gasoline or gasoline with a low content of deposit control additives may result in one or more conditions. |
| 10228302 | High quality media files (video and sound) are now integrated into technical service bulletins on a case-by-case basis. Media files can now be viewed on any smartphone or tablet. |
| 10228297 | This Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) details the general process for carrying out a Software Version Management (SVM) software update for any TSB or Update. |
| 10226530 | ATF pan leaks |
| 10226529 | Vehicle lacks power or will not move after stop due to simultaneous depressing of the brake and accelerator pedals |
| 10224993 | The use of contaminated gasoline or gasoline with a low content of deposit control additives may result in one or more conditions. |
| 10224981 | High quality media files (video and sound) are now integrated into technical service bulletins on a case-by-case basis. Media files can now be viewed on any smartphone or tablet. |
| 10221966 | The use of contaminated gasoline or gasoline with a low content of deposit control additives may result in one or more conditions. |
| 10221954 | High quality media files (video and sound) are now integrated into technical service bulletins on a case-by-case basis. Media files can now be viewed on any smartphone or tablet. |
| 10221949 | This Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) details the general process for carrying out a Software Version Management (SVM) software update for any TSB or Update. |
| 10216682 | Engine oils that meet Audi Oil Quality Standards. |
| 10216662 | Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants. |
| 10216656 | Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)