Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 153 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Audi A6, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 24 | 16% |
| Service brakes | 21 | 14% |
| Fuel system | 12 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 12 | 8% |
| Tires | 12 | 8% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 4% |
| Suspension | 6 | 4% |
| Steering | 6 | 4% |
| Air bags | 5 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 5 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
EACH TIME I FILL THE GAS TANK THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF LEAKING GAS. NOT CLEARLY IDENTIFIED THE SOURCE BUT FEEL THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT NOTICED STRONG FUMES ENTERING THE VENTS, WHICH AFFECTED THE CONTACT'S BREATHING. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO USE THE HEATER OR AIR CONDITIONER. A WEEK LATER, WHILE DRIVING
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE FIRST TIME THIS CAR HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH ANYTHING LEAKING WAS A COUPLE DAYS AGO WHEN WE WOKE UP IN MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TO HOUSE AND GARAGE SMELLING LIKE GAS. ON DRIVER'S SIDE REAR BY PASSENGER DOOR THERE WAS A SMALL
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
FIRST THE CAR RAN HOT NO TEMP HAVE CAME ON HAD TO REPLACE MOTOR .....THE COOLING FAN BROKE MADE OF PLASTIC AND CUT MY SERPENTINE BELT INTO ......THEN THE CAR FLOODED AND RUINED THE COMFORT CONTROL MODULE HAD TO REPLACE
NHTSA complaint: Steering
HELLO! TODAY I WAS AT THE SAMS CLUB GAS STATION TO FILL UP MY VEHICLE, 2000 AUDI A6 WITH THE 4.2 ENGINE. WHEN I FINISHED, I WENT OVER TO THE DRIVER SIDE, WHERE IVE SEEN A HUGE AMOUNT OF GAS ON THE GROUND. THE FUEL
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
AFTER FILLING GAS TANK, GAS BEGAN LEAKING AS A STEADY STREAM FROM LEFT FRONT SIDE OF GAS TANK, NEAR THE REAR DRIVER'S WHEEL WELL. OWNER CONTACTED AUDI DEALERSHIP AND AUDI OF AMERICA. OWNER PAID FOR DEALER INSPECTION TO D
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
FIRST INCIDENT MARCH 2006 LEAKY GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED, COST TO US $2,249.27, AUDI DENIED RESPONSIBILITY. REQUESTED AUDI TO REPORT THIS ISSUE TO AUTHORITIES. SECOND INCIDENT, 7/30/13 (MILEAGE 163,016): VERY STRONG
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
LAST MONTH I FILLED UP MY TANK & AFTER DOING SO HAD A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GAS IN THE CABIN. I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC & HE TOLD ME THAT I HAVE A BROKEN ROLLOVER VALVE. TO REPLACE THE TANK COSTS $2500. THIS IS
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2000 Audi A6. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 TT Roadster, 2000 TT Coupe, 1999 Audi A8, 1998-2000 Audi A6, and 1999-2000 Audi A4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) that do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag may not properly protect the occupant, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator when the parts become available, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed September 21, 2021. Owners may c
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HALOGEN LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS, CERTAIN CONNECTOR PINS IN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CONNECTOR COME INTO CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT. NOTE: VEHICLES WITH XENON LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT AFFECTED BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT IN THESE VEHICLES CONTAIN
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING OR FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS BY INSTALLING A JUMPER WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 16, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
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 FUE
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 CHEMIC
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.
Risk: A FIRE COULD ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT DASHBOARD AREA.
Fix: 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
| Reliability raw | 76 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 61 | average |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 52 | average |
| Efficiency | 32 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 153 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 24 of them (16%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 76/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 63/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.