I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding persistent mechanical failures and safety concerns with my 2014 Audi A6, VIN: [XXX] , which have resulted in significant repair expenses, inconvenience, and potential safety hazards. Despite having the front brakes and sensors replaced in the previous year, I recently experienced brake warning lights and related malfunctions. According to the most recent service report from Audi Bethesda (Repair Order [XXX], dated May 9, 2025), it was discovered that the incorrect brake pad sensor had previously been installed and that connectors were not properly secured. Additionally, the repair team found further issues with the ABS sensor and rear brake pad sensors—indicating an ongoing pattern of misdiagnosis and improper installation by authorized service providers. More concerning is the failure of the vehicle’s fuel system, including the fuel pump and filter, which were replaced at considerable expense. According to the repair documentation, there were still unresolved low fuel pressure faults present even after parts replacement. The technicians cited potential metal contamination in the fuel meter valve (N290), which could require full fuel system replacement—an unacceptable situation for a vehicle that has already undergone such costly repairs. After further internal investigation by Mitch Carr’s Auto Service several other concerns were brought to my attention. 1)Battery left to die 2)Fuel filter replaced 3)Glow Plug Replaced 4)Injector Seal Replaced 5)Re-Gen DPF procedure to clear faults 6) Rubber Stem on Tire Replaced INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Audi A6 fuel pump problems
17 of the 1,663 owner complaints about the Audi A6 describe fuel pump failure, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 17
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical mileage
- 71,000
By model year
- 20171
- 20161
- 20142
- 20131
- 20043
- 20036
- 20022
- 19981
Often reported together
Stalling 5Loss of power 4Won't start 1Shudder 1Power steering loss 1Hesitation 1Harsh shifting 1Fuel smell 1
What owners say
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 contact was provided an estimate for the repair; however, the contact declined to seek a second opinion. The contact was assured by the dealer that the vehicle was safe to be driven. A few days after leaving the dealer, the vehicle stalled while driving at a slow speed, with the check engine warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed back to the dealer who discovered that fuel had filled up in the evaporation canister sensor which caused the fuel tank and the fuel pump to become defective. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but informed him that his vehicle was not under recall or warranty. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.
Strong gasoline odor inside the car while being driven and while parked inside my garage resulting from fuel pump leak. Odor is worse when fuel tank is full.
Purchased a new 2017 audi a6. Car only has 1,200 miles. Driving car on freeway with my son and engine completely stopped no power. Thank god we are ok. Had no warning at all. Car just lost power. I have read about other models recalled for audi due to fuel pump. Dealer is stating the issue on our car is also fuel pump. Worried this will happen again and/or someone else could be seriously injured when you are driving and car stops running for no reason. Trying to work with audi to allow us to give them vehicle back as we have only had car a couple month. I no longer feel safe in vehicle and now that I have read issues with other models and what owners have described our car had the same issue.
Was driving at approximately 30 MPH when the car made a "clunk" sound and I lost any ability to control the vehicle. I pressed the accelerator and nothing happened. The steering wheel completely locked and I had no ability to turn the wheel. I coasted down a hill and the wheel unlocked, but I had no power steering and still no ability to accelerate. I was able to get the car into a parking lot and had it towed to the tucson arizona audi dealer. They have yet to figure out what the problem was. They replaced the fuel pump twice and tried to run the vehicle but can't keep it running for more than 2 minutes. The car keeps "seizing" up is what the service shop tells me. They still can't fix it and the car only has just over 5,000 miles on it.
This car has been great to me. Aside from a fuel pump going, just recently I was driving on the freeway and the car died. The epc light on the dash popped up and luckily I was able to coast to the side of the road. I attempted to start the car several times before calling aaa (15-20 min) while on the phone with aaa I attempted to start the car again and it fired right up. Thinking it was just a one time issue I got back on the freeway where 10 mile or so later same the same thing happened. Another 20 min of waiting before it cranked again at this point I was in a b ad area with my family and everyone was getting nervous. After it started the epc light stayed on this time and I experienced loss of power and the car coughed and stumbled terribly when I needed it most. I managed to make it home and let the car sit for a day. Hoped in and it cranked right up. No problems 15 miles later it happened again. After talking with other valued audi owners and looking over the audi owner forums. I have found this to be a quite common problem with the audi across the range of there a series from 1997-2011. Please help!
On december 18, 2011 I was driving down the road and my vehicle stalled. I had my car towed to the local audi dealer and was told that it needed a new fuel pump. I conducted an internet search and discovered that my audi had been part of a recall and I asked the local dealer if the recall repair had ever been conducted, they told me that my vehicle was not part of a recall. They told me that only audi a-4's were part of the recall. However, the federal safety agency website shows a letter dated july 23, 2007 sent from volkswagen of america, inc. (parent company of audi of america, inc.) to [xxx] of the federal safety agency notifying the federal safety agency that vw of america is recalling and replacing fuel pumps on vw passat's, audi a-4's and audi a-6's, additionally, the letter listed a range of VIN's for effected audi a6's that included my VIN. In the aforementioned letter, vw of america told the federal safety agency that 'any subject vehicle that is presented for service to an authorized volkswagen/audi dealer will be repaired free of charge. Could someone please assist me in causing vw of america to do what they told the federal safety agency they were going to do? Vw of america never notified me of the safety issue or of the recall, and when I presented this information to the dealer they still refused to pay for the repair. Audi endangered me and likely other consumers by never informing us of the recall and I have been forced to pay over $500 to repair a part that was part of a recall and would be repaired free of charge. Could you please assist me in collecting my funds from audi? Additionally, I believe they should be subject to significant penalties and fines for deceiving the federal safety agency. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 audi a6. The contact was driving 55 MPH when the vehicle started to shudder decelerated abnormally. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who advised the contact that the fuel pump failed and needed to be replaced. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign id number: 07v375000 (fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump) but was advised by the dealer that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000. ...update 01/20/12 *bf updated 02/03/12
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.
Car's engine stopped while at a red light. Would not start after failure. Ultimately, cause was determined to be a failed fuel pump. I saw that there was a recall on the fuel pump for 2003 a6 models including 3l vehicles, but not for 2004 models.]
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 19V035000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 17V781000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 16V646000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 15V019000 · Recall details
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could lead to a vehicle fire.
- 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.
Recall number 11V267000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 08V157000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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).
Recall number 07V375000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 06V017000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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 the federal safety agency 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.
Recall number 01V157000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 99V058000 · Recall details
Questions about the Audi A6 fuel pump
Which Audi A6 years have fuel pump failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (6 complaints), 2004 (3 complaints) and 2002 (2 complaints).
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