2003 Audi Rs6 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. 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.
What could happen: A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2003 RS6.
- Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 11V267000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-822-2834.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Notes: VOLKSWAGEN SAFETY RECALL NO. 20L8/JY. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
2. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. 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.
What could happen: A FIRE COULD ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT DASHBOARD AREA.
The 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, AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 26, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2003 RS6.
- Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 04V133000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-822-2834.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A FIRE COULD ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT DASHBOARD AREA.
Remedy: 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, AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 26, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
Notes: CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Portable jump starter
- 2003 Audi Rs6 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Suspension (31), Fuel system (7), Gasoline (5), Transmission / drivetrain (4), Wheels / tires (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
07/25/2023 · Fuel system
The contact owns a 2003 Audi RS6. The contact stated that after adding fuel to the vehicle, he noticed that fuel had leaked, and there was a puddle of fuel on the ground on the rear driver's side of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred routinely when adding fuel in the vehicle. The dealer was no…
12/13/2018 · Wheels / tires
THIS WAS NOT A BLIZZAK LM-25. IT WAS A BLIZZAK LM-60. TWICE WITHIN A YEAR, I'VE HAD MY REAR TIRE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE BEADS, SPLITTING ALL THE WAY AROUND ON THE INNER AND OUTER SIDEWALLS. THE FIRST TIME WAS ON THE PASSENGER REAR WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 75 MPH. IT BLEW OFF AND WENT ROLLING BESIDE AND BEHIND THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE RIGHT…
12/27/2017 · Fuel system
FUEL TANK LEAK FROM TIP OVER VALVE. THERE IS A RECALL ON IT. AUDI RECALL 20L8/JY WAS PERFORMED ON 5/16/2012. BUT THE VALVE STARTED LEAKING AGAIN RECENTLY. I CALLED AUDI OF AMERICA (AOA) THEY HAD ME TAKE THE CAR TO AUSTIN NORTH AUDI DEALER FOR CONFIRMATION AND TAKING PHOTOS. AFTER THE DEALER CONFIRMATION THEY DENIED MY REQUEST TO COVER THE FUEL TANK REPLAC…
09/05/2014 · Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI RS6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING AND WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT AND BACK SHOCKS ABSORBER, THE TUBING AND THE VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUF…
08/23/2013 · Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI RS6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE BOUNCED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A VOLUNTARY…
08/12/2011 · Transmission / drivetrain
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THIS RESULTED IN NEEDING TO REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. *TR
08/09/2011 · Transmission / drivetrain
TRANSMISSION WOULD OCCASIONALLY SLIP TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC I HAD TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER AS I COULDN'T ACCELERATE. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE CAR THAT HAS MUCH MORE POWER THAN MOST VEHICLES SO UNDER NORMAL OPERATIONS ACCELERATION SHOULD BE QUICK & FAST. THIS FIRST STARTED WITH ONLY 35~40,000 MILES ON THE CAR. ALL RS6 OWNERS BEGIN TO LE…
11/01/2010 · Fuel system
2003 AUDI RS6 (A6 4.2 V8 BITURBO) FUEL TANK DEFECT: THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARD TO MY 2003 AUDI RS6 SEDAN. AFTER NOTICING A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL AND FUEL VAPOR IN MY GARAGE THE MORNING AFTER FILLING UP SAID CAR, I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL AUDI DEALER TO HAVE THE CAR INSPECTED AND DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED T…