Audi A6 Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability
Year-by-year breakdown of safety recalls, NHTSA owner complaints, reported deaths, injuries, crashes, and worst problem areas. Updated daily from federal databases.
Own a Audi A6? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Audi A6 — Year-by-Year Problem Comparison
| Year | Verdict | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Injuries | Deaths | Top Issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Excellent | 1 | 5 | — | — | — | Forward Collision Avoidance | Full report → |
| 2025 | Excellent | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | Forward Collision Avoidance | Full report → |
| 2024Best | Excellent | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | Full report → |
| 2023 | Excellent | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | Unknown Or Other | Full report → |
| 2022 | Excellent | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | Unknown Or Other | Full report → |
| 2021 | Good | 8 | 13 | — | — | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2020 | Caution | 5 | 36 | — | 2 | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2019Worst | Avoid | 4 | 95 | — | — | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2018 | Excellent | — | 10 | — | — | — | Engine | Full report → |
| 2017 | Good | 2 | 15 | — | — | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2016 | Caution | 2 | 55 | — | — | — | Engine | Full report → |
| 2015 | Good | 1 | 16 | — | — | — | Engine | Full report → |
| 2014 | Good | 1 | 23 | — | — | — | Fuel/Propulsion System | Full report → |
| 2013 | Caution | 2 | 44 | 5 | 5 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2012 | Caution | 4 | 40 | — | — | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2011 | Good | 3 | 14 | 1 | 1 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2010 | Good | 3 | 12 | 5 | — | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2009 | Good | 4 | 12 | — | — | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2008 | Caution | 3 | 40 | — | — | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2007 | Caution | 3 | 38 | 3 | — | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2006 | Caution | 3 | 40 | 1 | 1 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2005 | Avoid | 3 | 69 | 1 | 1 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2004 | Good | 2 | 28 | — | — | — | Wheels | Full report → |
| 2003 | Caution | 3 | 33 | 1 | 1 | — | Fuel System / Gasoline | Full report → |
| 2002 | Avoid | 2 | 44 | 5 | 10 | — | Vehicle Speed Control | Full report → |
25 model years shown. Crashes, injuries, and deaths from NHTSA complaint filings. Click any year for full details.
Most Common Audi A6 Problems
Based on 687 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years.
Recent Safety Recalls — Audi A6 (2022–2026)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022 Audi A6 Sedan, A4 Sedan, Q5, and Q5 Sportback vehicles. The semiconductor inside the engine control unit may short-circuit and cause an engine stall.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 24iH.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 AUDI A8, A6 Allroad, E-TRON Quattro, 2022 S3, RSQ8, RS7, RS6 Avant, Q8, Q7, Q3, E-TRON Sportback Quattro, S5 Cabriolet, E-TRON GT, S5 Sportback, A7, A6, A5 Sportback, A5 Cabriolet, A4, A4 Allroad, A3, S8, SQ7, SQ8, S6, and S4 vehicles. The infotainment main unit may become damaged internally when the vehicle is shut off, resulting in an inoperative rearview camera display the next time the vehicle is started. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Remedy: Dealers will replace the infotainment main unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91Ei.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Audi S7, S6 Sedan, A6 Allroad, 2021-2022 RS7, RS6 Avant, 2019-2022 A7, and A6 Sedan vehicles. Liquid spilled in the rear seat may penetrate and cause the gateway control module to shut down.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90V2.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 RS6 Avant and RS7, 2020-2022 A6 Allroad, S6 Sedan, and S7, and 2019-2022 A6 Sedan and A7 vehicles. The fuel level sender may stick, causing an inaccurate fuel level reading to be displayed on the instrument cluster.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new sensor in the tank, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2023. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 20DN.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2025 SQ6 E-Tron, SQ6 Sportback E-Tron, Q6 Sportback E-Tron, A6, A5, A6 Sportback E-Tron, Q6 E-Tron, S5, and S6 Sportback E-Tron vehicles. The automatic locking retractor may fail to engage when a child seat is installed using the seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the right and left rear seat belt assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 16, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69D8. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.
Showing 6 recalls from 2022–2026 model years. See the full year-specific pages for older recalls.
Recent Owner Complaints
Direct reports filed with NHTSA by Audi A6 owners — 2022–2026 model years.
While driving yesterday, the MMI reset and included the dashboard. The dash completely froze for a couple minutes(including the speedometer), and then the whole system blacked out and restarted. There has been a check engine light on since I got the car in December. Havent been able to get a service appointment with a loaner. Also since new, adaptive cruise control works intermittently with a warning that a door is open(when all doors are completely closed).
I own a new 2026 Audi A6 Prestige that I just purchased and have 320 miles on so far. The vehicle is experiencing a driver assistance system malfunction. The instrument cluster repeatedly displays “Driver assistance: limited,” along with warnings that Lane Assist and High Beam Assist are unavailable. The warning messages and audible chimes occur repeatedly while driving, approximately every few seconds or minutes. The alerts and beeping repeatedly interrupt driving and create a distraction that takes the driver’s attention away from the road. This is a big safety issue. The vehicle has been taken to an authorized Audi dealership. The dealer confirmed the issue but advised that the fix is a software update that has not yet been released by the manufacturer. Because the update is not yet available, the vehicle continues to operate with driver assistance safety systems disabled and with repeated warning alerts occurring during normal driving. The concern is that the repeated alerts and chimes during driving create a driver distraction and affect safe operation of the vehicle. The manufacturer has indicated a software update may be released in the future, but there is currently no repair available. This is a safety concern as it constantly takes me away from driving and looking at the constant alerts and beeps. These includes items such as: - alerts repeat while driving - driver-assistance safety systems unavailable - warning tones and pop-ups repeatedly distract the driver I do not blame the dealership as they have done everything they can do, but how can Audi not make this a top priority to be fixed. I am told that this is impacting almost all new Audi cars including the A5 and A6s. Thanks for your help. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Was driving on the highway, all of a sudden showed a sign of transmission malfunction and started decelerating which I could safely navigate the vehicle to the side of the road, got the vehicle towed to repair shop which they reported a transmission code P17F900- parking lock mechanical malfunction with codes P074700 and p077700 I am just out of warranty for this vehicle as I crossed 48000 miles. They have issued bulletins regarding this problem but no recall or extended warranty on that part this I deem as dangerous
Entered a roundabout at perhaps 15mph. RR tire hits small area on rounded curbing where a small piece of concrete curbing (perhaps 3” wide by 8” high) had come out. Tire made contact with this area. Sidewall blew out. Had to have car towed and new tire installed. Over $400. I contacted Continental USA and opened a case. They said there was nothing they could do. Suggested I have the tire dealer call them. Discount Tire, who took pictures of the sidewall issue, call Continental referencing my case. Continental told Discount Tire that they were unwilling to help. I have seen others reporting similar sidewall blowout issues on this tire. I am thankful I wasn’t traveling any faster. At the time of this incident, the 2026 Audi A6 Allroad had only sixty (60) miles on it!
4 total complaints retrieved from NHTSA for 2022–2026. For older model years, see individual year pages.
A6 Years to Avoid
Best A6 Years to Buy
Audi A6 Problems by Year
Frequently Asked Questions — Audi A6 Reliability
What year A6 has the most problems?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2019 Audi A6 had the highest combined complaint and recall count — 95 complaints and 4 safety recalls. See the full 2019 report for specific defects.
Is the Audi A6 reliable?
The Audi A6 has accumulated 687 owner-filed complaints and 65 safety recalls across all model years in NHTSA's database. The 2024 model year shows the fewest reported issues. Always run a VIN check before purchasing any used A6.
What are the most common A6 problems?
The most frequently cited problem areas are: Air Bags (146 reports), Electrical System (120 reports), Engine (68 reports), Steering (39 reports). Based on NHTSA complaints across all model years.
How do I check if my A6 has an open recall?
Use the vehicle's 17-character VIN at VinCheckEngine.com. Our free VIN report pulls the latest NHTSA recall data along with auction history, odometer records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Check a Specific Audi A6 VIN
Model-level data shows what can go wrong. A VIN-specific report shows what has gone wrong with a particular vehicle — including auction history, odometer discrepancies, open recalls, accident records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
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