Audi A6 Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Audi A6 model year (2002–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Audi A6 Years to Avoid
3 recalls · 97 complaints
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 106
2 recalls · 69 complaints
1 reported injury
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 77
2 recalls · 44 complaints
10 reported injuries
Top issue: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Problem score: 70
Best Audi A6 Years to Buy
0 recalls · 1 complaint
Main area: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Problem score: 1
0 recalls · 3 complaints
Main area: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Problem score: 3
0 recalls · 9 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 9
Found the right year? Verify that specific A6 with a free VIN report.
Audi A6 — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 9 | — | — | 9 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 0 | 3 | — | — | 3 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 0 | 1 | — | — | 1 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 10 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 8 | 15 | — | — | 39 | Caution |
| 2020 | 6 | 36 | 2 | — | 58 | Caution |
| 2019 | 3 | 97 | — | — | 106 | Avoid |
| 2018 | 2 | 10 | — | — | 16 | Good |
| 2017 | 2 | 15 | — | — | 21 | Good |
| 2016 | 2 | 55 | — | — | 61 | Caution |
| 2015 | 2 | 16 | — | — | 22 | Good |
| 2014 | 3 | 24 | — | — | 33 | Good |
| 2013 | 3 | 44 | 5 | — | 63 | Caution |
| 2012 | 4 | 40 | — | — | 52 | Caution |
| 2011 | 1 | 17 | 1 | — | 22 | Good |
| 2010 | 1 | 12 | — | — | 15 | Good |
| 2009 | 2 | 12 | — | — | 18 | Good |
| 2008 | 3 | 40 | — | — | 49 | Caution |
| 2007 | 3 | 38 | — | — | 47 | Caution |
| 2006 | 3 | 40 | 1 | — | 51 | Caution |
| 2005 | 2 | 69 | 1 | — | 77 | Avoid |
| 2004 | 2 | 28 | — | — | 34 | Good |
| 2003 | 5 | 33 | 1 | — | 50 | Caution |
| 2002 | 2 | 44 | 10 | — | 70 | Avoid |
All 25 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Audi A6 Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2024Recent A6 models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2024 stands out with just 0 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2017Mid-decade A6 units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2017 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder A6 models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year A6 should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2019 Audi A6 if possible. It has 3 recalls, 97 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 106 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year A6 to buy?+
The 2023 Audi A6 is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 1. It has only 0 recalls and 1 complaint on record with NHTSA.
Which A6 has the fewest problems?+
The 2023, 2025, 2026 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Audi A6 Research
Check a Specific Audi A6 VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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