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
7 recalls · 92 complaints
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 113
2 recalls · 69 complaints
1 reported injury
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 77
4 recalls · 44 complaints
10 reported injuries
Top issue: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Problem score: 76
Best Audi A6 Years to Buy
1 recall · 0 complaints
Main area: No significant complaints
Problem score: 3
1 recall · 1 complaint
Main area: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Problem score: 4
1 recall · 3 complaints
Main area: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Problem score: 6
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 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 6 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 2 | 3 | — | — | 9 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 4 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 13 | Good |
| 2021 | 11 | 13 | — | — | 46 | Caution |
| 2020 | 8 | 36 | 2 | — | 64 | Caution |
| 2019 | 7 | 92 | — | — | 113 | Avoid |
| 2018 | 1 | 10 | — | — | 13 | Good |
| 2017 | 2 | 15 | — | — | 21 | Good |
| 2016 | 3 | 53 | — | — | 62 | Caution |
| 2015 | 4 | 16 | — | — | 28 | Good |
| 2014 | 4 | 23 | — | — | 35 | Good |
| 2013 | 6 | 44 | 5 | — | 72 | Caution |
| 2012 | 8 | 40 | — | — | 64 | Caution |
| 2011 | 1 | 14 | 1 | — | 19 | 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 | 4 | 28 | — | — | 40 | Caution |
| 2003 | 7 | 33 | 1 | — | 56 | Caution |
| 2002 | 4 | 44 | 10 | — | 76 | 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 3 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 7 recalls, 92 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 113 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year A6 to buy?+
The 2024 Audi A6 is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 3. It has only 1 recall and 0 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which A6 has the fewest problems?+
The 2024, 2023, 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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