Audi A6 years to avoid (and the best years)
438 NHTSA owner complaints and 28 recalls across 11 model years, 2010 to 2021. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 438complaints
- 28recalls
- 10reported crashes
- 6reported fires
- 7reported injuries
Which Audi A6 years should you avoid?
No Audi A6 model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Audi A6 year has 25 complaints on file. The busiest years are the 2019 (114), 2012 (59) and 2013 (52).
What are the best Audi A6 years?
The Audi A6 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2021 (16), 2010 (17) and 2017 (20). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 16 | 0.6× | 11 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2020 | 25 | 1.0× | 9 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2019 | 114 | 4.6× | 7 | 2 | 2 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2017 | 20 | 0.8× | 3 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2016 | 51 | 2.0× | 3 | 0 | 1 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2015 | 22 | 0.9× | 4 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2014 | 41 | 1.6× | 4 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Steering |
| 2013 | 52 | 2.1× | 6 | 2 | 2 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
| 2012 | 59 | 2.4× | 8 | 0 | 0 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2011 | 21 | 0.8× | 3 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2010 | 17 | 0.7× | 3 | 2 | 0 | Few red flags | Airbags |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 80 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Electrical & infotainment28 (35%)
- Airbags & seat belts23 (29%)
- Engine & powertrain10 (12%)
- Other systems6 (8%)
- Structure & body5 (6%)
Recalls (28)
Safety · 26V125000 · Mar 2026 · model year 2019
The driver may be unaware that the lane departure warning system is deactivated and rely on a system that is not functional, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 25V900000 · Dec 2025 · model years 2019, 2020, 2021
A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 25V201000 · Mar 2025 · model year 2021
An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 23V601000 · Aug 2023 · model years 2019, 2020, 2021
Incorrect brake fluid can reduce braking ability and increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 22V861000 · Nov 2022 · model years 2019, 2020, 2021
A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 22V742000 · Oct 2022 · model year 2021
A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 22V155000 · Mar 2022 · model years 2019, 2020, 2021
An inaccurate fuel reading may cause an engine stall due to lack of fuel, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tires · 22V034000 · Jan 2022 · model years 2020, 2021
Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 21V606000 · Aug 2021 · model year 2021
An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Suspension · 21V295000 · Apr 2021 · model years 2020, 2021
A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 21V159000 · Mar 2021 · model years 2019, 2020, 2021
An incorrectly manufactured air bag may not deploy properly, and could also eject plastic debris into the passenger compartment, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Electrical system · 20V749000 · Dec 2020 · model year 2021
A detached connector can delay the activation of the restraint systems, including the side air bag, curtain air bag and/or seat-belt pretensioners during a side impact crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Airbags · 20V274000 · May 2020 · model year 2020
In the event of a crash, the passenger air bag may not properly deploy and inflate, and small plastic parts may enter the cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
Electrical system · 20V153000 · Mar 2020 · model years 2019, 2020
A short circuit in the starter generator increases the risk of a fire.
Fuel system · 19V035000 · Jan 2019 · model years 2016, 2017
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.
Electrical system · 18V862000 · Dec 2018 · model years 2015, 2016
The extra resistance can cause the connector to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 18V427000 · Jun 2018 · model years 2010, 2011
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 18V370000 · Jun 2018 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
If the PODS module malfunctions, the front passenger air bag may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Engine · 18V229000 · Apr 2018 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 18V004000 · Jan 2018 · model years 2010, 2011
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fuel system · 17V781000 · Dec 2017 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Engine · 17V002000 · Jan 2017 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Seat belts · 16V955000 · Dec 2016 · model year 2017
In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Fuel system · 16V646000 · Sep 2016 · model years 2012, 2013
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 16V382000 · Jun 2016 · model years 2010, 2011
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 15V823000 · Dec 2015 · model years 2012, 2013
An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of occupant injury in a crash.
Fuel system · 15V019000 · Jan 2015 · model year 2012
A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 11V580000 · Dec 2011 · model year 2012
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE HEAD CURTAIN AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF AN INJURY.