Audi A6 Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Across 21 model years, the Audi A6 shows the highest complaint index in 2019 (100) and 2008 (95), making 2005, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2016, and 2019 the years to avoid. 2017 and 2018 are the Best years with complaint indexes of 20 and 15, while 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2025 rate Good.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2005Avoid 2008Avoid 2012Avoid 2013Avoid 2016Avoid 2019Best 2017Best 2018
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 766
- Recall campaigns
- 33
- Crashes reported
- 20
- Fires reported
- 11
- Top problem area
- Airbags
A6 Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Audi A6 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Avoid | 90 | 91 | 1 | 2 | 3 | Airbags | 19 | — |
| 2006 | Caution | 70 | 67 | 3 | 1 | 4 | Airbags | 19.5 | — |
| 2007 | Caution | 65 | 53 | 4 | 0 | 4 | Airbags | 20 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 95 | 71 | 2 | 1 | 4 | Airbags | 20 | — |
| 2009 | Good | 30 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Airbags | 21 | — |
| 2010 | Good | 35 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 3 | Airbags | 21 | — |
| 2011 | Good | 40 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 21 | — |
| 2012 | Avoid | 75 | 59 | 0 | 0 | 8 | Engine | 25 | — |
| 2013 | Avoid | 85 | 52 | 2 | 2 | 6 | Airbags | 24 | — |
| 2014 | Caution | 55 | 41 | 1 | 0 | 4 | Fuel System | 25.5 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 50 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 4 | Engine | 25.5 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Avoid | 80 | 51 | 0 | 2 | 3 | Engine | 26.5 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Best | 20 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 25 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Best | 15 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 2 | Engine | 26 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 100 | 114 | 2 | 1 | 7 | Electrical System | 26 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Caution | 60 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 9 | Electrical System | 24 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 45 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 11 | Electrical System | 24 | 5★ |
| 2022 | No verdict | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 24 | — |
| 2023 | No verdict | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 24 | — |
| 2024 | No verdict | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Brakes | 25 | — |
| 2025 | Good | 25 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Structure & Body | 25 | — |
A6 years to avoid: what went wrong
2019 Audi A6 Index 100 · 114 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2019 A6 has the highest complaint index of any year, 100, dominated by electrical system complaints at 75% of the total with a median failure mileage of just 13,514. Owners reported electrical system malfunction warnings followed by the vehicle stalling, sometimes with smoke near the battery, and engine oil pressure warnings with no dealer fix. Some complaints describe failures at very low mileage. Seven recall campaigns cover this year, including brake fluid caps and rearview camera and lane departure software errors.
2019 electrical system problems →2019 engine problems →2019 transmission & powertrain problems →
2008 Audi A6 Index 95 · 71 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2008 A6 has a complaint index of 95, the second highest of any year, with airbags making up 69% of complaints at a median failure mileage of 102,000. Owners reported sudden engine shutdowns while driving at highway speeds and smoke or violent shaking on startup. Electrical system complaints, at 17% of the total, included central computer failures causing the car to shut down in traffic. Three recall campaigns cover passenger frontal airbag inflator replacement for this year.
2005 Audi A6 Index 90 · 91 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2005 A6 carries a complaint index of 90, driven mostly by airbags, which made up 47% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 111,000. Electrical system issues, including rear tail lights failing to illuminate, accounted for another 20% of reports at a median of 110,500 miles. Three recall campaigns target this year, all involving passenger frontal airbag inflators. Owners also described brake response delays during hard stops. NHTSA lists no do-not-drive recalls for this year.
2013 Audi A6 Index 85 · 52 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2013 A6 has a complaint index of 85, with airbags at 35% of complaints (median failure mileage 66,000) and engine problems at 31% (median 60,935.5 miles). Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in frontal crashes and unintended acceleration leading to collisions. Electrical system complaints included smoke from air vents while driving. Six recall campaigns cover this year, including seat frame stress issues and engine auxiliary pump replacement.
2016 Audi A6 Index 80 · 51 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2016 A6 has a complaint index of 80, driven by engine problems at 39% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 26,287. Owners reported the vehicle stumbling or cutting off while idling, then regaining power moments later, plus a body seam welding defect that let water reach electrical modules. Fuel system complaints, 18% of the total, align with a recall for leaking fuel rails. Three recall campaigns apply, covering fuel rails, an auxiliary heater connector, and seat frames.
2012 Audi A6 Index 75 · 59 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2012 A6 has a complaint index of 75, led by engine problems at 27% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 76,000. Owners described unintended acceleration episodes while stopped or slowing, plus airbag and electrical complaints each near a quarter of the total. Fuel system complaints, 19% of the total, included fuel line leaks from wear, matching a dedicated recall for weakened fuel lines. Eight recall campaigns apply to this year, covering airbags, engine oil pumps, and fuel lines.
Most common Audi A6 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Airbags264 (34%)
- Electrical System211 (28%)
- Engine153 (20%)
- Steering61 (8%)
- Other54 (7%)
- Fuel System53 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain50 (7%)
- Brakes47 (6%)
- Structure & Body32 (4%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras30 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Audi A6 should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, 2005, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2016, and 2019 are the years to avoid, with 2019 having the highest complaint index at 100.
- What are the best Audi A6 years?
- 2017 and 2018 are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 20 and 15, the lowest of any A6 model year along with fewer recalls at 3 and 2 campaigns.
- Is the 2019 Audi A6 reliable?
- The 2019 A6 has the highest complaint index (100) among all A6 years, with 75% of its 114 complaints tied to the electrical system and seven recall campaigns.
- Why does the Audi A6 have so many airbag complaints?
- Airbags account for 264 of 766 total complaints across all years, 34% of the total, tied to several recall campaigns for passenger frontal airbag inflators affecting 2005-2011 models.
- Does the Audi A6 have a recall for electrical issues?
- Yes, several years including 2019, 2020, and 2021 list electrical system as a top problem area, and 2021 carries 11 recall campaigns, capping its verdict to Caution despite a lower complaint index of 45.