YearToAvoid

2014 Audi A6 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

73/100

#5 most-complained of 16 A6 years

The 2014 Audi A6 has a Complaint Index of 73, ranking 5th worst out of 16 model years, with 41 complaints and 4 recalls. That puts it in the Caution range, better than 2012, 2013, 2016, and 2019, but worse than most other years.

Complaints
41
Recalls
4
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
25.5
22 city / 31 hwy

Top 2014 Audi A6 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Fuel System8 (20%)
  2. Steering8 (20%)
  3. Airbags7 (17%)
  4. Engine6 (15%)
  5. Other5 (12%)
  6. Brakes4 (10%)
  7. Structure & Body3 (7%)
  8. Electrical System2 (5%)
  9. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (2%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (2%)

What owners report

  • Brakes emit a loud screeching noise, and one owner reported smoke filling the garage after a plastic bag melted in the vent pipe.
  • Front tires developed sidewall bubbles at low mileage, with a replacement tire showing the same issue a few thousand miles later.
  • The electronic steering wheel jerks and squeaks at various speeds, with dealers unable to fully resolve the issue despite multiple visits.
  • Airbag warning messages appear indicating the driver or passenger airbag sensor is not functioning correctly.
  • The sunroof shattered without warning while driving, with no object striking it.
  • Brake pedal sinks toward the floor at low speeds and needs to be pumped to stop, reported after a brake fluid service.
2014 Audi A6 complaints: complaints filed per month3Dec 2013Jan 2015Feb 2018Feb 2019Jul 2020Oct 2022Mar 2025
47 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2013 to Jul 2026; peak Aug 2014 (3).

2014 Audi A6 recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 18V370000Jun 4, 2018Airbags139,249 vehicles

    Air bags:sensor:occupant classification

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Audi S6 and S7, 2012-2018 A7 and A6 Sedan, and 2014-2018 RS7 vehicles equipped with basic seats (with or without heating). Stress or wear of the body-sensing mat within the front passenger seat may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) control module to malfunction.

    Risk: 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.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a PODS system repair kit, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D5.

  2. NHTSA 18V229000Apr 11, 2018Engine342,867 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:cooling system

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.

    Risk: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.

  3. NHTSA 17V781000Dec 6, 2017Fuel System48,693 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Audi A6 and A7 vehicles. The fuel line has a compression point that can weaken, potentially resulting in a fuel leak.

    Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line, free of charge. The recall began February 5, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-888-237-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AR.

See all 4 recalls for the 2014 Audi A6 →

2014 Audi A6 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
22 MPG
Highway
31 MPG
Combined
25.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,350
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2014 compared with other A6 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2012Avoid8059825
2013Avoid9352624
2014Caution7341425.5
2015Caution6022425.5
2016Avoid8751326.5

All Audi A6 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Audi A6 reliable?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2014 A6 carries a Complaint Index of 73 and ranks 5th worst among 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. It has fewer reported problems than 2012, 2013, 2016, and 2019, but more than most other years.
What problems does the 2014 Audi A6 have?
NHTSA complaints center on the fuel system, steering, airbags, and engine, together making up most of the 41 complaints filed. The top problem area is the fuel system, at 20% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 49,400.
Does the 2014 Audi A6 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2014 A6, covering airbags (campaign 18V370000), engine coolant pump wiring (18V229000), a fuel line leak risk (17V781000), and a coolant pump software update (17V002000). None are do-not-drive recalls.
What year Audi A6 should I avoid?
Among A6 model years, 2019 has the highest Complaint Index at 100, followed by 2013 at 93 and 2016 at 87, all rated Avoid. The 2014 A6, with an index of 73, ranks better than those years but still falls under Caution.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.