2017 Audi A6 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2017 Audi A6 ranks 17th of 21 model years with a complaint index of 20 and a Best verdict. NHTSA lists 20 complaints and 3 recalls for this year, led by airbag issues, well below higher-complaint years like 2019 (index 100).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 20/100
- #17 of 21 A6 years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 20
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22 city / 31 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2017 Audi A6 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags6 (30%)
- Engine5 (25%)
- Steering5 (25%)
- Electrical System2 (10%)
- Lane Departure2 (10%)
- Other2 (10%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some owners report the engine losing power completely while driving, with dealers pointing to a fuel pump or fuel rail issue.
- Owners describe airbag recall repairs (campaign 18V370000) being delayed for months due to parts shortages, leaving the passenger seat unusable in the meantime.
- Some drivers report warning lights for power steering and ABS appearing together with the instrument panel going blank, followed by a message stating the vehicle was unsafe to drive.
- One owner reported the vehicle accelerating on its own after releasing the brake at a stop sign, with no warning light illuminated.
- A steering rack failure was reported around 54,000 miles, with the owner noting the same part is covered under extended warranty on the 2016 model year.
- One owner reported the engine overheating with the check engine light on, traced to a faulty thermostat/temp control actuator.
2017 Audi A6 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V035000Jan 16, 2019Fuel System74,881 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel rail
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Q7, A6 and A7 vehicles, and 2015-2018 Audi A8 vehicles. The left and right fuel rails may leak fuel.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the left and right fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 24DP.
- 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.
- NHTSA 16V955000Dec 29, 2016Seat Belts5,947 vehicles
Seat belts:pretensioner
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
2017 Audi A6 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 31 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,200
- 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.
2017 compared with other A6 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Audi A6 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 Audi A6 has a complaint index of 20, the second-lowest among 21 model years, and carries a Best verdict relative to other A6 years.
- What problems does the 2017 Audi A6 have?
- NHTSA lists 20 complaints for the 2017 A6, with Airbags (30%), Engine (25%), and Steering (25%) as the top problem areas. Median mileage at failure was 14,100 miles overall.
- Does the 2017 Audi A6 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls: a fuel rail leak recall (19V035000), an airbag/seat pod sensor recall (18V370000), and a seat belt/airbag recall (16V955000). None are do-not-drive recalls.
- What year Audi A6 should I avoid?
- Among A6 years, 2019 has the highest complaint index at 100 and an Avoid verdict, along with 2005, 2008, 2012, 2013, and 2016. The 2017 model year is not one of them.
- How does the 2017 Audi A6 compare to other years?
- The 2017 A6 ranks 17th worst out of 21 years tracked, meaning only a few years have fewer reported complaints, including 2018 with an index of 15.