2017 Audi A6 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
27/100
#12 most-complained of 16 A6 years
The 2017 Audi A6 has 20 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and a complaint index of 27, ranking 12th worst out of 16 model years with a "Good" verdict. Airbags account for 30% of complaints, followed by Engine and Steering at 25% each.
- Complaints
- 20
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22 city / 31 hwy
Top 2017 Audi A6 problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden loss of engine power on the highway at low mileage, later traced to a fuel pump issue.
- Airbag recall repairs were delayed for months due to unavailable parts, leaving owners unable to sell or safely use the front passenger seat.
- Some owners describe warning lights for power steering and ABS appearing along with an inoperable instrument panel and a message stating the vehicle was unsafe to drive.
- One owner reported unintended acceleration after releasing the brake pedal at a stop sign, with no warning light illuminated.
- Another owner experienced engine overheating with the check engine light on, tied to a stuck thermostat/temperature control actuator.
- A steering rack failure was reported at high mileage, with the owner noting the same part received an extended warranty on the 2016 A6 but not the 2017.
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?
- Relative to other A6 model years, the 2017 is rated "Good," with a complaint index of 27 and 20 NHTSA complaints, ranking 12th worst among 16 years covered.
- What are the most common problems with the 2017 Audi A6?
- NHTSA data shows Airbags as the top problem area, making up 30% of complaints, followed by Engine and Steering, each at 25%.
- Does the 2017 Audi A6 have any recalls?
- Yes, it has 3 recalls covering the fuel system (leaking fuel rails), airbags (seat pod sensing system), and seat belts/frontal airbags. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2017 A6 compare to other years?
- The 2017 A6 has a lower complaint index (27) than years like 2012 (80), 2013 (93), 2016 (87), and 2019 (100), which are rated Avoid, making 2017 one of the better years for this model.