YearToAvoid

2019 Audi A6 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 16 A6 years

The 2019 Audi A6 has a complaint index of 100, the worst of all 16 model years covered, with 114 complaints and 7 recalls. Electrical System issues make up 75% of complaints, making 2019 the year to avoid for this model.

Complaints
114
Recalls
7
Crashes / fires
2 / 1
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
26
23 city / 30.5 hwy

Top 2019 Audi A6 problems

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

  1. Electrical System85 (75%)
  2. Engine32 (28%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain15 (13%)
  4. Collision Avoidance & Cameras12 (11%)
  5. Steering12 (11%)
  6. Other11 (10%)
  7. Brakes6 (5%)
  8. Lane Departure5 (4%)
  9. Structure & Body3 (3%)
  10. Fuel System2 (2%)

What owners report

  • Engine stalls or dies completely when coming to a stop, especially with the auto stop/start feature engaged, requiring a full restart.
  • Electrical system malfunction warnings (yellow then red battery icon) appear before the vehicle loses power and stops running, with some reports of smoke near the battery.
  • Engine oil pressure warning light illuminates with no dealer-confirmed fix, raising concern about engine damage during operation.
  • Trunk lid closes unexpectedly while open, striking occupants who lean into the trunk.
  • Noticeable lag between pressing the accelerator and the car actually moving, especially when merging from low speed into faster traffic.
  • Airbags deployed in a low-speed crash without any prior warning signals from the vehicle's safety systems.
2019 Audi A6 complaints: complaints filed per month25Mar 2019Aug 2020Jan 2022Jan 2023Jul 2023Jan 2024Oct 2024Apr 2026
187 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2019 to Aug 2026; peak Dec 2022 (25).

2019 Audi A6 recalls

7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V125000Mar 4, 2026Lane Departure1,620 vehicles

    Lane departure:software

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019 Audi Q8, Audi A7, and Audi A6 vehicles previously repaired under recall number 25V900. Due to a software error, the lane departure warning system may be deactivated.

    Risk: 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.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 13, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TW. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 6, 2026.

  2. NHTSA 25V900000Dec 19, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras356,894 vehicles

    Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.

  3. NHTSA 23V601000Aug 25, 2023Brakes7,499 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:fluid

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi S7, S6 Sedan, RS7, RS6 Avant, A6 Allroad, 2019-2021 A7, and A6 Sedan vehicles. An incorrectly labeled brake fluid cap may have been installed, which can result in the use of the wrong type of brake fluid.

    Risk: Incorrect brake fluid can reduce braking ability and increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the brake fluid reservoir cap and, if necessary, replace it, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 17, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47T9.

See all 7 recalls for the 2019 Audi A6 →

2019 Audi A6 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
23 MPG
Highway
30.5 MPG
Combined
26 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,075
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.

2019 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
2017Good2720325
2018Best2011226
2019Avoid100114726
2020Caution6725924
2021Good40171124

All Audi A6 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Should I avoid the 2019 Audi A6?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2019 A6 has the highest complaint index (100) among all 16 model years tracked, ranking worst overall. It carries 7 recalls and 114 complaints, with electrical system problems accounting for 75% of them.
What is the most common problem with the 2019 Audi A6?
The Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 75% of complaints (85 of 114), including reports of electrical malfunction warnings and sudden loss of power.
Does the 2019 Audi A6 have engine stalling issues?
Yes, multiple owner complaints describe the engine dying at stops, particularly tied to the auto stop/start feature, sometimes leaving drivers stranded in traffic.
How many recalls does the 2019 Audi A6 have?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2019 Audi A6, covering electrical system, brakes, airbags, lane departure, and collision avoidance camera issues, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2019 A6 compare to other years?
The 2019 A6 has a complaint index of 100, higher than every other year listed, including 2012 (80), 2013 (93), and 2016 (87), making it the worst-ranked year for this model.

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.