2020 Audi A6 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
67/100
#6 most-complained of 16 A6 years
The 2020 Audi A6 has a complaint index of 67 and ranks 6th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Electrical System issues dominate at 68% of complaints, with 9 recalls on file and a median failure mileage of 22,000 miles.
- Complaints
- 25
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 22 city / 29 hwy
Top 2020 Audi A6 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System17 (68%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (24%)
- Other5 (20%)
- Structure & Body4 (16%)
- Steering2 (8%)
- Brakes1 (4%)
- Engine1 (4%)
- Fuel System1 (4%)
What owners report
- Automated emergency braking activates unexpectedly with no obstacles present, sometimes jolting occupants.
- Adaptive safety systems misfire at highway speed, including sudden braking and steering assist pulling toward an adjacent car.
- Dashboard and instrument panel rattle or vibrate over uneven roads and during acceleration.
- Electrical faults trigger repeated dealer visits for SOS module, software, and hardware troubles, including the vehicle stopping itself on the highway.
- Gear display glitches show PARK while the car is actually in DRIVE, or goes dark before updating.
- Liquid intrusion into the rear-seat gateway unit has caused power steering, brake, and multi-system shutdowns while driving.
2020 Audi A6 recalls
9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- NHTSA 22V861000Nov 21, 2022Electrical System50,883 vehicles
Electrical system
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Audi S7, S6 Sedan, A6 Allroad, 2021-2022 RS7, RS6 Avant, 2019-2022 A7, and A6 Sedan vehicles. Liquid spilled in the rear seat may penetrate and cause the gateway control module to shut down.
Risk: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90V2.
2020 Audi A6 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,300
- 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.
2020 compared with other A6 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Audi A6 reliable based on NHTSA data?
- Compared to other A6 model years, 2020 carries a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 67, ranking 6th worst among 16 years of data. It is not the worst A6 year, but it has more reported issues than several other years like 2018 and 2017.
- What is the most common problem with the 2020 Audi A6?
- Electrical System issues make up 68% of complaints, including gateway unit failures from liquid intrusion and gear-display glitches. Collision avoidance and camera problems account for another 24% of complaints.
- Does the 2020 Audi A6 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2020 Audi A6, covering airbags, brakes, suspension, electrical, and camera systems. None of these recalls are do-not-drive orders.
- At what mileage do 2020 Audi A6 problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure for the 2020 A6 overall is 22,000 miles, though Electrical System complaints show a median of 44,500 miles and Collision Avoidance issues show a median of 6,000 miles.