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Audi A6: which year to buy? Recalls and complaints by year

Of 27 model years of the Audi A6 on record, 2019 has the most owner complaints at NHTSA (40, most often about electrical system). 2021 has the most recall campaigns (11). 2001 has the most complaints mentioning a crash, a fire or an injury (8).

How to read this

Each row counts what official sources have on record for that model year: recall campaigns and owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and how many of those complaints mention a crash, a fire or an injury. We do not rate reliability. Fewer complaints can also mean fewer cars sold or a newer car, so open the year before you decide. 🇺🇸 Local data

Year Recalls Complaints Crash, fire or injury Most reported Combined
2026 0 0 0 — 23 MPG
2025 0 0 0 — 26 MPG
2024 0 0 0 — 26 MPG
2023 1 2 0 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 27 MPG
2022 0 0 0 — 26 MPG
2021 11 17 0 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 26 MPG
2020 9 26 0 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 27 MPG
2019 7 40 0 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 27 MPG
2018 2 2 1 AIR BAGS 26 MPG
2017 3 20 0 AIR BAGS 25 MPG
2016 3 40 2 ENGINE 25 MPG
2015 4 22 2 ENGINE 23 MPG
2014 4 40 1 STEERING 23 MPG
2013 6 40 2 AIR BAGS 24 MPG
2012 8 40 0 AIR BAGS 28 MPG
2011 3 19 1 AIR BAGS 21 MPG
2010 3 17 3 AIR BAGS 21 MPG
2009 4 21 0 AIR BAGS 21 MPG
2008 4 40 3 AIR BAGS 20 MPG
2007 0 0 0 — 20 MPG
2006 4 40 0 AIR BAGS 20 MPG
2005 0 0 0 — 19 MPG
2004 4 35 3 FUEL SYSTEM 21 MPG
2003 7 40 4 FUEL SYSTEM 19 MPG
2002 4 40 4 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 18 MPG
2001 7 40 8 FUEL SYSTEM 18 MPG
2000 4 40 6 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18 MPG

Recalls: NHTSA campaigns only, so a defect also recalled in Canada is not counted twice. Stars: NHTSA overall rating. Fuel economy: EPA.

All years of the Audi A6

Questions

Which Audi A6 year has the most complaints?
Of 27 model years of the Audi A6 on record, 2019 has the most owner complaints at NHTSA (40, most often about electrical system).
Which Audi A6 year has the most recalls?
2021 has the most recall campaigns (11).
Which Audi A6 years have no complaints or recalls on record?
2026, 2025, 2024, 2022, 2007, 2005. That can also mean fewer cars sold or a newer car, not only a better one.
How is this comparison made?
We count, for each model year, the recall campaigns and owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and how many complaints mention a crash, a fire or an injury. We do not rate reliability: raw counts also depend on how many cars were sold and how old they are.