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Which year to buy
Best bet2018Fewest serious problems: 0.2× usual
Newest we'd buy2024The latest year rated a good buy
Avoid2019Far more serious problems than usual
Be careful2013, 2020, 2025More problems; check the recalls were done
Too new to judge: 2026. Give a new year a year or two of owner reports.
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.
2012GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual Extended coverage
52 serious complaints of 59, the most about air bags (14) and engine (13); per car on the road, 1.2× this model's usual year. 8 recalls.
What owners report
“Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 audi a6. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 18v004000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the air bags, Jun 2018
“O-ring failure in 2012 a6 3.0 caused the transmission to internally leak fluid causing the electonic system to go bad. All of the following lights came on when issue started.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Dec 2015
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage Was revised on 11/13/18 to include a proration table for consequential damage repair reimbursement. This bulletin explains the extended warranty for the timing chain/timing chain tensioner in certain vehicles. (AWA 18-15-201811, Nov 2018)
- Extended coverage This document contains information on the warranty extension for fuel injectors. (Customer, Jan 2015)
- Extended coverage This document contains general information on the upcoming warranty extension on the high pressure fuel pump. (Dealer, Apr 2015)
- Extended coverage Audi: all audi 2011-2012 model year with an 2.0 tfsi engine will be extending the warranty on all fuel injectors. 7/23/15 *ta (PRI-A, Jul 2015)
- Extended coverage This bulletin explains the extended warranty for the timing chain/timing chain tensioner in certain vehicles. (AWA 18-15, Aug 2018)
- Extended coverage The communication contains the details of the water pump extended warranty. (AWA 19, Dec 2019)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
59 owner complaints · 8 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 22–28 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2012 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo; 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged · Drive: AWD, FWD
2012 A6 trims
| Premium | Premium Plus | quattro | quattro Premium | quattro Premium Plus | quattro Prestige |
|---|
base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Audi reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Audi aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | — | — | — | Not rated | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 2026 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 335–362 hp | AWD | 23–24 mpg | 5 of 5 | 1 | 8 | Electrical system (4) | — |
| 2025 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 261 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 335 hp | AWD | 25–26 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 11 | Forward collision avoidance (4) | Yes |
| 2024 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 261 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 335 hp | AWD | 25–26 mpg | 5 of 5 | 1 | 5 | Service brakes (1) | Yes |
| 2023 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 261 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 335 hp | AWD | 24–27 mpg | 5 of 5 | 1 | 3 | Electrical system (1) | Yes |
| 2022 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 261 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 335 hp | 4WD, AWD | 23–26 mpg | 5 of 5 | 6 | 9 | Electrical system (4) | Yes |
| 2021 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 248–335 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 335 hp | AWD | 22–26 mpg | 5 of 5 | 12 | 30 | Electrical system (18) | Yes |
| 2020 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 248 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 335 hp | AWD | 22–27 mpg | 5 of 5 | 9 | 35 | Electrical system (25) | Yes |
| 2019 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 248 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 335 hp | AWD | 25–27 mpg | 5 of 5 | 7 | 114 | Electrical system (84) | Yes |
| 2018 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 252 hp 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged, 340 hp | AWD, FWD | 23–28 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 6 | Electrical system (2) | Yes |
| 2017 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 252 hp 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged | AWD, FWD | 24–28 mpg | 5 of 5 | 4 | 25 | Engine (8) | Yes |
| 2016 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 252 hp 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged, 240–333 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel, 240–333 hp | AWD, FWD | 24–30 mpg | 5 of 5 | 4 | 70 | Engine (30) | No |
| 2015 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged 3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel | AWD, FWD | 21–29 mpg | 5 of 5 | 5 | 27 | Engine (9) | No |
| 2014 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged 3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel | AWD, FWD | 21–29 mpg | 5 of 5 | 6 | 61 | Engine (19) | No |
| 2013 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged | AWD, FWD | 21–28 mpg | Not rated | 8 | 94 | Engine (48) | No |
| 2012 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged | AWD, FWD | 22–28 mpg | Not rated | 8 | 59 | Air bags (14) | No |
| 2011 | 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged 3.2L 6-cyl 4.2L 8-cyl | AWD, FWD | 19–24 mpg | Not rated | 3 | 21 | Air bags (12) | No |
| 2010 | 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged 3.2L 6-cyl 4.2L 8-cyl | AWD, FWD | 18–22 mpg | Not rated | 3 | 18 | Air bags (12) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Apple lists CarPlay for: A6 2017–2025 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | AUDI A6 SEDAN 4 DR ICE AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 | AUDI A6 ALLROAD SW MHEV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 2 |
| 2026 | AUDI A6 SEDAN 4 DR N/A AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 6 |
| 2026 | AUDI RS 6 AVANT PERFORMANCE SW MHEV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | Audi A6 allroad SW AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | Audi A6 Sedan 4 DR AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 2 | 6 |
| 2025 | Audi RS 6 Avant performance SW AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | Audi S6 Sedan 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 3 |
| 2024 | Audi A6 allroad SW AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | Audi A6 Sedan 4 DR AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 3 |
| 2024 | Audi RS 6 Avant SW AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 2 |
| 2024 | Audi S6 Sedan 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | Audi Audi A6 allroad SW AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | Audi Audi A6 Sedan 4 DR AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | Audi Audi RS 6 Avant SW AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | Audi Audi S6 Sedan 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 | Audi Audi A6 4 DR AWD | 5 | Standard | No | 5 | 2 |
| 2022 | Audi Audi A6 allroad SW AWD | 5 | Standard | No | 4 | 2 |
| 2022 | Audi Audi RS 6 Avant SW AWD | Not Rated | Standard | No | 5 | 1 |
| 2022 | Audi Audi S6 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Standard | No | 4 | 4 |
| 2021 | Audi A6 4 DR AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 11 | 17 |
| 2021 | Audi A6 (With Rear Seat SABs) 4 DR AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 0 | 2 |
| 2021 | Audi A6 allroad SW AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 12 | 26 |
| 2021 | Audi RS 6 Avant SW AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 12 | 4 |
| 2021 | Audi S6 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 10 | 0 |
| 2020 | Audi A6 4 DR AWD | 5 | Standard | No | 9 | 25 |
| 2020 | Audi A6 4 DR FWD | 5 | Standard | No | 9 | 25 |
| 2020 | Audi A6 (With Rear Seat SABs) 4 DR FWD | 5 | Standard | No | 9 | 25 |
| 2020 | Audi A6 (With Rear Seat SABs) 4 DR AWD | 5 | Standard | No | 9 | 25 |
| 2020 | Audi A6 allroad SW AWD | 5 | Standard | No | 4 | 8 |
| 2020 | Audi S6 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Standard | No | 6 | 2 |
| 2019 | Audi A6 4 DR AWD | 5 | No | No | 7 | 114 |
| 2019 | Audi A6 4 DR FWD | 5 | No | No | 7 | 114 |
| 2018 | Audi A6 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | No | 0 | 2 |
| 2018 | Audi A6 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | No | 0 | 2 |
| 2018 | Audi S6 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | No | 1 | 4 |
| 2017 | Audi A6 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | No | 3 | 20 |
| 2017 | Audi A6 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | No | 3 | 20 |
| 2017 | Audi S6 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | No | 2 | 5 |
| 2016 | Audi A6 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | No | 3 | 51 |
| 2016 | Audi A6 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | No | 3 | 51 |
| 2016 | Audi S6 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | No | 2 | 19 |
| 2015 | Audi A6 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | No | 4 | 22 |
| 2015 | Audi A6 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | No | 4 | 22 |
| 2015 | Audi S6 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | No | 2 | 5 |
| 2014 | Audi A6 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | No | 4 | 41 |
| 2014 | Audi A6 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | No | 4 | 41 |
| 2014 | Audi S6 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | No | 3 | 20 |
| 2013 | Audi A6 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 6 | 52 |
| 2013 | Audi A6 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 6 | 52 |
| 2013 | Audi S6 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 3 | 42 |
| 2012 | Audi A6 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 8 | 59 |
| 2012 | Audi A6 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 8 | 59 |
| 2011 | Audi A6 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 19 |
| 2011 | Audi A6 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 19 |
| 2011 | Audi A6 Avant SW AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 21 |
| 2011 | Audi S6 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 0 |
| 2011 | Audi S6 Avant SW AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 0 |
| 2010 | Audi A6 4-DR. w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 17 |
| 2010 | Audi A6 Avant Wagon w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 17 |
| 2010 | Audi S6 4-DR. w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | A6 Allroad quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo | 24 |
| 2026 | A6 Sedan | Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo | 23 |
| 2025 | A6 Allroad quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2025 | A6 quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
25–26 |
| 2024 | A6 Allroad quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2024 | A6 quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
25–26 |
| 2023 | A6 Allroad | Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo | 24 |
| 2023 | A6 quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
24–27 |
| 2022 | A6 Allroad quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo | 23 |
| 2022 | A6 quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
24–26 |
| 2021 | A6 Allroad | Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo | 22 |
| 2021 | A6 quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
24–26 |
| 2020 | A6 Allroad | Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo | 22 |
| 2020 | A6 quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
24–27 |
| 2019 | A6 quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
25–27 |
| 2018 | A6 | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 28 |
| 2018 | A6 quattro | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg |
23–26 |
| 2017 | A6 | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 28 |
| 2017 | A6 quattro | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg |
24–25 |
| 2016 | A6 | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 28 |
| 2016 | A6 quattro | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg |
24–30 |
| 2015 | A6 | Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 28 |
| 2015 | A6 quattro | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg |
21–29 |
| 2014 | A6 | Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 28 |
| 2014 | A6 quattro | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg |
21–29 |
| 2013 | A6 | Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 28 |
| 2013 | A6 quattro | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg |
21–24 |
| 2012 | A6 | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 28 |
| 2012 | A6 quattro | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg | 22 |
| 2011 | A6 | Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.2 L | 24 |
| 2011 | A6 Avant quattro | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg | 21 |
| 2011 | A6 quattro | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.2 L |
19–21 |
| 2010 | A6 | Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.2 L | 22 |
| 2010 | A6 Avant quattro | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg | 21 |
| 2010 | A6 quattro | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.2 L |
18–21 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.