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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.
2014GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual Extended coverage
54 serious complaints of 61, the most about engine (19) and steering (10); per car on the road, 1.1× this model's usual year. 6 recalls. NHTSA investigation EA22001: engine stall - turbo failure. NHTSA investigation PE21009: engine stall - turbo failure.
What owners report
“Turbo failure - car stalled while slowing on a major road. Audi is aware of the issue and the dangers of the failure, but has not issued a recall, even though they have issued multiple technical service bulletins regarding the issue and admitting to faulty parts causing the failure.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Sep 2019
“The electronic steering system on my Audi A6 failed without warning, locking my steering wheel in place. A review of on line message boards for Audi owners indicates this is a systemic problem, and has, for some owners, actually locked their steering while driving.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the steering, Oct 2022
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage This bulletin explains the warranty extension for the crankcase ventilation valve on certain 3.0L and 4.0L vehicles. (AWA 19, May 2019)
- Extended coverage This communication asks dealers to contact Audi Warranty if they have any questions about the extended warranty coverage for 2.0L and 3.0L TDI vehicles. (AWC-18, Mar 2018)
- Extended coverage Reminders - TDI Approved Emissions Modifications, Emissions Compliant Repairs, corrections and extended warranty / warranty policy and loaner vehicle overview (EmailAUTDI2L-3L, Sep 2020)
- Extended coverage This Document informs dealers on the new turbo warranty extension for 2013-2016 A4, 2013-2017 A5/Q5, and 2012-2015 A6 vehicles (AWA 21, Apr 2021)
- Repair program Diagnosed and confirmed malfunction of the vehicle’s AEB system that resulted from failure or malfunction of the AEB system’s control unit, camera(s), LIDAR, and/or sensor(s) which enable automatic emergency braking functionality. (AWA 24, May 2024)
- Repair program Removed expiration date, Updated part numbers in parts and claiming sections, General circular updates (Circular, Mar 2025)
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.
61 owner complaints · 6 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 21–29 mpg · NHTSA: 5 of 5 stars · 2014 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; 3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel · Drive: AWD, FWD
2014 A6 trims
| Premium | Premium Plus | quattro Premium Plus | quattro Premium, quattro Premium Plus | quattro Prestige | quattro Technik |
|---|
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.