CarBrief

The 2014 Audi A6 has 41 owner complaints on file with NHTSA[1] and four recalls, covering the fuel line, the coolant pump and the passenger air bag sensor[2][3][4][5]. Check that all recall repairs were done before you buy.

41owner complaints[1]
4recalls[6]
21–29MPG combined (EPA)[7]
5★NHTSA overall rating[8]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 41 owner complaints on file for the 2014 A6[1]. One mentions a crash, and none mention a fire, injury or death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several components.

Component group Complaints
Steering[9] 8
Air bags[10] 7
Fuel/propulsion system[11] 6
Engine[12] 6
Brakes[13] 4
Unknown or other[14] 3
Electrical system[15] 2
Structure[16] 2

Steering. It is the largest group, with a median mileage at failure of 62,200[9]. In the sample of steering complaints we read, 6 of 8 describe losing power steering assist, steering that gets very hard to turn, or a locked wheel[9]. Some owners say a dash warning told them not to drive, and some describe repair bills of several thousand dollars[9].

Air bags. In a sample of air bag complaints we read, several owners describe waiting months for parts for the passenger sensor recall, or an open recall that was never repaired[10]. That recall is covered below.

Fuel. In the fuel complaints we read, 4 of 6 describe a fuel smell or fumes in or around the car[11]. Some owners mention the fuel line recall[11].

Engine. Owners in the engine sample describe oil consumption, low oil warnings or reduced oil pressure in 3 of 6 texts, and 2 of 6 describe waiting for coolant pump recall parts[12].

The samples are small, so treat these as themes to ask about, not as rates.

Recalls

NHTSA lists four recalls that apply to this car. All four have a free remedy at dealers.

Some owners in our complaint samples say repair parts were not available when they wrote[10][12]. Ask a dealer to run the VIN for open recalls and confirm parts are in.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. All use premium fuel except the diesel[17][18][19][7].

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2.0L turbo, front-wheel drive[18] 25 / 33 / 28 $2,950
2.0L turbo, all-wheel drive[19] 20 / 29 / 23 $3,550
3.0L, all-wheel drive[17] 18 / 27 / 21 $3,900
3.0L turbo diesel, all-wheel drive[7] 24 / 38 / 29 $3,300

EPA annual fuel cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the all-wheel-drive sedan 5 stars overall, with 5 stars for frontal, side and rollover[8]. The front-wheel-drive sedan gets the same ratings[20]. NHTSA lists rollover risk at 9.0% for both[8][20].

Engine and size

The EPA test car list shows 211 hp for the 2.0L 4-cylinder[21] and 333 hp for the 3.0L 6-cylinder[22]. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Version Curb weight
2.0 TFSI quattro[23] 3,957 lb
3.0 TFSI quattro[24] 4,101 lb
TDI quattro[25] 4,178 lb

All three sedans list length 194 in, width 74 in, height 57 in and wheelbase 115 in[23][24][25].

How 2014 compares with other years

1995: 16 complaints, 2 recalls19951996: 51 complaints, 2 recalls1997: 20 complaints, 2 recalls1998: 130 complaints, 10 recalls1999: 217 complaints, 9 recalls19992000: 148 complaints, 4 recalls2001: 113 complaints, 7 recalls2002: 88 complaints, 4 recalls2003: 66 complaints, 7 recalls20032004: 35 complaints, 4 recalls2005: 91 complaints, 3 recalls2006: 67 complaints, 4 recalls2007: 53 complaints, 4 recalls20072008: 71 complaints, 4 recalls2009: 21 complaints, 4 recalls2010: 17 complaints, 3 recalls2011: 21 complaints, 3 recalls20112012: 60 complaints, 8 recalls2013: 52 complaints, 6 recalls2014: 41 complaints, 4 recalls4120142015: 22 complaints, 4 recalls20152016: 51 complaints, 3 recalls2017: 20 complaints, 3 recalls2018: 11 complaints, 2 recalls2019: 114 complaints, 7 recalls20192020: 34 complaints, 9 recalls2021: 27 complaints, 12 recalls2022: 4 complaints, 5 recalls2023: 3 complaints, 1 recalls20232024: 3 complaints, 1 recalls2025: 9 complaints, 3 recalls2026: 9 complaints, 1 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each A6 model year. The 2014 is highlighted[6].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
1995162
1996512
1997202
199813010
19992179
20001484
20011137
2002884
2003667
2004354
2005913
2006674
2007534
2008714
2009214
2010173
2011213
2012608
2013526
2014414
2015224
2016513
2017203
2018112
20191147
2020349
20212712
202245
202331
202431
202593
202691

The 2014 A6 has 41 complaints and 4 recalls[6]. Next to its neighbors, 2012 has 60 complaints and 8 recalls, 2013 has 52 and 6, 2015 has 22 and 4, and 2016 has 51 and 3[6]. So 2014 sits in the middle of that group on complaints. It has more than 2015 (22 complaints) and 2017 (20 complaints) and fewer than 2012, 2013 and 2016[6]. Its 4 recalls match 2015, and are fewer than 2012 and 2013 and more than 2016 and 2017 (3 each)[6].

These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so use them as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2014 A6?

The crash ratings are strong at 5 stars[8][20], and the complaint count is middling for the model's years[1][6]. Two things to check are the four recalls[2][3][4][5] and the steering complaints, where owners describe sudden loss of assist[9]. Ask for proof that every recall repair was done, and ask about any steering warnings. If fuel cost matters, the 2.0L front-wheel-drive version and the diesel have the best combined MPG[18][7].

Frequently asked questions

Which complaint groups are largest for the 2014 Audi A6?
Steering has the most complaints with 8 of 41[1][9]. Air bags have 7[10], and fuel and engine have 6 each[11][12].
Does the 2014 Audi A6 have recalls?
Yes, four: 18V370, 18V229, 17V781 and 17V002[2][3][4][5].
What is the gas mileage of a 2014 Audi A6?
EPA combined ratings run from 21 MPG for the 3.0L to 29 MPG for the diesel[17][7].
How safe is the 2014 Audi A6?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall[8][20].
Is 2014 a good year for the Audi A6?
It has 41 complaints, fewer than 2012, 2013 and 2016 but more than 2015[6].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 41 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Audi A6 (1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Recall 18V370, filed June 4, 2018: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification. NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 18V229, filed April 11, 2018: Engine And Engine Cooling › Cooling System. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 17V781, filed December 6, 2017: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 17V002, filed January 3, 2017: Engine And Engine Cooling › Cooling System. NHTSA recall database
  6. Owner complaints and recalls for every Audi A6 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  7. EPA rating for A6 quattro, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Diesel, All-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 38 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  8. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.0%. NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 8 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,200). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 7 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 6 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 6 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 4 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 3 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 2 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 2 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  17. EPA rating for A6 quattro, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for A6, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AV-S8), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 33 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for A6 quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.0%. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2014 Audi A6 with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 211 hp. www.epa.gov
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2014 Audi A6 with 3.0L 6-cylinder: rated 333 hp. www.epa.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A6 4DR SEDAN 2.0 TFSI QUATTRO: length 194 in, width 74 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 3,957 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A6 4DR SEDAN 3.0 TFSI QUATTRO: length 194 in, width 74 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 4,101 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A6 4DR SEDAN TDI QUATTRO: length 194 in, width 74 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 4,178 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.