NHTSA has 11 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Audi A6[1]. The engine group is the biggest[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups from the stories we read, biggest first.
- Engine. 7 complaints[2]. Owners describe the car hesitating or going dead for a moment when they press the pedal, warning lights coming on, and coolant leaking from the cooling system.
- Fuel/Propulsion System. 4 complaints[6]. Owners describe the car stalling at low speed as if fuel is not reaching the engine, a warning light with faster fuel loss, and one report of a fire near the fuel tank while parked. One owner says two dealer visits did not fix the stalling.
- Unknown Or Other. 2 complaints[7]. These reports do not name a clear part.
- Power Train. 1 complaint[8]. The owner describes the car failing to pick up speed for a short time after a slow turn.
- Electrical System. 1 complaint[9]. This one involves a fire report.
- Air Bags. 1 complaint[10]. The owner says a recall repair could not be done because parts were not available.
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2018 A6 is necessarily included.
- Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail (19V035), January 2019. About 74,881 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[11]
- Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification (18V370), June 2018. About 139,249 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[12]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| A6 quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive[13] | 22 / 31 / 26 | $3,150 |
| A6, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S7), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive[4] | 25 / 34 / 28 | $2,950 |
| A6 quattro, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive[14] | 20 / 29 / 23 | $3,550 |
Safety ratings
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2018 Audi A6 with 2.0L 4-cylinder[16] | 252 hp |
| 2018 Audi A6 with 3.0L 6-cylinder[17] | 340 hp |
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
How 2018 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 16 | 2 |
| 1996 | 51 | 2 |
| 1997 | 20 | 2 |
| 1998 | 130 | 10 |
| 1999 | 217 | 9 |
| 2000 | 148 | 4 |
| 2001 | 113 | 7 |
| 2002 | 88 | 4 |
| 2003 | 66 | 7 |
| 2004 | 35 | 4 |
| 2005 | 91 | 3 |
| 2006 | 67 | 4 |
| 2007 | 53 | 4 |
| 2008 | 71 | 4 |
| 2009 | 21 | 4 |
| 2010 | 17 | 3 |
| 2011 | 21 | 3 |
| 2012 | 60 | 8 |
| 2013 | 52 | 6 |
| 2014 | 41 | 4 |
| 2015 | 22 | 4 |
| 2016 | 51 | 3 |
| 2017 | 20 | 3 |
| 2018 | 11 | 2 |
| 2019 | 114 | 7 |
| 2020 | 34 | 9 |
| 2021 | 27 | 12 |
| 2022 | 4 | 5 |
| 2023 | 3 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 | 1 |
| 2025 | 9 | 3 |
| 2026 | 9 | 1 |
NHTSA's counts for the A6 show 11 complaints and 2 recalls for 2018[3]. Among the 32 model years listed, 5 have fewer complaints than 2018 and 26 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2023 (3) and the most are for 1999 (217)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2018 A6?
The 2018 Audi A6 has a small number of complaints on file, 11 in total[1]. The engine group has the biggest share[2]. Fuel system reports include one fire[6]. Recalls exist for this year, and the count is in the by-year facts[3]. Complaints are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so read them as a guide for what to ask about and check during a test drive.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Audi A6?
- The engine group has the most complaints on file, followed by the fuel system[2][6]. See the problems section on this page for how owners describe them.
- Does the 2018 Audi A6 have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year facts show 2 recalls for this year[3]. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.
- How many complaints are there for the 2018 Audi A6?
- NHTSA has 11 owner complaints on file[1].
- What mpg does the 2018 Audi A6 get?
- See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
- Is the 2018 Audi A6 reliable?
- Complaint numbers are low, but they are unverified and not adjusted for sales[1]. Check the year comparison section and recall list before you buy.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Audi A6
Compare all model years of the Audi A6
Other Audi models from 2018
Similar cars from 2018: midsize cars
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 11 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Audi A6 (0 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 7 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Audi A6 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for A6, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S7), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 34 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 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
- 4 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 19V035, filed January 16, 2019: Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V370, filed June 4, 2018: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for A6 quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for A6 quattro, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 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
- EPA Test Car List, 2018 Audi A6 with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 252 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2018 Audi A6 with 3.0L 6-cylinder: rated 340 hp. www.epa.gov
- 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
- 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