CarBrief

Owners filed 114 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Audi A6, and most of them name the electrical system[1][2]. The car also has 7 recalls on file, so check any specific car's recall status before you buy[3].

114owner complaints[1]
7recalls[3]
25–27MPG combined (EPA)[4]
5★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 114 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Two mention a crash, one a fire and two an injury. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component group.

Component group Complaints
Electrical system[2] 84
Engine[6] 32
Power train[7] 15
Steering[8] 12
Unknown or other[9] 11
Forward collision avoidance[10] 11
Brakes[11] 6
Lane departure[12] 5

Electrical system. This is the largest group by a wide margin[2]. In the sample of complaint texts we read, owners describe a warning about the electrical system, followed by systems shutting down or the car losing power while driving. A few say a dealer pointed to the starter generator or alternator and that parts were on back order[2]. The median mileage at failure for this group is 13,514[2].

Engine. In the sample we read, some owners describe the engine stopping at a stop, and a few link it to the auto stop/start feature. Others describe an electrical failure that ends with the engine dying on the road[6]. The median mileage at failure is 150[6]. Two of the engine complaints mention a crash[6].

Steering. Owners in the sample describe steering that turns heavy or locks up. It usually appears as part of a longer list of warnings that starts with an electrical message[8].

Power train. In the sample we read, owners describe electrical warnings followed by a loss of power, transmission warnings or the car coming to a stop. One of the 15 complaints mentions a fire[7].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 7 recalls for this model year[3]. Several cover other Audi models too. Newest first:

One owner in the complaint sample said the part for the fuel level recall was not yet available at the dealer when they checked[2]. If you are shopping for a specific car, ask the dealer or Audi to confirm which of these recalls were completed on that car.

Fuel economy

EPA lists two A6 quattro versions for this model year[20][4].

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
3.0L 6-cyl turbo[20] 22 / 29 / 25 $3,300
2.0L 4-cyl turbo[4] 24 / 32 / 27 $3,050

Both use premium fuel and all-wheel drive, with an automatic (AM-S7)[20][4]. EPA's annual fuel cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door A6 5 stars overall, in both all-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive versions[5][21]. Frontal crash is 4 stars, and side crash and rollover are 5 stars[5][21]. The rollover risk is 8.9%[5][21].

Engine and size

EPA lists a 3.0L 6-cylinder turbo and a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo for this model year[20][4]. Size comes from Canadian-market specifications, so a US car can differ slightly.

Measure Value
Length 194 in
Width 74 in
Height 57 in
Wheelbase 115 in
Curb weight 4,266 lb

The figures are for the 4-door sedan and were converted from centimeters and kilograms[22].

How 2019 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 recalls2015: 22 complaints, 4 recalls20152016: 51 complaints, 3 recalls2017: 20 complaints, 3 recalls2018: 11 complaints, 2 recalls2019: 114 complaints, 7 recalls11420192020: 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 2019 is highlighted[3].
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

NHTSA lists 114 complaints and 7 recalls for the 2019 A6[3]. Only three model years have more complaints: 1998 with 130, 1999 with 217 and 2000 with 148[3]. Every other year has fewer, and the neighbors are far lower, with 11 for 2018 and 34 for 2020[3].

On recalls, 2019 is not the highest. 1998 has 10, 1999 has 9, 2012 has 8, 2020 has 9 and 2021 has 12[3]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, and recalls often cover several models, so treat the comparison as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2019 A6?

The 2019 A6 has a high complaint count for its age, and the electrical system makes up most of it[1][2]. In the complaint sample we read, the pattern is a warning that is followed by a loss of power while driving. Seven recalls are on file, and the starter generator recall covers cars with mild-hybrid technology and 2.0TFSI engines[19]. This is not a reason to rule the car out. It is a reason to check the recall history and any past electrical repairs on the exact car you are looking at. Ratings are strong, with 5 stars overall from NHTSA[5], and the EPA combined figures are 25 and 27 MPG depending on the version[20][4].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2019 Audi A6?
Electrical system complaints are the largest group, with 84 of 114 complaints on file at NHTSA[1][2]. Owners in the sample we read describe warnings followed by a loss of power while driving[2].
Has the 2019 Audi A6 been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 recalls for this model year, covering lane departure software, the rearview camera, a brake fluid cap, a gateway module, the fuel level sender, a passenger air bag and the starter generator[13][14][15][16][17][18][19].
How many miles per gallon does a 2019 Audi A6 get?
EPA rates the 3.0L version at 25 combined MPG and the 2.0L version at 27 combined MPG[20][4].
Is the 2019 Audi A6 safe?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for frontal crash[5][21].
Is 2019 a bad year for the Audi A6?
It has more complaints than most years, at 114[3]. Only 1998, 1999 and 2000 have more[3].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 114 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Audi A6 (2 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 84 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 13,514). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Audi A6 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for A6 quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S7), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 32 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 8.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 32 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 150). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 15 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 12 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 11 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 11 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 6 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 5 complaints name the lane departure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 26V125, filed March 4, 2026: Lane Departure › Software. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 25V900, filed December 19, 2025: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 23V601, filed August 25, 2023: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Fluid. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 22V861, filed November 21, 2022: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 22V155, filed March 14, 2022: Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Fuel Gauge › Fuel Level Float / Sensor / Sending Unit. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 21V159, filed March 10, 2021: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 20V153, filed March 19, 2020: Electrical System › Starter Assembly. NHTSA recall database
  20. EPA rating for A6 quattro, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S7), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 29 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 8.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A6 4DR SEDAN: length 194 in, width 74 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 4,266 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.