2018 Audi A6

Routine

Owners filed 11 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine7
000
Unknown or Other1
000
Fuel/Propulsion System1
000
Electrical System1
010
Air Bags1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail19V035000
Filed Jan 16, 201974,881 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Q7, A6 and A7 vehicles, and 2015-2018 Audi A8 vehicles. The left and right fuel rails may leak fuel.

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.

Remedy. Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the left and right fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 24DP.

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification18V370000
Filed Jun 4, 2018139,249 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Audi S6 and S7, 2012-2018 A7 and A6 Sedan, and 2014-2018 RS7 vehicles equipped with basic seats (with or without heating). Stress or wear of the body-sensing mat within the front passenger seat may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) control module to malfunction.

Risk. If the PODS module malfunctions, the front passenger air bag may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a PODS system repair kit, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D5.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Mar 12, 2026MD

February 27, at approximately 1:20am my vehicle caught fire while parked in the driveway after sitting for about 9 hours. The fire originated near the gas tank. The fire department was called, there is a fire report being conducted. Audi was notified.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 12, 2026AZ

Audi is unable to correct the recall repairs despite several attempts by us to schedule. Advised parts are no longer available and were not available during 2 previous attempts to repair.

Engine
Filed Mar 27, 2024FL

2018 Audi A6 3.0T diagnosed a coolant leak due to water pump failure at less than 43k miles on March 27, 2024. In July 2023 (at less than 39k miles), the vehicle's thermostat was replaced due to a coolant leak. These are substantial failures in terms of risk to engine damage and cost to consumer, within a time and mileage period where a consumer should not expect these issues.

Engine
Filed Dec 29, 2023MN

The main water pump failed earlier than expected at 48000miles. Dealer mentioned that water pump should not fail so early

Engine
Filed Dec 8, 2023TX

Coolant leak, warning light signified an issue with the cooling system. Took vehicle to Audi dealership service department; they confirmed there is a big coolant leak with the coolant pump and thermostat. Vehicle inspected by Audi Sewell dealership for repairs. Symptoms appeared approximately 11/19/23, 2 weeks days prior to taking into the dealership. I had the oil changed at a non-Audi supplier); I informed service technician coolant warning light was on and service tech informed me vehicle was low on coolant. He replaced oil and topped off coolant on 11/19. Service light was no longer on; 2 weeks after the light came on again so i reported to Audi on 12/1/23 for repairs. Audi confirmed lose of containment of coolant.

Engine
Filed Oct 17, 202352,000 milesTX

The contact owns a 2018 Audi A6. The contact stated that the EPC and engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was notified of an unstated recall. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the repair was not covered under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed about a buyback, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 17, 2023TX

The EPC light came on in my vehicle and I noticed I started to lose gas faster than normal. Took it to a shop to get diagnosed, they stated that my vehicle was under a recall (Recall #24DP). I called Audi and they said I do not fall under the warranty even though the website said 2016-2018 Audi A6 were under recall. They would not provide any help for me. My vehicle is showing all the signs of the recall. Sometimes the car will accelerate too fast and it is a risk for not only other drivers but me as well. It is just ironic that the same same problem for that recall is happening to my vehicle.

Engine
Filed Jun 30, 2023FL

2018 Audi A6 3.0T, VIN [XXX] At 38,637 miles, Audi dealership diagnosed that vehicle requires water pump replacement due to water pump failure, causing vehicle to leak coolant. The vehicle has previously displayed a low coolant warning light prior to water pump failure diagnosis. My research has found that in October 2022, a class action suit was filed for over water pump defects. See: https://www.classaction.org/news/audi-defective-water-pump-class-action-includes-2021-2022-vehicle-models-with-3.0t-engines The suit looks to cover all persons or entities in the United States who are current or former owners and/or lessees of a 2013-2022 Audi S4, Q5, S5, SQ5, A6, A7, Q7 and A8 vehicles with a 3.0T engine. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 14, 2022WA

While driving at 60mph on the freeway, the glass sunroof on my 2018 Audi A6 randomly exploded/shattered. Glass shards flew into the cabin. There was no apparent “rock” or outside influence on the glass to cause it to shatter. The remaining glass remnants on the sunroof were angled up as if to suggest an explosion.

Engine
Filed Nov 2, 202011,800 milesMD

AT SLOW SPEED AND PARTICULARLY WHEN STARTING FROM STATIONARY, SUCH AS STOPPED TO WAIT TO TURN LEFT, THE CAR STALLS FOR 2-3 SECONDS, SUGGESTING THAT IT ISN'T GETTING FUEL. ONCE MOVING, THE CAR RUNS FINE. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE AUDI DEALER TWICE. THE PROBLEM REMAINS. THE CAR ONLY HAS 14,800 MILES ON IT. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN MARCH, 2020.

Engine
Filed Mar 25, 20208,000 milesFL

WHEN MAKING A U-TURN AFTER COMPLETING THE TURN PORTION THE CAR FAILS TO ACCELERATE. IT IS AS IF THE VEHICLE CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO DO. THE FAILURE IS FOR A SHORT TIME BUT ABSOLUTELY NOTHING HAPPENS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PUSHED THEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE AGAIN ACCELERATES. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME 4 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. DISCUSSED WITH DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IS "THE NATURE OF THE CAR" AND THE SERVICE TECH SAID IT USUALLY HAPPENED TO HIM WHEN TURNING IN AN INTERSECTION AND HE WOULD "FLOOR IT" AND THE CAR WOULD JUMP.

11 of 11 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20266000Routine
20256200Routine
20242100Routine
20232100Routine
20222500Routine
2021161100Routine
202025900Routine
2019114710Routine
2018 — this page11210Routine
201720300Routine
201651320Routine
201522400Routine
201441400Routine
201352620Routine
201259800Routine
201121300Routine
201017310Routine
200921400Routine
200871410Routine
200753400Routine
200667410Routine
200591320Routine
200435420Routine
200366750Routine
200288431Fatalities reported
2001113770Routine
2000148480Routine
19992179232Fatalities reported
19981301070Routine
199720240Routine
199651210Routine
199516200Routine
19942100Routine

Compare every A6 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jan 16, 2019. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.