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Audi A6 — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Audi A6 model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
33
Years to Avoid
2020, 2019, 2014, 2013, 2012
Best Years
2026, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994
2026Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2025
4 complaints2 recalls453 TSBs
2024
0 complaints1 recalls735 TSBs
2023
1 complaints1 recalls894 TSBs
2022
2 complaints5 recalls1026 TSBs
2021
15 complaints11 recalls1244 TSBs
2020Avoid
37 complaints9 recalls1297 TSBs
2019Avoid
185 complaints6 recalls1403 TSBs
2018
12 complaints2 recalls652 TSBs
2017
23 complaints3 recalls703 TSBs
2016
75 complaints3 recalls974 TSBs
2015
28 complaints4 recalls1072 TSBs
2014Avoid
47 complaints4 recalls1349 TSBs
2013Avoid
79 complaints6 recalls1631 TSBs
2012Avoid
86 complaints8 recalls1475 TSBs
2011
23 complaints3 recalls938 TSBs
2010
24 complaints3 recalls811 TSBs
2009
22 complaints4 recalls709 TSBs
2008
78 complaints4 recalls495 TSBs
2007
63 complaints4 recalls414 TSBs
2006
83 complaints4 recalls417 TSBs
2005
119 complaints3 recalls1 invest.380 TSBs
2004Best Year
44 complaints4 recalls1 invest.151 TSBs
2003Best Year
85 complaints7 recalls1 invest.138 TSBs
2002Best Year
113 complaints4 recalls1 invest.130 TSBs
2001Best Year
148 complaints7 recalls2 invest.106 TSBs
2000
201 complaints4 recalls4 invest.99 TSBs
1999
276 complaints9 recalls8 invest.67 TSBs
1998
158 complaints10 recalls6 invest.80 TSBs
1997Best Year
26 complaints2 recalls42 TSBs
1996Best Year
71 complaints2 recalls39 TSBs
1995Best Year
22 complaints2 recalls1 invest.33 TSBs
1994Best Year
2 complaints1 recalls1 invest.11 TSBs

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Audi A6 Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2020, 2019, 2014, 2013, 2012 Audi A6 are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Audi A6, consider the 2026, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

33 model years analyzed