Owners have filed 16 complaints
about the 2018 Audi A6 with NHTSA between 2020 and 2026.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 9 of 29 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 11
Against the median year of the Audi A6. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 97
18.8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
83% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2018 Audi A6
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
743.8%
Median failure at 11,800 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
425.0%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 9,900 mi
Other & Unspecified
212.5%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Airbags
16.3%
Electrical System
16.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Transmission & Drivetrain
16.3%
Median failure at 8,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
350.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
233.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
116.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 2020peak 4Mar 2026
Recalls on the 2018 Audi A6
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20183652,672 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, a problem with the passenger occupant detection system can cause illumination of the airbag warning light and the airbag system may not properly classify the front passenger. In the event of a crash, the airbag system may not function properly, increasing the risk of injury to a front passenger. Correction: Dealers will install a passenger occupant detection system repair kit.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Upper Marlboro, MDFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #11723814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Upper Marlboro, MDFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11723814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Upper Marlboro, MDFire
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11723814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
New River, AZ
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11723830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Upper Marlboro, MDFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #11723814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Upper Marlboro, MDFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11723814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Upper Marlboro, MDFire
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11723814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11579713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minneapolis, MN
ENGINE
The main water pump failed earlier than expected at 48000miles. Dealer mentioned that water pump should not fail so early
NHTSA complaint #11562566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sugar Land, TX
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11559166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,000 milesSpring, TX
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11550363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spring, TX
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11550529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
ENGINE
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).
NHTSA complaint #11529811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tacoma, WA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #11451978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,800 milesBaltimore, MD
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11372708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,800 milesBaltimore, MD
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11372708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesMount Dora, FL
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint #11319236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesMount Dora, FL
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11319236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesMount Dora, FL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11319236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.