RoadVitals

2018 Audi A6

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
11
Latest Mar 12, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Jan 16, 2019
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Audi A6, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and airbags categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 682 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine750.0%
  • Fuel system428.6%
  • Airbags17.1%
  • Electrical17.1%
  • Powertrain (other)17.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
19V035000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

Jan 16, 2019
74,881 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.
The 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 24DPView on NHTSA.gov
18V370000

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Jun 4, 2018
139,249 units potentially affected
The 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.
The 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.
The 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 74D5View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 11
Airbags
Filed Mar 12, 2026

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 ID
11723830
Incident
Mar 12, 2026
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Mar 12, 2026
Fire reported

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 ID
11723814
Incident
Feb 27, 2026
Engine
Filed Mar 27, 2024

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 ID
11579713
Incident
Mar 27, 2024
Engine
Filed Dec 29, 2023

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

NHTSA ID
11562566
Incident
Dec 26, 2023
Engine
Filed Dec 8, 2023

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 ID
11559166
Incident
Nov 19, 2023
Fuel system
Filed Oct 17, 2023

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 ID
11550529
Incident
Oct 6, 2023
Engine
Filed Oct 17, 2023

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 ID
11550363
Incident
Oct 3, 2023
Mileage
52,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 30, 2023

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 ID
11529811
Incident
Jun 22, 2023

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB_2082846_1

This bulletin provides a statement regarding the bottleneck of supply for VW approved oil types VW 504.00 and VW 507.00.

TSB_2081573_4

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This bulletin provides information when DTC B105A1A, B103E25 is stored in 0017; fuel tank level implausible.

TSB_2078648_2

STRUCTURE:BODY

This service information TSB provides warranty coverage information for vehicles with a broken sunroof panel.

TSB_2073747_4

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides informatoinw hent here are scratches or a coating on the cover of the instrument cluster, or particles inside of the housing.

TSB_2073282_1

STRUCTURE:BODY

This bulletin provides information when there is a film/visible rings on the clear glass cover of the headlight when the dipped beam is switched on.

TSB_2081573_3

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This bulletin provides information when DTC B105A1A, B103E25 is stored in 0017; fuel tank level implausible.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Audi A6 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027000—
2026500—
2025520—
2024010—
2023210—
2022250—
20211511056.1
2020249054.7
20191137052.5
2018Viewing112055.5
2017203043.7
2016513050.7
2015224056.6
2014414050.7
2013526053.5
2012598043.2
2011213054.2
2010173052.8
2009214046.2
2008714049.8
2007534049.1
2006674048.1
2005913148.5
2004354152.0
2003667154.9
2002884155.2
20011137262.1
20001484458.5
19992179866.5
199813010662.7
1997202054.4
1996512045.5
1995162149.6
1994211—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.