Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 14% | — |
| 2021 | 4 | 22% | 80,000 miles |
| 2020 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2019 | 32 | 28% | 0 miles |
| 2018 | 7 | 64% | 12,000 miles |
| 2017 | 4 | 20% | 1,000 miles |
| 2016 | 19 | 37% | 33,000 miles |
| 2015 | 10 | 45% | 78,000 miles |
| 2014 | 6 | 15% | 149,000 miles |
| 2013 | 16 | 31% | 62,000 miles |
| 2012 | 15 | 25% | 80,000 miles |
| 2011 | 2 | 10% | — |
| 2010 | 3 | 18% | 8,000 miles |
| 2008 | 5 | 7% | 10,000 miles |
| 2007 | 5 | 9% | 40,000 miles |
| 2006 | 6 | 9% | 170,000 miles |
| 2005 | 7 | 8% | 101,000 miles |
| 2004 | 4 | 11% | 103,000 miles |
| 2003 | 6 | 9% | 149,000 miles |
| 2002 | 20 | 23% | 99,000 miles |
| 2001 | 20 | 18% | 70,000 miles |
| 2000 | 21 | 14% | 61,000 miles |
| 1999 | 17 | 8% | 73,000 miles |
| 1998 | 6 | 5% | — |
| 1997 | 1 | 5% | 90,000 miles |
| 1996 | 2 | 4% | 101,000 miles |
| 1995 | 1 | 6% | 118,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2021 Audi A6. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle overheated. The engine overheating and the low coolant warning light illuminated. In addition, the engine seized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a coolant leak and a failed coolant pump vacuum. The contact was informed that the coolant pump vacuum assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact was informed that the failure was a known failure of the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Car reported an engine restarter issue (with battery symbol) and recommended to contact the dealer. Car next shut down automatic restart system, and air conditioning stopped working. Within a short period of time (same day), the car listed a red battery symbol and advised to stop the car. After doing so and contacting the Audi roadside, the car was listing a series of issues on multiple symptoms while also saying in the warning message "still okay to drive". These systems included steering, braking, and what seemed to be other sensors the car powers. Finally (and within 5 minutes of the previous message of being okay to drive), the warnings were continuous and started including the transmission. The car stopped accelerating (we were on the expressway) and we thankfully got to the side of the road. …
Electrical fault dash warnings (steering, transmission, braking and many other things too numerous to mention came on while driving the car and it went into limp mode and forced the car to stop and would not restart. The car had to be towed to the dealership where they diagnosed the problem to be the "alternator" which is more accurately what is known as the "belt starter generator" BSG. The BSG runs the start stop feature of the car and charges the mild hybrid 48v battery system that runs many of the critical features of the vehicle. They do not have the part in stock and do not know how long it will take to get in. I understand that there is NOT an upgraded part available that will fix this issue, only the same part that they are continuing to put on all of the V6 engine models since 2019 to today. The A6,7 and A8 and Q5,7 and Q8 models in particular are being affected. …
This is my SECOND entry/complaint regarding the same EXTREMELY DANGEROUS steering malfunction. While driving my 2019 A6 (this time alone) in heavy rain the same warning message was displayed. The warning stated: steering malfunction, please stop the vehicle!. At which point the power steering locked-up & the engine powered down. As a result, I was unable to steer the vehicle. One again I was able to exit the highway safely. Being close to home with only a few turns, I was able to "limp" the car home, parked in my driveway and contacted Audi. Currently it's at Nyack Audi awaiting service on Monday 9/11. This is a huge safety issue and needs to be addressed. Doing a bit of online research & reading countless Audi blogs, I found out this to be a common issue with other Audis while driving in the rain. Fist time this occurred was 6/16/22, driving a 2016 S6. …
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.
2018 Audi A6 3.0T, VIN [redacted] 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.
Car overheat. Engine light on. pulled over and then drove directly to local dealer 10min away who noted engine temp control actuator faulty- stuck. Needed to replace thermostat. Dealer noted problem was noted in earlier year Audi A6 models as well but thought 2017 year did not have similar. Could not leave/drive away from dealership since they noted too dangerous with faulty thermostat/coolant/heating etc. Hoping others are not experiencing similar danger/risks...
Engine mounts failed. They are fluid damped and the seals failed and leaked and now the motor is sitting loose in a metal on metal condition with the mounts collapsed. Additionally the manifold and timing chain cover leaks. Additionally the water pump failed. This is all on a car with <75k miles. Problems have been noted by mechanics including Audi dealership. No warning lamps except during pump failure causing engine to over heat
Related recalls (4)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Engine control module (ECU/ECM)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022 Audi A6 Sedan, A4 Sedan, Q5, and Q5 Sportback vehicles. The semiconductor inside the engine control unit may short-circuit and cause an engine stall.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 24iH.
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4.
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge.
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the engine backfires during a cold-start, an air screen which is loosely seated in the air flow meter can become damaged.
Remedy: Dealers will install a retaining ring to hold the air screen in place.
Frequently asked questions
Which Audi A6 years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2019 (32), 2000 (21), 2001 (20), 2002 (20) and 2016 (19) model years. Engine complaints make up 28% of all complaints for the 2019.
Is there a recall for Audi A6 engine problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 22V-368 (engine control module (ecu/ecm), May 23, 2022); 18V-229 (cooling system, Apr 11, 2018); 17V-002 (cooling system, Jan 3, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Audi A6 engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles; 36% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (30 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline (12).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.