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2018 Audi A6

Gas
Midsize Cars
3 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
C
Safety Signal
77 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls1 critical2
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA11
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA28 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2018 Audi A6 is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize car with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the A6, is EPA-rated at 28 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 11 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
A6GasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo253428$2,750
A6 quattroGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223126$3,000
A6 quattroGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl202923$3,350

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 38713, 38712, 38914.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2018 Audi A6 is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Fuel System, Gasoline

24DP
74,881 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen 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.RiskA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.FixAudi 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.
NHTSA campaign 19V035000reported Jan 16, 2019Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
▲high

Air Bags

74D5
139,249 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen 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.RiskIf the PODS module malfunctions, the front passenger air bag may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.FixVolkswagen 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.
NHTSA campaign 18V370000reported Jun 4, 2018Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
11complaints filed

0 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2020: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2023: 5 · 2024: 1 · 2026: 2

Most-cited components

Engine7
Fuel/Propulsion System4
Unspecified2
Power Train1
Electrical System1
Air Bags1

What owners describe

“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.”Mar 12, 2026 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“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.”Mar 12, 2026 · Air Bags · NHTSA owner report
“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 mile…”Mar 27, 2024 · Engine · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9%
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other A6 model years

A

2026 Audi A6

1 recalls · 8 complaints

B

2025 Audi A6

2 recalls · 6 complaints

A

2024 Audi A6

1 recalls · 1 complaints

A

2023 Audi A6

1 recalls · 3 complaints

D

2022 Audi A6

5 recalls · 4 complaints

F

2021 Audi A6

12 recalls · 25 complaints

F

2020 Audi A6

9 recalls · 33 complaints

F

2019 Audi A6

7 recalls · 114 complaints

D

2017 Audi A6

3 recalls · 20 complaints

D

2016 Audi A6

3 recalls · 51 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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