NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 11 recalls, 15 owner complaints and NHTSA crash-test ratings for the 2021 Audi A6.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The complaint picture for the 2021 Audi A6 is dominated by electrical system issues, which account for the largest share of reports. Owners describe a range of electrical faults, though the specific symptoms vary across reports. The engine also draws attention, with owners reporting coolant-related failures including overheating, coolant leaks from the thermostat housing and oil cooler bracket, and in at least one case a seized engine following a coolant pump failure. Powertrain complaints include a report of sudden and complete loss of drive power accompanied by a transmission warning light, with no prior warning signs. A recurring HVAC complaint involves a persistent mold or mildew odor from the air conditioning system, particularly noticeable after the system is switched off.
15
Total Complaints
By System
The 2021 Audi A6 has 11 recalls, the most serious being a broken rear axle lock nut that can misalign the rear axle and cause loss of vehicle control, and a gateway control module that can shut down after liquid spills in the rear seat, suddenly cutting engine power.
Two recalls involve occupant restraint systems: a front door crash sensor connector can detach and delay the side airbag, curtain airbag, and seatbelt pretensioners in a side impact, and the passenger airbag may have a manufacturing flaw that causes it to deploy incorrectly or send plastic fragments into the cabin. There is also a recall involving the rear seatbelt retractor that can leave a child restraint system unsecured.
On the visibility side, two separate software issues can cause the rearview camera to fail to display when reversing, and a fuel level sender can stick and show an inaccurate reading, potentially causing the engine to stall unexpectedly. A software fault can also cause the instrument panel to go blank, taking the speedometer and warning lights with it.
Rounding out the list, rear axle misalignment can cause uneven or accelerated tire wear, a mislabeled brake fluid cap can lead to the wrong fluid being used and reduce braking performance, and the rear axle lock nut issue noted above is also linked to a separate tire wear filing.
At a glance
What can fail
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying on the screen as intended.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the vehicle software at no cost to restore rearview camera display function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the instrument panel module may cause the dashboard display to stop working.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the instrument panel module software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake fluid reservoir cap may be labeled incorrectly, potentially leading to the wrong type of brake fluid being used.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the brake fluid reservoir cap and replace it if needed, at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Liquid spilled in the rear seat can seep into and disable the gateway control module, which manages vehicle electrical systems.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a protective cover over the gateway control module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software issue may cause the rearview camera display to show a blank or black screen instead of the camera image when reverse gear is engaged.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the infotainment unit software at no cost to restore rearview camera display functionality.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel level sender can stick, causing the instrument cluster to display an inaccurate fuel level reading.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a new sensor in the tank at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear axle alignment was not inspected after previous recall repairs were completed, which could result in improper wheel positioning and uneven tire wear.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect rear axle alignment, adjust if needed, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear middle seat belt's automatic locking mechanism may stop working too early, preventing child car seats from being secured properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the middle-rear seat belt assemblies at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The lock nut securing the trailing arm on the rear axle can break due to stress corrosion, potentially affecting rear suspension stability.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the lock nuts and associated bolts if needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger air bag's score line may not have been manufactured correctly, potentially affecting proper air bag deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the passenger air bag score line and repair it as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electrical connector can detach from the door crash sensor in either front door, preventing the sensor from working properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect both front doors and replace the crash sensors if needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.