Audi A6 reliability
The Audi A6 fails its MOT less often than most cars 6 to 10 years old: 16.3% of 56,339 tests failed in 2023, against 24.4% on average.
35 DVSA recalls for the Audi A6
Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.
Belt buckle rivet missing
On affected vehicles an important connection in the seat belt buckle may not have been produced correctly during the assembly process.
Fix: The belt buckles on both front seats (left and right) must be replaced.
Recalled models: A6 · 4 vehicles
Software update for battery control unit
On affected vehicles there may be defective battery modules which may result in a fire hazard when charging the high-voltage battery.
Fix: Update the software of the high-voltage battery to improve the self-diagnosis capabilities. Vehicle owners are advised to not charge the high-voltage battery using external charging sources and also not use the e-tron modes “Battery charge” and “Battery hold” until the update is applied.
Recalled models: A6 · 1,458 vehicles
Replacing front seat belt
On affected vehicles a sub-component of the belt force limiter in the front seat belt retractors may be damaged. Either one or both front seat belt retractors may be affected.
Fix: Replace the affected seat belts.
Recalled models: A6 e-Tron · 28 vehicles
Stop-drive TAKATA PSAN
Urgent Safety Warning – Do Not Drive Your Vehicle Affected vehicles were originally allocated to or used for an extended period of time in a region with a climate zone considered to as HIGH RISK. Certain front airbags contain an ageing inflator propellant that may explode when deployed due to long-term exposure to heat and humidity. If the airbag inflator explodes metal fragments may be ejected causing life-threatening or fatal injuries to anyone in the vehicle.
Fix: Affected airbags will be be replaced. You can contact Audi's dedicated Takata Stop Drive helpline at 0113 526 9646 (MONDAY to FRIDAY 9:00AM to 5:00PM.
Recalled models: A6 · 74 vehicles
Servicing high-voltage battery
On affected vehicles battery modules may become defective over the course of the vehicle’s service life. This may result in a fire hazard when charging the high-voltage battery with the associated risk of severe or fatal injuries to people inside and/or outside the vehicle as well as significant material damage. To minimise this risk do not charge the high-voltage battery using an external charging source. In addition do not use the e-tron modes “Battery charge” and “Battery hold” (refer to Owner’s Manual) until further notice.
Fix: Replace the defective modules. Further software fix being developed to improve monitoring.
Recalled models: A6 · 596 vehicles
Replacing Takata passenger airbag
On affected vehicles the passenger airbag may in extremely rare cases be overloaded and even burst when the passenger airbag is triggered. If this were to happen small metal parts could become dislodged from the housing and potentially cause life-threatening injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix: For safety reasons it is necessary to check the passenger airbag and if required to replace the airbag module.
Recalled models: A6 · 74,226 vehicles
On certain vehicles an incorrect bracket for the side airbag was fitted in the left front seat.
On certain vehicles an incorrect bracket for the side airbag was fitted in the left front seat.
Fix: Replace the side airbag and bracket.
Recalled models: A6 · 5 vehicles
If a front airbag is deployed it is possible that the gas generator housing in which the propellant is generated may burst on vehicles manufactured within a limited period.
If a front airbag is deployed it is possible that the gas generator housing in which the propellant is generated may burst on vehicles manufactured within a limited period.
Fix: As a precautionary safety measure it is necessary to replace the airbag unit on the passenger side.
Recalled models: A6 · 13 vehicles
The fuel gauge may not show the drop in fuel level correctly during vehicle operation
The fuel gauge may not show the drop in fuel level correctly during vehicle operation.
Fix: The tank level sender must be replaced on the affected vehicles.
Recalled models: A6 · 5,487 vehicles
Engine control units might be fitted with semiconductor components that do not meet specifications
On a small number of vehicles manufactured within a specific period it is possible that the engine control units were fitted with semiconductor components which do not meet the specifications.
Fix: The engine control unit must be replaced on the affected vehicles.
Recalled models: A6 · 109 vehicles
The mesh size of the oil strainer in the oil supply for both turbochargers is too small
The mesh size of the oil strainer in the oil supply for both turbochargers is too small.
Fix: The oil strainer will be replaced with a revised version with a larger mesh size.
Recalled models: A6 · 4,690 vehicles
Following a previous campaign the toe and/or camber values on the rear axle may in certain circumstances incorrectly be changed without this being noticed
Following a previous campaign the toe and/or camber values on the rear axle may in certain circumstances incorrectly be changed without this being noticed.
Fix: The wheel alignment must be checked and if necessary the suspension must be serviced on the affected vehicles.
Recalled models: A6 · 5,327 vehicles
The deployment of the takata airbag may be delayed or insufficiently powerful due to a potential reduction in the performance of the gas generator
On vehicles with TAKATA driver airbag and NADI gas generator manufactured within a specific period it is possible that the function of the driver airbag may be restricted due to its age.
Fix: The driver airbag unit must be checked on the vehicles affected and the gas generator must be replaced if necessary
Recalled models: A6 · 57,169 vehicles
Function of the driver airbag might be restricted due to its age
On vehicles with 3-spoke steering wheel manufactured within a specific period the function of the driver airbag may be restricted due to its age.
Fix: The gas generator in the driver airbag must be replaced on the affected vehicles.
Recalled models: A6 · 9,536 vehicles
Rear axle suspension links nuts do not meet specifications
One or more nuts which do not meet the specifications may have been fitted on the rear axle suspension links.
Fix: The affected nuts on the rear axle will be replaced on affected vehicles.
Recalled models: A6 · 10,089 vehicles
The front passenger airbag might not inflate fully in the event of an accident
In the event of an accident requiring the vehicle�s front passenger airbag to be activated the airbag might not inflate fully.
Fix: The dash panel must be checked on the affected vehicles and repaired or replaced if required
Recalled models: A6 · 1,298 vehicles
Faulty crash sensors for airbag/restraint systems may have been fitted in both of the front doors
Faulty crash sensors for airbag / restraint systems may have been fitted in both of the front doors.
Fix: The crash sensors for the side airbags (front) must be checked on the vehicles affected and replaced if necessary.
Recalled models: A6 · 31 vehicles
Moisture may enter the belt driven starter-alternator
It is possible that moisture may enter the belt-driven starter-alternator.
Fix: The starter-alternator must be replaced on the affected vehicles.
Recalled models: A6 · 11,936 vehicles
Moisture may enter the belt-driven starter-alternator
It is possible that moisture may enter the belt-driven starter-alternator.
Fix: The starter-alternator must be replaced on the affected vehicles.
Recalled models: A6 · 34,982 vehicles
The locking mechanism in the hinged towing bracket could be faulty
Hinged towing bracket on which the locking mechanism in the hinge module could be faulty.
Fix: The hinge module for the towing bracket must be checked and replaced if required.
Recalled models: A6 · 135 vehicles
Fuel may escape from one or both fuel rails
It is possible that fuel may escape from one or both fuel rails (low-pressure side).
Fix: The fuel rails for the low-pressure side of both cylinder banks must be replaced on the affected vehicles.
Recalled models: A6 · 2,763 vehicles
The auxiliary heater element in the air conditioner may fail
The auxiliary heater element connection in the air conditioner may fail.
Fix: Check the auxiliary heater connector and replace the element if required.
Recalled models: A6 · 4,907 vehicles
Rear fixed glass lid bonding may not meet correct specification
There is a possibility that the glass bonding on the panoramic sunroof is not bonded correctly.
Fix: Replace the affected glass section with new bonding.
Recalled models: A6 · 59 vehicles
Coolant pump may overheat
Foreign particles in the engine coolant can lead to a blockage in the additional coolant pump and cause the pump to overheat.Foreign particles in the coolant can lead to a blockage in the additional coolant pump and cause the pump to overheat.
Fix: Recall the machines that are likely to be affected and update the software which will deactivate the additional coolant pump in the event of malfunction. If there has been a malfunction of the additional water pump it will be replaced.
Recalled models: A6 · 2,844 vehicles
Airbag/belt tensioners may not trigger in event of an accident
Due to an error in the manufacturing process the air bag and/or seat belt pretensioner may not trigger in the event of a collision
Fix: On affected vehicles replace air bag assembly and seta belt pretensioner where necessary.
Recalled models: A6 · 2,622 vehicles
Fuel may leak
Fuel may leak from the injector rails. Drivers may notice a smell of fuel and or evidence of a leak
Fix: On affected vehicles replace injector rails and seals.
Recalled models: A6 · 1,073 vehicles
Reduction in braking performance
On affected vehicles engine oil may in isolated instances enter the brake servo via the vacuum feed lie.This may cause the brake servo diaphragm to rupture and loss of brake servo assistance.
Fix: Replace vacuum line on affected vehicles.
Recalled models: A6 · 5,755 vehicles
Curtain airbag may not inflate
On Audi A6 manufactured within a specific period it is possible that the curtain airbag has not been correctly sewn together. As a result the curtain airbag may fail to inflate.
Fix: Replacement of the curtain airbags.
Recalled models: A6 · 11 vehicles
Tailgate may close without warning
It has been identified that the power operated tailgate may close abruptly and unexpectedly following opening using the power function.
Fix: Recalled vehicle will have the tailgate motors replaced.
Recalled models: A6 · 8,468 vehicles
Air bags may deploy too late
In the event of an accident in which deployment of the front airbags is required it is possible that the airbags can trigger too late.
Fix: Recalled vehicles will have the airbag and ECU software updated.
Recalled models: A6 · 5,767 vehicles
Airbag may not deploy
On 79 vehicles within the VIN ranges affected (with 3-spoke sports steering wheel) it is possible that in the event of a collision impact above the triggering threshold of the airbags the driver's airbag may not be deployed.
Fix: The drivers airbag unit will be replaced on all affected vehicles with 3-spoke sports steering wheel.
Recalled models: A6 · 541 vehicles
Brake pedal bracket may crack
Brake pedal brackets having a casting fault may have been installed. The bracket may crack and in the worst case seriously impair the brake performance.
Fix: Fit quality assured replacement brake pedal brackets.
Recalled models: A6 · 56 vehicles
Potential premature wear of steering ball joints
Faulty seals could lead to premature wear of the track rod bearings (ends) and if the warning noises are ignored it is possible that the track rod bearing pin could work loose and affect steering control.
Fix: Recall vehicles in order to replace the track rod ends with ones fitted with an improved seal.
Recalled models: A6 · 38,307 vehicles
Unscheduled deployment of drivers air bag
In weather conditions which favour the build up of static electricity the air bag may deploy spontaneously if the driver enters or leaves the vehicle while carrying a high static charge. This can only happen when the car is stationery and not while it is in motion.
Fix: Affected vehicles are being recalled for the installation of an earth cable to the steering wheel to conduct any static charge to earth.
Recalled models: A6 · 50,523 vehicles
Front seat belt height adjuster
The front seat belt height adjuster may not have been manufactured to the correct specification and could endanger the belt wearer in an accident situation.
Fix: Affected vehicles are being recalled to dealers for inspection and where required the installation of a new seat belt height adjuster.
Recalled models: A6 · 1,097 vehicles
Checking a Audi A6 before you buy
Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.