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Audi A6Model year report

2007 Audi A6 Problems

Complaints
53filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
88,500miles, 23 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 3.1L 6-cyl FWD · 18 city / 27 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2007 Audi A6 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this 2007 Audi A6 most often describe Takata airbag recall repairs that were delayed because replacement parts were not available, and some were advised not to use the front passenger seat in the meantime. Other complaints describe engine stalling or hesitation, steering column or ignition lock failures, and airbag warning lights or an airbag that did not deploy in a crash. Where mileage is listed, reports range from under 1,000 miles to about 185,000 miles.

  1. Air bags

    Takata airbag recall repair parts not yet available

    • 23 complaints (43%)
    • median 65,000 mi at 10.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2012–2018

    Owners describe Takata airbag recall notices for which the replacement part or repair was not yet available, sometimes many months after the notice, and some say the dealer confirmed the parts were not available. Several owners were advised to avoid using the front passenger seat until the repair was done, and some say the wait had gone past a reasonable time. Several complaints say the car had not failed but the owner was concerned about the risk while waiting, and some report no follow-up or a loaner car that was not provided. Where mileage is listed, reports are about 35,000 to 55,000 miles, and most do not list mileage.

    Recall 18V427000Recall 16V3820001 related service bulletin

    What to check: Check the VIN for open Takata recalls and ask the dealer for the current parts status and any loaner options before buying. Ask the seller whether the recall repair has been completed, since owners describe waiting months for parts.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Takata recall: Audi says that NHTSA is not distributing front passenger airbags to Audi. It has been 6 months since I was notified of the problem. Meanwhile I am not supposed to use the passenger seat (!) leaving me with kinda half a car. Is there anything that can be done to speed up my replacement, or compensate me for loss of full use of the car?”

    NHTSA complaint #11040875, filed 2017-10

    “Takata recall. I received the recall 16v382 from Audi of america on august 5, 2016. Repair still not available, no contact from Audi. Everything in limbo, Audi recommends not using front passenger seat. Basically I have a one person car. If I tried to sell it I would not get fair market value due to the pending recall, nor would I try to sell it to an unsuspecting person. This car needs to be repaired now before there is an accident.”

    NHTSA complaint #10950004, filed 2017-02
  2. Engine

    Engine stalls or hesitates when driving

    • 5 complaints (9%)
    • median 30,540 mi at 3.2 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2010–2011

    Owners describe hesitation or a delay of a few seconds when pulling away from a stop, and some say the car jerks or idles without moving forward. Other complaints describe the engine stalling while driving at low speed on snow, or suddenly stopping on a freeway, and another describes the engine turning off after a stop, with the car moving when the accelerator is pressed. A dealer reportedly said the powertrain was designed this way and pointed to possible carbon buildup or the CVT transmission, and a complaint says the dealer's options were limited to cleaning a valve or changing the fluid. Where mileage is listed, reports range from under 1,000 miles to about 160,000 miles.

    What to check: On a test drive, accelerate from a complete stop several times and watch for hesitation, jerking, or stalling. Ask the seller for any engine or transmission fault codes and whether the fuel pressure sensor or other engine repairs have been documented.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Purchased an Audi a 6 2007 4 years ago. It turned itself off in drive mode 2 months after purchase. This has continued sporadically. It happens after driving the car for some time and then coming to a stop. I press on the accelerator to proceed and the car moves forward. By then, I am out in the intersection or in a lane with oncoming traffic. The mil light goes on, indicating the engine is turned off. There is no power steering and no way to move forward. The car's gear selector is still in drive mode. This is very dangerous. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10426775, filed 2011-09, 820 miles

    “To whom it may concern: we are a group of owners who bought the Audi allroad 2.7 quattro with the tiptronic transmission. We are writing to report a problem related to the tiptronic system. We have noticed significant hesitation when we launch the car from a stop. When the car is completely stopped, and the driver steps on the gas pedal, a lag of 1-3 seconds is observed. Within this time range, the car just idles as-is without moving forward. The same problem happens when the driver attempts to accelerate from 10-30. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10352294, filed 2010-08
  3. Steering

    Steering lock, ignition, or steering module failures

    • 6 complaints (11%)
    • median 98,000 mi at 8.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2011–2017

    Owners describe a steering column that locks while driving, and an ignition or access control unit that fails so the engine will not start. In some cases the steering wheel and shift lever stay locked and the key cannot be removed, which makes towing difficult. A steering module failure left a parked car unable to start, shift, or turn the steering wheel, and a dealer reportedly said the problem is common for this model year. Another complaint describes losing power steering after the engine shut off, and a complaint says the warranty declined to help with the cost of the repair. Where mileage is listed, reports range from under 1,000 miles to about 125,000 miles.

    What to check: Ask whether the ignition or access control unit has ever been diagnosed or replaced, and check that the key turns, the steering wheel moves, and the car starts and shifts normally. Ask for warranty or service records for any steering module repairs.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Vehicle becomes immobile and locked up when access/start control unit fails in steering column. Engine will not start, ignition cannot be turned on, and in some cases the key cannot be removed from the ignition switch. Steering wheel and transmission shift lever locks in current position, making towing almost impossible without specialized equipment. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10449331, filed 2012-02, 65,000 miles

    “The car was parked, and the steering module broke down. It completely disabled the vehicle. It will not start, the gears will not change, and the steering wheel would not move. Audi dealer said it is a very common problem with this year model, and there are no recalls. The module is a very expensive, and after calling Audi warranty they refuse to do anything about it. No one returned a phone call after attempting to leave a message for the supervisor.”

    NHTSA complaint #10717365, filed 2015-05, 125,000 miles
  4. Air bags

    Airbag warning light, or airbags not deploying in a crash

    • 5 complaints (9%)
    • median 91,750 mi at 8.3 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2010–2019

    Owners describe an airbag warning light that stays on or comes on while the car is parked, sometimes with fault codes for the rear seat belt tensioner igniters. Some repairs replaced parts and the light was then cleared, while a complaint says the warning indicator stayed on and the car was not diagnosed or repaired. A separate complaint describes a side impact in which the airbags did not deploy, and the car was declared a total loss. Where mileage is listed, reports are between about 88,500 and 95,000 miles, and the side impact report lists no mileage.

    What to check: Ask the seller to read the airbag and belt tensioner fault codes, and check the VIN for open Takata recalls. Ask whether any airbag or belt tensioner repairs have been documented, including after any crash.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Air bag warning light activated without incident-car was parked. Codes on vehicle record report are as follows: 01212 belt tensioner igniter rear passenger side (n197) upper limit reached-intermittent, 01211 belt tensioner igniter rear driver side (n196) upper limit reached-intermittent. Replaced parts, light deactivated, test driven greater than 40 miles as of date of report.”

    NHTSA complaint #10567183, filed 2014-02, 88,500 miles

    “Air bag warning light activated without incident-car was parked. Codes on vehicle record report generated by auto mechanic are as follows: 01212 belt tensioner igniter rear passenger side (n197) upper limit reached-intermittent, 01211 belt tensioner igniter rear driver side (n196) upper limit reached-intermittent. Replaced parts, light deactivated, test driven greater than 40 miles as of date of report.”

    NHTSA complaint #10554875, filed 2013-12, 88,500 miles

Buying note. Buyers considering this model year may want to check the VIN for open airbag recalls, since many complaints describe repairs waiting on parts. A test drive with stops and starts, plus a check of the steering lock and the airbag warning light, may help.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 44 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 53 consumer complaints for the 2007 Audi A6. 23 of the complaints include a mileage, and 26% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 88,500 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 414 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Other or unknown (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Takata recall - the nearest Audi dealer is 125 miles away. I have a recall notice but have spent approximately $6,000 on electrical problems in vain and cannot trust the car to make it to the dealer to repair the airbag.. Then there is the problem of trusting the airbag in the time I drive to the nearest dealer not with standing the air bag problem alone. In regard to the electrical failures, I was nearly run over by a semi at freeway speed when the engine suddenly stopped. The problem comes and goes like a ghost is involved and nobody has been able to properly repair it. …”

NHTSA complaint #11040115, filed 2017-10, 160,000 miles

Electrical system: “The front headlights for this vehicle intermittently fail and then work again. Investigation revealed frayed, shorted out, damaged, wiring inside of the headlights. The insulation on many wires inside the headlights are cracked, missing, failed and the bare copper or conductors touching other nearby conductors. I've made contact with Audi twice now for a safety issue with the headlights. Twice, I've been told either they weren't interested or would not do anything. …”

NHTSA complaint #10626976, filed 2014-08, 99,000 miles

Engine cooling: “2007 Audi A6 quattro, 13085 miles. Check engine light comes on. Car runs in limp mode. Camshaft control valve failed. P/n 06e-109-257-j replaced. Car runs normally.”

NHTSA complaint #10280592, filed 2009-08, 18,035 miles

Exterior lighting: “The contact owns a 2007 Audi A6. The contact was driving 30 MPH when the headlights, tail lights and fog lights failed to illuminate intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer but the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact believed that the failure was caused by the computer system. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 65,000. Updated 05/15/12 the consumer stated the new battery made all light failure alarms cease. Updated 05/22/12”

NHTSA complaint #10456122, filed 2012-04, 60,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

26% of the 23 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 51,000 and 105,600 miles.

9%0–104%10–2513%25–5017%50–7526%75–10022%100–1509%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (23 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 88,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

20092011201320152017222019
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2007 Audi A6 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
A6 FWD3.1L 6-cylCVT182721$3,900
A6 Avant quattro 4WD/AWD3.1L 6-cyl6-speed automatic172520$4,100
A6 quattro 4WD/AWD3.1L 6-cyl6-speed automatic172520$4,100
A6 quattro 4WD/AWD4.2L 8-cyl6-speed automatic162318$4,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2007 Audi A6 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 414 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 414 bulletins →

Other model years of the Audi A6

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2026721,0020—23—Too new
202567,0172526—Too new
20211859,00011526—Rising
20202622,000952755 · TypicalStable
20191141,000752791 · MoreRising
20181111,8002528—Not enough data
20172014,1003528—Stable
20165125,602352853 · TypicalRising
20152271,0004528—Stable
20144149,400452831 · FewerStable
20135260,9366—2839 · TypicalFalling
20126069,0008—2850 · TypicalFalling
20112157,0003—24—Falling
20101764,0003—22—Stable
20092182,5004—21—Falling
20087144,0004—2143 · TypicalStable
20075388,5004—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20066780,0004—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20059186,3583—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20043573,0004—21Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20036679,9757—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20028871,1454—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200111378,0007—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200014877,0404—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199921780,0009—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199813078,50010—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19972095,0002—19—Stable
199651103,7582—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199516118,0002—19—Stable

All Audi A6 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2007 Audi A6?

Owners of this 2007 Audi A6 most often describe Takata airbag recall repairs that were delayed because replacement parts were not available, and some were advised not to use the front passenger seat in the meantime. The issues reported most often: Takata airbag recall repair parts not yet available; Engine stalls or hesitates when driving; Steering lock, ignition, or steering module failures.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2007 Audi A6 have?

NHTSA recorded 53 consumer complaints for the 2007 Audi A6 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2007 Audi A6 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 32 complaints (60% of the total), followed by electrical system with 6.

Has the 2007 Audi A6 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2007 Audi A6 get?

The EPA rates the 2007 Audi A6 (A6, 3.1L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2007 Audi A6 reported?

Among the 23 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 88,500 miles and the middle half falls between 51,000 and 105,600 miles; 26% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.