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Audi A6Model year report

2021 Audi A6 Problems

Complaints
18filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
59,000miles, 2 complaints with mileage
Recalls
11campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
26 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl · hybrid AWD · 23 city / 31 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Audi A6 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2021 Audi A6. The part named most often is electrical system, with 11 complaints (61% of the total), followed by engine (3) and forward collision avoidance (2). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 59,000 miles. NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns and 1,342 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 3 recall campaigns covering the fuel level float/sensor/sending unit and 477 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 49 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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.

Example complaints

Electrical system: “My alternator was not working and it was a recall and I paid to fix it and they don’t wanna pay me back. I got a new part from audi and fix it at the shop and they don’t wanna pay anything just called and she said we don’t pay only if he’s done at the dealer. And I don’t believe that! Bc dealer told me they pay if I fix it any where to get done quick bc was out stock”

NHTSA complaint #11720235, filed 2026-02

Engine: “While operating the vehicle under normal driving conditions, the vehicle suffered an immediate, un-commanded loss of engine power and throttle response. The vehicle displayed a critical dashboard restriction stating: “Maximum engine speed 2500 RPM”, forcing an emergency limp-home mode that instantly created a roadway collision hazard. …”

NHTSA complaint #11765960, filed 2026-09

Forward collision avoidance: “The Audi Pre-sense is activated by weather. I was driving during a thunderstorm and Audi Presence activated causing the car to come to a hard stop due to precipitation. It happened again backing out of my driveway the Audi Pre-sense was activated and the car came to a hard stop. I thought I had back into another vehicle. This is very dangerous.”

NHTSA complaint #11680304, filed 2025-08

Other or unknown: “The car has had multiple issues with warning lights and malfunctioning systems. Including : 1.Child locks 2.Every single component of the ADAS 3. Emergency services being activated at least a few times a month - this is an SOS for emergency 911 service. The repeated, continuous and mostly false warning lights are a driving distraction that can easily cause an accident. I have photos of all warning lights coming on in the vehicle. …”

NHTSA complaint #11638013, filed 2025-01

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 38,000 and 80,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2550%25–500%50–7550%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (2 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 59,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

202220232024202520268
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.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Audi A6. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
A6 · sedan AWD★★★★★5 / 4555 · 8.9% risk
A6 (with Rear Seat Sabs) · sedan AWD★★★★★5 / 4555 · 8.9% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2021 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking not available.

Neighbouring years: 2020: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2021 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 quattro AWD2.0L 4-cyl · hybrid7-speed automatic233126$3,150
A6 quattro AWD3.0L 6-cyl · hybrid7-speed automatic222924$3,400

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

See all 11 recalls for the 2021 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. 1,342 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 1,342 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

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Audi A6 have?

NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2021 Audi A6 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2021 Audi A6 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 11 complaints (61% of the total), followed by engine with 3.

Has the 2021 Audi A6 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2021 Audi A6 do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 Audi A6 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Audi A6 get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Audi A6 (A6 quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl · hybrid) at 26 mpg combined, 23 city and 31 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2021 Audi A6 reported?

Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 59,000 miles and the middle half falls between 38,000 and 80,000 miles; 50% 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.