Research · Midsize Station Wagons

2020 Audi A6 AllroadRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 8 owner complaints for the 2020 Audi A6 Allroad. Most complaints involve electrical system (6) and power train (2). The EPA rates it 22 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
22mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Dec 2025
Owner complaints
8
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Back over prevention: camera

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Back over preventionReported Dec 20, 2025NHTSA 25V900000

Electrical system

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Audi S7, S6 Sedan, A6 Allroad, 2021-2022 RS7, RS6 Avant, 2019-2022 A7, and A6 Sedan vehicles. Liquid spilled in the rear seat may penetrate and cause the gateway control module to shut down.

Electrical systemReported Nov 21, 2022NHTSA 22V861000

Tires

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.

TiresReported Jan 26, 2022NHTSA 22V034000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

8 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2022 – Jan 2024
  1. Electrical system6
  2. Power train2
  3. Structure1
  4. Forward collision avoidance1
  5. Lane departure1
  6. Fuel/propulsion system1
  7. Suspension1
  8. Other / unknown1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each A6 Allroad model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20208
202127
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

6 reports
“While driving I received two messages to contract service first that the “electrical system malfunction” and then a “starting malfunction” which was fallowed by a battery light and a check engine light. I contacted my local dealer they advised I have it towed in immediately. The car was towed in and it’s a “starter generator” and is back ordered with no eta. The car is not drivable and is at the dealer for an unknown amount of time.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 7, 2023Electrical systemODI 11559037

Power train

2 reports
“Dashboard error messages, "Electrical System Malfunction! Please contact service" and "Vehicle Starting System: Malfunction! Please contact service". Dealer replied that it is a starter generator. Unsafe to drive, towed to dealer service. Part has been on order for more than three weeks.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2023Power train, Electrical systemODI 11548864

Structure

1 report
“This vehicle has an automatic opening/closure feature for the rear trunk/hatchback door. It's activated by putting one's foot under a sensor under the rear fender. This is fine for opening the door but it also closes the hatchback door with considerable force. The feature can be activated inadvertently e.g. when loading the car (and one's foot is under the rear fender) or when sitting on the edge of the luggage area and changing shoes. Both type of events have happened to me. I'm an bald and have had the door close on my head (which broke my scalp's skin) and have had it close when changing shoes many times. If this closed on a small child, I fear that a limb could be broken (or worse). One cannot disable this feature (ideally just to prevent it from closing) or just to simply disable it completely. I have taken the car to Audi dealerships to have the feature disabled on several occasions - but they are unable to do so. It is a safety hazard in my professional opinion - I'm a physician but not an engineer.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 5, 2024Structure, Unknown or otherODI 11563718
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Station Wagons
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (AM-S7)
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
A6 Allroad
Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
202622$3,600398
  • A6 Allroad
    Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 26 hwy · $3,600/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Audi A6 allroad SW AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
8.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 31, 2026Vehicle 14777
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2020 A6 Allroad questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Audi A6 Allroad have?

4 safety recalls as of Oct 31, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2020 Audi A6 Allroad problems?

Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (6), power train (2), structure (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Audi A6 Allroad get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Audi A6 Allroad at 22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2020 Audi A6 Allroad?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Audi A6 Allroad 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 31, 2026