Research · Midsize Station Wagons

2021 Audi A6 AllroadRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 27 owner complaints for the 2021 Audi A6 Allroad. Most complaints involve electrical system (15) and engine (4). 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
8campaigns
Latest Dec 2025
Owner complaints
27
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

8 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: instrument cluster

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 SQ8, A6 SEDAN, A7, A8, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S6 SEDAN, S7, S8, A6 Allroad, and SQ7 vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail.

Electrical systemReported Mar 31, 2025NHTSA 25V201000

Service brakes

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi S7, S6 Sedan, RS7, RS6 Avant, A6 Allroad, 2019-2021 A7, and A6 Sedan vehicles. An incorrectly labeled brake fluid cap may have been installed, which can result in the use of the wrong type of brake fluid.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Aug 25, 2023NHTSA 23V601000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

27 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2021 – Oct 2026
  1. Electrical system15
  2. Engine4
  3. Forward collision avoidance4
  4. Fuel/propulsion system3
  5. Power train3
  6. Structure2
  7. Exterior lighting1
  8. Engine and engine cooling1
  9. Steering1

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
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

15 reports
“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. Simultaneously, the vehicle's primary safety and convenience systems dropped completely offline, displaying synchronized, consecutive malfunction alerts for the Central Locking System, Audi Pre Sense (Distance Monitoring), Cross Traffic Assist, and Lane Change/Blind Spot Warning systems. A subsequent professional diagnostic scan confirmed that the vehicle's Engine Control Unit (ECU) has hard-logged active manufacturer fault codes P310A (Low Fuel Pressure Regulation - Fuel Pressure Fluctuates) and P310B (Low Pressure Fuel Regulation - Fuel Pressure Outside Specification). These synchronized electrical and drivetrain failures occur intermittently, yet have specifically occurred multiple times following exposure to moisture, including rainfall, winter slush, and standard car washes. The identical electrical system dropouts were…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 21, 2026Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11765960

Engine

4 reports
“Car reported an engine restarter issue (with battery symbol) and recommended to contact the dealer. Car next shut down automatic restart system, and air conditioning stopped working. Within a short period of time (same day), the car listed a red battery symbol and advised to stop the car. After doing so and contacting the Audi roadside, the car was listing a series of issues on multiple symptoms while also saying in the warning message "still okay to drive". These systems included steering, braking, and what seemed to be other sensors the car powers. Finally (and within 5 minutes of the previous message of being okay to drive), the warnings were continuous and started including the transmission. The car stopped accelerating (we were on the expressway) and we thankfully got to the side of the road. This was an enormously dangerous situation as the car became fully disabled and we were subject to limited options of relief from a major traffic area. Within 30 minutes of being disabled, no electrical charge was present in the car, including emergency flashers, making the situation more dangerous as it was nighttime, so we had to abandon the car and walk down the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 9, 2023Steering, Electrical system, EngineODI 11543607

Forward collision avoidance

4 reports
“The car has traffic sign recognition and uses it for "predictive control" where the vehicle will read traffic signs and adjust the adaptive cruise control setting to based on road signs. It had previously been working well but a software update was recently performed under TSB 2074688/3 on November 6th, 2025 and problems have shown up. Specifically, the system is incorrectly reading signs and sometimes appearing to make signs up out of nowhere. This has resulted in the car slowing down quickly on highways and nearly causing a couple of rear-end collisions due to the unexpected and erratic braking at highway speeds. The car will be going back to the dealer to be looked at, however this is unsafe because other drivers aren't prepared for a car randomly slowing down in front of them while on the highway for no reason. The car is also available to be inspected if needed. The issues first appeared within a week of having the TSB performed and has happened a number of times since. The following incidents have occurred: * Once on Highway 10 heading North/West between Big Lake and Elk River MN; the car was set to 60mph and hallucinated a 15mph speed limit sign. There…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 1, 2025Forward collision avoidanceODI 11702177
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 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 Nov 11, 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$3,400398
  • A6 Allroad
    Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 26 hwy · $3,400/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 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 Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 15596
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

2021 A6 Allroad questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Audi A6 Allroad have?

8 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 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 2021 Audi A6 Allroad problems?

Owners filed 27 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (15), engine (4), forward collision avoidance (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2021 Audi A6 Allroad get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Audi A6 Allroad at 22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2021 Audi A6 Allroad?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Audi A6 Allroad 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026