Research · Midsize Cars

2015 Audi A6Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 22 owner complaints for the 2015 Audi A6. Most complaints involve engine (6) and air bags (4). The EPA rates it 21–29 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
21–29mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Dec 2018
Owner complaints
22
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Electrical system: wiring

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi A6 Sedans and 2015 Audi A7 vehicles. The auxiliary heater electrical connector on these vehicles may have been incorrectly inserted into the auxiliary heater, possibly resulting in increased electrical resistance.

Electrical systemReported Dec 5, 2018NHTSA 18V862000

Air bags: occupant classification

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Audi S6 and S7, 2012-2018 A7 and A6 Sedan, and 2014-2018 RS7 vehicles equipped with basic seats (with or without heating). Stress or wear of the body-sensing mat within the front passenger seat may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) control module to malfunction.

Air bagsReported Jun 4, 2018NHTSA 18V370000

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.

Engine and engine coolingReported Apr 11, 2018NHTSA 18V229000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

22 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2015 – Jul 2026
  1. Engine6
  2. Air bags4
  3. Engine and engine cooling4
  4. Electrical system3
  5. Fuel/propulsion system2
  6. Service brakes2
  7. Steering2
  8. Wheels1
  9. Power train1

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 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199654
199721
1998130
1999217
2000148
2001113
2002103
200371
200435
200667
200753
200871
200921
201017
201121
201260
201352
201441
201522
201651
201720
20182
20269
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

6 reports
“Coolant sprayed on engine components due to leaking Coolant /Water pump. Coolant level is falling below minimum level - Problem confirmed by the dealer 1. Water pump 2. Coolant sprayed onto engine components - potential fire hazard 3. Confirmed by dealer 4. Unknown 5, Umknown”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 17, 2023EngineODI 11555740

Air bags

4 reports1 crash
“The contact's sister owns a 2015 Audi A6. The contact stated that while his sister was driving 35 MPH, the vehicle crashed into the rear of a Toyota 4Runner. The driver sustained injuries to the chest and neck and had back pain. Medical attention was not provided. The front bumper and frame, and hood were damaged. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. There was no Police report filed. The drivers exchanged information. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 24, 2026Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11752697

Engine and engine cooling

4 reports
“The contact owns a 2015 Audi A6. The contact stated that while driving on neighborhood roads at approximately 25 MPH, the coolant warning light was illuminated. The contact proceeded to park on the side of the road and walk to her residence to pick up coolant to refill the coolant tank. The vehicle was then taken to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the coolant tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2024Engine and engine coolingODI 11620102
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged
Transmissions
Automatic (S8) · Automatic (AV-S8)
Drive
All-Wheel Drive · Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Diesel · 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 29, 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 quattro
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
243829$3,250349
A6
Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
253328$2,850320
A6 quattro
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
202923$3,450386
A6 quattro
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg · All-Wheel Drive
182721$3,800414
  • A6 quattro
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel, Turbo
    24 city · 38 hwy · $3,250/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • A6
    Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    25 city · 33 hwy · $2,850/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • A6 quattro
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 29 hwy · $3,450/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • A6 quattro
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg
    18 city · 27 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Audi A6 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.0%
Overall
5 / 5
Audi A6 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.0%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 9165Vehicle 9164
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

2015 A6 questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Audi A6 have?

4 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 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 2015 Audi A6 problems?

Owners filed 22 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (6), air bags (4), engine and engine cooling (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Audi A6 get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Audi A6 at 21–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2015 Audi A6?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Audi A6 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026