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Research · Midsize Cars

2018 Audi A6Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 2 owner complaints for the 2018 Audi A6. Most complaints involve electrical system (1) and fuel/propulsion system (1). The EPA rates it 23–28 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
23–28mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jan 2019
Owner complaints
2
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Fuel system

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Q7, A6 and A7 vehicles, and 2015-2018 Audi A8 vehicles. The left and right fuel rails may leak fuel.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jan 16, 2019NHTSA 19V035000

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

2 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2026 – Mar 2026
  1. Electrical system1
  2. Fuel/propulsion system1
  3. Air bags1
  4. 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 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
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

1 report1 fire
“February 27, at approximately 1:20am my vehicle caught fire while parked in the driveway after sitting for about 9 hours. The fire originated near the gas tank. The fire department was called, there is a fire report being conducted. Audi was notified.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 12, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, Fuel/propulsion systemFire reportedODI 11723814

Fuel/propulsion system

1 report1 fire

Air bags

1 report
“Audi is unable to correct the recall repairs despite several attempts by us to schedule. Advised parts are no longer available and were not available during 2 previous attempts to repair.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 12, 2026Air bagsODI 11723830
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged
Transmissions
Automatic (AM-S7) · Automatic (S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel 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
Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
253428$2,700311
A6 quattro
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
223126$2,900347
A6 quattro
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg · All-Wheel Drive
202923$3,250378
  • A6
    Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    25 city · 34 hwy · $2,700/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • A6 quattro
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 31 hwy · $2,900/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • A6 quattro
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg
    20 city · 29 hwy · $3,250/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
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

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 Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 12289Vehicle 12288
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

2018 A6 questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Audi A6 have?

2 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 2018 Audi A6 problems?

Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (1), fuel/propulsion system (1), air bags (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2018 Audi A6 get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Audi A6 at 23–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2018 Audi A6?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2018 Audi A6 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026