The Lemon Index
200820103rd generation (C6)
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 6,786 in the U.S. in 2009 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 2 complaints in its first 3 years.
2 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Lexus ES 992009 BMW 5 Series2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 18V427000 (airbags), 18V004000 (airbags) and 17V032000 (airbags) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Audi sent dealers 710 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “The connection of water pump and hose, on some vehicles, leading to heater core, has a coolant…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Audi's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 2 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
Problems Audi told dealers about
Audi sent dealers 710 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The connection of water pump and hose, on some vehicles, leading to heater core, has a coolant…
- Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 40 number 10-04 dated April 1, 2010
- Various features in the rear passenger compartment are inoperative
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Airbags · recall issued 2018
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.
- Airbags · recall issued 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Airbags · recall issued 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 4 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,800–$4,400 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.1L 6-cyl, 4.2L 8-cyl.
Every Audi A6 year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2009 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/audi-a6/?y=2009" title="Audi A6 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="330" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/audi-a6/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Audi A6 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Audi A6 reliable?
We can't score it: only 6,786 were sold in the U.S. in 2009 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Audi A6 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (50%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Audi A6 have?
4 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Audi A6 get?
18 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2009 Audi A6 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 Audi A6 cost in fuel a year?
About $3,800 to $4,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Audi A6 have?
3.0L 6-cyl, 3.1L 6-cyl, 4.2L 8-cyl.
What Audi A6 year is better than the 2009?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2015 drew the fewest (about a third as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works