The Lemon Index
2010
20123rd generation (C6)
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 11,124 in the U.S. in 2011 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 3 complaints in its first 3 years.
3 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2011 Lexus ES 232011 BMW 5 Series 1902011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 16
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 16V382000 (airbags) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Audi sent dealers 962 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Electrically adjustable steering column adjustment fails to adjust vertical and is restricted…”?
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 3 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 962 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Electrically adjustable steering column adjustment fails to adjust vertical and is restricted…
- Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 27 number 12-10 dated February 13, 2012
- Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 27 number 12-13 dated March 22, 2012
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- 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 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 test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi A6 4 DR AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Audi A6 4 DR FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Audi A6 Avant SW AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,300–$4,200 (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, 3.2L 6-cyl, 4.2L 8-cyl.
Every Audi A6 year. 2011 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.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2011 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/audi-a6/?y=2011" 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-a6/2011/">Lemon Index</a> (2011 Audi A6 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2011 Audi A6 reliable?
We can't score it: only 11,124 were sold in the U.S. in 2011 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2011 Audi A6 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (33%), wheels (33%) and transmission & drivetrain (33%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Audi A6 have?
3 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 2011 Audi A6 get?
19 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2011 Audi A6 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 33% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2011 Audi A6 cost in fuel a year?
About $3,300 to $4,200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Audi A6 have?
3.0L 6-cyl, 3.2L 6-cyl, 4.2L 8-cyl.
What Audi A6 year is better than the 2011?
Nearby, the 2013 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a third as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2015 drew the fewest.
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