The Lemon Index
2018
20205th generation (C8)
Worse than average · most complaints: electrical
38 owner complaints, first 3 years 25–27 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2019 Lexus ES 502019 BMW 5 Series 392019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 52
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2019 Audi A6
- Alternator25 complaints
- Starter21 complaints
Specific parts named in the 114 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Audi A6 (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Only 16 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 26V125000 (lane assist), 25V900000 (back over prevention) and 23V601000 (brakes) done? It has 7 recalls in all. 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 oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Audi sent dealers 1483 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “This bulletin contains instructions for oil leaking from the vehicle without a DTC”?
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 38 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 →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 0K to 6K miles (0K to 10K km) on the car (16 of all 38 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Stop engine oil pressure too high light comes on dealer does not have solution. Engine could blow during operation and cause accident. Vehicle recall needed
2019 Audi A6 owner · NHTSA complaint 11185595
Problems Audi told dealers about
Audi sent dealers 1483 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This bulletin contains instructions for oil leaking from the vehicle without a DTC
- This bulletin contains instructions for using the UV additive to find engine oil leaks
- This bulletin contains repairs for a wiring issue with DTCs P010600 and P023600 with a…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 7
- Lane assist · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
Due to a software error, the lane departure warning system may be deactivated.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2025 New: most likely still open
Please see the recall report for a complete list of models.
- Brakes · recall issued 2023
An incorrectly labeled brake fluid cap may have been installed, which can result in the use of the wrong type of brake fluid.
Show all 7 recalls
- Electrical · recall issued 2022
Liquid spilled in the rear seat may penetrate and cause the gateway control module to shut down.
- Electrical · recall issued 2022
The fuel level sender may stick, causing an inaccurate fuel level reading to be displayed on the instrument cluster.
- Airbags · recall issued 2021
The score line on the passenger air bag may not have been manufactured correctly.
- Electrical · recall issued 2020 Hybrid only
Moisture may enter the starter generator and cause an electrical short circuit.
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 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Audi A6 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,950–$3,200 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
Every Audi A6 year. 2019 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 2019 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/audi-a6/?y=2019" 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-a6/2019/">Lemon Index</a> (2019 Audi A6 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2019 Audi A6 reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 132; 100 is average, lower is better). 2019 is one of the weaker years of a model that usually draws about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car. The Audi A6 year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2015.
What are the most common 2019 Audi A6 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (68%), engine (34%) and transmission & drivetrain (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2019 Audi A6 have?
7 safety recalls (latest: lane assist). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2019 Audi A6 get?
25 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2019 Audi A6 safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2019 Audi A6 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 18% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2019 Audi A6 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,950 to $3,200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2019 Audi A6 have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Audi A6 year is better than the 2019?
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