2020 Audi A6 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (11) · Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking (3) · Steering (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Audi A6 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (9)
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera 2025-12-19 · campaign 25V900000 · 356,894 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid 2023-08-25 · campaign 23V601000 · 7,499 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi S7, S6 Sedan, RS7, RS6 Avant, A6 Allroad, 2019-2021 A7, and A6 Sedan vehicles. An incorrectly labeled brake fluid cap may have been installed, which can result in the use of the wrong type of brake fluid.
Risk: Incorrect brake fluid can reduce braking ability and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the brake fluid reservoir cap and, if necessary, replace it, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 17, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47T9.
Electrical System 2022-11-21 · campaign 22V861000 · 50,883 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Audi S7, S6 Sedan, A6 Allroad, 2021-2022 RS7, RS6 Avant, 2019-2022 A7, and A6 Sedan vehicles. Liquid spilled in the rear seat may penetrate and cause the gateway control module to shut down.
Risk: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a protective cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90V2.
Electrical System:instrument Panel:fuel Gauge:fuel Level Float/Sensor/Sending Unit 2022-03-14 · campaign 22V155000 · 47,238 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 RS6 Avant and RS7, 2020-2022 A6 Allroad, S6 Sedan, and S7, and 2019-2022 A6 Sedan and A7 vehicles. The fuel level sender may stick, causing an inaccurate fuel level reading to be displayed on the instrument cluster.
Risk: An inaccurate fuel reading may cause an engine stall due to lack of fuel, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a new sensor in the tank, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2023. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 20DN.
Tires 2022-01-26 · campaign 22V034000 · 31,058 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
Risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
Suspension:rear:axle:non-Powered Axle Assembly 2021-04-26 · campaign 21V295000 · 40,993 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
Risk: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
Air Bags 2021-03-10 · campaign 21V159000 · 3,421 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi RS6 Avant, RS7, 2020-2021 A6 Allroad, S6 Sedan, S7, 2019-2021 A6 Sedan, and A7 vehicles. The score line on the passenger air bag may not have been manufactured correctly.
Risk: An incorrectly manufactured air bag may not deploy properly, and could also eject plastic debris into the passenger compartment, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the passenger air bag score line, and repair it as necessary, free of charge. The recall begin March 26, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 70i2.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2020-05-13 · campaign 20V274000 · 153 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Audi A6, A6 Allroad and A7 vehicles. The passenger air bag may not properly deploy through the instrument panel tear seam.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the passenger air bag may not properly deploy and inflate, and small plastic parts may enter the cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the instrument panels, free of charge. The recall began June 24, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 70H6.
Electrical System:starter Assembly 2020-03-19 · campaign 20V153000 · 5,471 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Audi A6 vehicles equipped with mild-hybrid technology and 2.0TFSI engines. Moisture may enter the starter generator and cause an electrical short circuit.
Risk: A short circuit in the starter generator increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the starter generator, free of charge. The recall began by May 22, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 27H2.
Service bulletins (1,382)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2083409_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
Engine 2026-09-25 · TSB_2083393_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when the starter/generator drive belt is noisy or came off.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2052680_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
Electrical System 2026-09-23 · TSB_2083385_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when there is a warning message in the instrument cluster about external sound.
Electrical System 2026-09-23 · TSB_2063336_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when dtc c12bff0 is stored in the lane change modeul or the radar sensor; intersection assist/lane change assist are inoperable.
Steering 2026-09-22 · TSB_2074846_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,382 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-27 · Latches/Locks/Linkages · 32,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 audi a6. the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the malfunctioning system central locking error message was displayed. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a central locking system malfunction. the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. the dealer was co…”
2026-10-08 · Electrical System“central locking malfunction. vehicle reports central lock error and can’t be opened easily from outside or inside. unlocking from the key fob leads to the door locks to malfunction. operating door handles is impossible from inside or outside. all doors are impacted. …”
2026-09-03 · Unknown Or Other“the electronic/central door locking system on my 2020 audi a6 malfunctioned. the vehicle and affected components are available for inspection upon request. the vehicle was running with my two young children secured in car seats in the rear seats. i briefly exited and closed the driver's door. when i attempted to re-enter, the vehicle was locked an…”
2026-03-07 · Electrical System“the audi software/mmi system has issues showing the 360 cameras in addition to the rear facing camera. every few starts when i back out of a parking space/garage, the side mirror cameras show a black or camera with a cancel sign on the screen. the issue will not stop until the car is parked/off. for at least an hour. this issue has been happing sin…”
2026-03-07 · Electrical System“audi a6s have had massive issues with the door actuators. there are times when you go open the passenger side doors (both front and rear) and the doors will not open as there is either an electrical, software, or device specific issue. it requires 2-3 pulls of the door latch to open the front and rear passenger doors. the issues keep appearing a mo…”
2026-02-08 · Seats“* passenger front seat wiring harness corrosion and failure due to water ingress due to leaking web plate in the longitudinal member on passenger side. water ingress in passenger compartment caused electrical failure and black mold to grow in the interior carpet and seat rails as well as in an electrical well in the floor board. *black mold and mil…”
2026-01-06 · Structure · 67,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 audi a6. the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, water leaked into the vehicle and accumulated in the rear passenger’s side area of the vehicle. the contact initially believed that the failure might be related to inclement weather; however, the issue persisted. the vehicle was taken to a dealer, where a video d…”
2025-11-09 · Unknown Or Other“i was traveling at ~65mph on the freeway when the sunroof spontaneously exploded. it was louder than a gunshot—i nearly lost control of the vehicle. the explosion occurred in the outward direction. there was no evidence of impact of preexisting damage. internet research suggests this is not an uncommon occurrence.…”
2025-10-17 · Electrical System“water intrusion in passenger floor board which causes problem with control module and reduces acceleration …”
2024-02-17 · Fuel/Propulsion System“audi issued a recall for our vehicle’s fuel level sender which reports the amount of fuel in the tank to our fuel gauge display in late 2022 or early 2023. the reason for the recall stems from a safety issue in which the car incorrectly can display that there is more fuel in the tank than what is actually there. our local dealership’s service cent…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.