2017 Audi A6 Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026

Excellent

Ranks 3rd of 22 A6 years we score.

Owner complaints: 25; 3 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 13.0; 16,973 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.54×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 11; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 4
NHTSA crash rating: 5★; overall, out of 5

← 2016 A6 2018 A6 →

Should You Buy the 2017 Audi A6?

Yes. Our reliability score for the 2017 Audi A6 is 80 out of 100, which rates Excellent. Owners reported about half as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 3rd of the 22 A6 years we score.

The most reported problem is the steering, mostly loss of steering control (5 of 25 complaints). Owners also complain about engine mounts and the turbo oil screen. 11 of the 25 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 4 recalls. Audi also offers two warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the emissions system and driver assistance systems. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2016 scores 74 and the 2018 scores 85.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask an Audi dealer about warranty extension AWA-20-05 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Excellent reliability score of 80
About half the problems of the average car its age
Recent complaints at or below average
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

Steering: loss of steering control5 complaints
Engine mounts: a leak3 complaints
Turbo oil screen: clogged3 complaints

How the 2017 A6 Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	0.59×	−8
Everyday problems	0.43×	−3
Problems in the last two years	0.30×	−4
Recalls	0.79×	−5
Score		80

What Owners Report

We read all 25 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2017 Audi A6, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first. A complaint that describes more than one problem is counted under each, so the counts add up to more than 25.

Steering: loss of steering control
5 complaints (20%)
Loss of steering control, a failure and a stored fault code. 4 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of steering control.
Engine mounts: a leak
3 complaints (12%)
A leak and a failure.
Turbo oil screen: clogged
3 complaints (12%)
Clogged and a failure.
Turbocharger failure
3 complaints (12%)
A failure and a loss of power.
Cooling system: overheating
2 complaints (8%)
Overheating. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.

Reported Once (12)

Show the 12 problems reported once

Airbag warning light
Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
Control module (unspecified) failure
Several warning lights at once
Fuel pump failure
Instrument cluster: stopped working
Manifold and timing chain cover: a leak
Side blind zone alert: works on and off
Stall (cause not stated)
Start-stop system: the car not starting
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
Warning lights (cause not stated)

How the 2017 Audi A6 Compares With Other Years

The other A6 years of the 7th generation (C7), 2012 to 2018, and the years just before and after it.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2019	Caution	63	2.8×	59.0	7	Alternator or charging failure
2018	Excellent	85	0.33×	8.5	2	Cooling system: a leak
2017 This year	Excellent	80	0.54×	13.0	4	Steering: loss of steering control
2016	Good	74	0.83×	20.6	4	Cooling system: a leak
2015	Good	78	0.48×	13.9	5	Cooling system: a leak
2014	Good	71	0.78×	23.0	6	Turbocharger failure
2013	Caution	68	1.3×	40.4	8	Turbocharger: stalling
2012	Good	70	0.88×	28.4	8	Cooling system: a leak
2011	Good	78	0.52×	15.2	3	Seats: parts breaking or coming apart

See every A6 year

2017 Audi A6 Recalls

Four recalls cover the 2017 Audi A6. The most recent was issued in March 2022: “Blocked Turbocharger Oil Strainer.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Blocked Turbocharger Oil Strainer
Worn bearings can cause the turbine wheel to contact the turbocharger housing or cause the shaft to break, causing an engine stall and increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 22V178000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 23, 2022. By the second quarter of 2024, 79% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Improperly Welded Fuel Rails May Leak Fuel
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.
NHTSA 19V035000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 16, 2019. By the second quarter of 2020, 92% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger's Air Bag May Deploy Improperly
If the PODS module malfunctions, the front passenger air bag may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 18V370000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 4, 2018. By the first quarter of 2020, 85% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air Bags or Seat Belt Pretensioners May Not Deploy
In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
NHTSA 16V955000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 29, 2016. By the second quarter of 2018, 86% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

2017 Audi A6 Warranty Extensions and Programs

Audi has two warranty extensions for the 2017 Audi A6, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the emissions system and driver assistance systems. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which an Audi dealer can check.

Warranty extensionAudi AWA-20-05
Rear oxygen sensor failure, 4.0 TFSI
The problem:
The rear oxygen sensor on the 4.0 TFSI engine can fail. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
The fix:
An Audi dealer repairs or replaces a failed rear oxygen sensor, with any parts and labor needed.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2016 to 2018 S6, S7, RS7, A8 and S8 with the 4.0 TFSI engine. Cars already repaired still qualify, but totaled cars do not.
Coverage:
10 years or 120,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-24-04
Automatic emergency braking system faults
The problem:
The automatic emergency braking, or AEB, system can malfunction when its control unit, a camera, the LIDAR or a sensor fails.
The fix:
An Audi dealer repairs the AEB fault and Audi pays 75 percent of the cost. Damage from crashes, impacts, moved sensors or weather is not covered.
Who qualifies:
Certain Audis covered by the settlement, with a confirmed fault in the AEB control unit, cameras, LIDAR or sensors. If the new car warranty's time ran out by May 16, 2024, the extension's time limit was November 16, 2024.
Coverage:
Up to 12 months or 12,000 miles after the new car warranty ends. Ask an Audi dealer for the exact terms.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2017 A6 ratings on NHTSA.gov.

4-door AWD, 4-door FWD and S6 4-door AWD

Overall5/5

Frontal crash5/5

Side crash5/5

Rollover5/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2017 A6, from its four recalls, two Audi warranty extensions that may still apply and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Blocked Turbocharger Oil Strainer NHTSA 22V178000
Improperly Welded Fuel Rails May Leak Fuel NHTSA 19V035000
Passenger's Air Bag May Deploy Improperly NHTSA 18V370000
Air Bags or Seat Belt Pretensioners May Not Deploy NHTSA 16V955000

Ask an Audi Dealer

Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

AWA-20-05: rear oxygen sensor failure, 4.0 TFSI
AWA-24-04: automatic emergency braking system faults

On the Test Drive

Turn the wheel fully left and right, parked and at low speed. Sticking, notches or stiffness are warning signs.
In drive at a stop, heavy vibration through the cabin is a warning sign.
Listen for whistling and watch for reduced-power warnings.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Steering
Engine mounts
Turbo oil screen
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All A6 Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Audi may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.