2020 Audi A6 Reliability Report

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

Caution

Ranks 20th of 22 A6 years we score.

Owner complaints: 36
Per 10,000 cars: 53.6; 6,711 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 2.7×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 21; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 9
NHTSA crash rating: 5★; overall, out of 5

← 2019 A6 2021 A6 →

Should You Buy the 2020 Audi A6?

Only after careful checks. Our reliability score for the 2020 Audi A6 is 64 out of 100, which rates Caution. Owners reported about 2.7 times as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 20th of the 22 A6 years we score.

The most reported problem is the alternator or charging system (7 of 36 complaints). Owners also complain about the wiring, fuses or body control module and the control module. 21 of the 36 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 9 recalls. Audi also offers three warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the drive axles, emissions system and driver assistance systems. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2019 scores 63 and the 2021 scores 64.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask an Audi dealer about warranty extension AWA-23-02 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Recent complaints at or below average
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
5-star NHTSA overall crash rating
3 Audi warranty extensions may cover repairs

Cons

About 2.7 times the problems of the average car its age
Alternator or charging failure7 complaints
Wiring, fuses or body control module failure7 complaints
Control module (unspecified) failure6 complaints

How the 2020 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	3.1×	−17
Everyday problems	1.8×	−6
Problems in the last two years	0.50×	−6
Recalls	1.7×	−7
Score		64

What Owners Report

We read all 36 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 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 36.

Alternator or charging failure
7 complaints (19%)
A failure. 6 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a tow.
Wiring, fuses or body control module failure
7 complaints (19%)
A failure, warning lights and rust or corrosion. 5 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Control module (unspecified) failure
6 complaints (17%)
A failure and reduced acceleration. 3 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of steering control.
Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
4 complaints (11%)
Water leaking in. Median mileage when it started: about 40,000 miles.
Emergency assist: the system acting on its own
3 complaints (8%)
The system acting on its own. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking.
Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
2 complaints (6%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: sudden braking.
Door lock actuators: not opening or unlocking
2 complaints (6%)
Not opening or unlocking.
Rearview camera: works on and off
2 complaints (6%)
Problems that come and go.

Reported Once (15)

Show the 15 problems reported once

A/C: stopped working
Cabin odor or mold: mold growth
Several warning lights at once
Door latches failure
Fuel gauge or level sensor: wrong readings
Instrument cluster: wrong readings
Interior trim: unusual noises
Key fob: not opening or unlocking
Lane keeping assist failure
Driver-assist camera and radar: works on and off
Rear axle and undercarriage: damage
Parking brake: not releasing
Start-stop system: stopped working
Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
Windows or locks or sunroof (operate by themselves): the system acting on its own

How the 2020 Audi A6 Compares With Other Years

The other A6 years of the 8th generation (C8), 2019 to 2025, and the years just before and after it.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2026	Too new	–	–	14.5	1	Loss of power (cause not stated)
2025	Not scored	–	–	5.6	2	Door lock actuators: the system acting on its own
2024	Not scored	–	–	5.6	1	–
2023	Not scored	–	–	3.6	1	–
2022	Not scored	–	–	15.9	6	Alternator or charging failure
2021	Caution	64	1.6×	28.3	13	Alternator or charging failure
2020 This year	Caution	64	2.7×	53.6	9	Alternator or charging failure
2019	Caution	63	2.8×	59.0	7	Alternator or charging failure
2018	Excellent	85	0.33×	8.5	2	Cooling system: a leak

See every A6 year

2020 Audi A6 Recalls

Nine recalls cover the 2020 Audi A6. The most recent was issued in December 2025: “Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111
A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 25V900000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 19, 2025. By the second quarter of 2026, 58% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Incorrect Brake Fluid Cap
Incorrect brake fluid can reduce braking ability and increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 23V601000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Aug 25, 2023. By the second quarter of 2025, 92% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Control Module Shutdown Can Reduce Engine Power
A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 22V861000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Nov 21, 2022. By the fourth quarter of 2024, 94% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel Gauge May Display Inaccurate Fuel Reading
An inaccurate fuel reading may cause an engine stall due to lack of fuel, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 22V155000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 14, 2022. By the fourth quarter of 2024, 94% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Rear Axle May Be Misaligned
Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 22V034000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 26, 2022. By the fourth quarter of 2023, 97% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Rear Axle Lock Nuts May Break
A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 21V295000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Apr 26, 2021. By the first quarter of 2023, 96% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

Show 3 more recalls

Passenger Air Bag May Deploy Incorrectly
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.
NHTSA 21V159000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 10, 2021. By the fourth quarter of 2022, 94% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Improper Deployment of Passenger Air Bag
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.
NHTSA 20V274000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 13, 2020. By the first quarter of 2022, 95% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Moisture May Enter Starter Generator
A short circuit in the starter generator increases the risk of a fire.
NHTSA 20V153000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 19, 2020. By the first quarter of 2022, 97% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

2020 Audi A6 Warranty Extensions and Programs

Audi has three warranty extensions for the 2020 Audi A6, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the drive axles, 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-23-02
CV joint failure
The problem:
A CV joint can fail from a defect. The bulletin does not say which joint or describe the symptoms.
The fix:
An Audi dealer diagnoses the CV joint and replaces it for free if it failed from a defect.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2018 Q5 and Q7, 2019 A6, A7, A8, Q5, Q7, Q8 and e-tron, and 2020 A6, A7, A8, Q5 and Q8. Other problems found during diagnosis are not covered.
Coverage:
5 years or 60,000 miles from the in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-23-06
EVAP purge valve or hose failure
The problem:
The EVAP purge valve or its hose can fail from a defect. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
The fix:
An Audi dealer diagnoses the EVAP purge valve and hose and replaces them for free if they failed from a defect.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2019 to 2024 S6, S7 and RS5 with the 2.9 or 3.0 TFSI V6. Other problems found during diagnosis are not covered.
Coverage:
15 years or 150,000 miles from the 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 2020 A6 ratings on NHTSA.gov.

4-door AWD, 4-door FWD, 4-door FWD with rear side airbags, 4-door AWD with rear side airbags and allroad AWD

Overall5/5

Frontal crash4/5

Side crash5/5

Rollover5/5

S6 4-door AWD

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Side crashNot rated

Rollover5/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2020 A6, from its nine recalls, three 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.

Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 NHTSA 25V900000
Incorrect Brake Fluid Cap NHTSA 23V601000
Control Module Shutdown Can Reduce Engine Power NHTSA 22V861000
Fuel Gauge May Display Inaccurate Fuel Reading NHTSA 22V155000
Rear Axle May Be Misaligned NHTSA 22V034000
Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 9 recalls and which are still open.

Ask an Audi Dealer

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

AWA-23-02: CV joint failure
AWA-23-06: EVAP purge valve or hose failure
AWA-24-04: automatic emergency braking system faults

On the Test Drive

Ask about battery and starter replacements. A slow start after the car sits is a warning sign.
Look for water stains or damp carpet, and test the sunroof.
Watch for sudden braking or steering with nothing ahead, and ask whether the driver-assist software updates were done.

Ask the Seller

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

Alternator or charging system
Wiring, fuses or body control module
Control module
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.