2018 Audi A6 Problems: Engine (11 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2018 Audi A6 is Engine (45% of 11 owner reports). There are 2 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Engine — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 11 complaints · 2 recalls

What problems show up on the 2018 Audi A6?

5 of 11 filings named Engine (45% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Fuel system (2 reports).

There are 2 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Airbags and Fuel system. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2017 has 20 reports on file; this year has 11. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2018 Audi A6

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 2 campaigns on file below.
  2. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  3. Fuel system. Check for fuel smell, leaks and whether it starts and idles cleanly.
  4. Airbags. Confirm the airbag light behaves normally and that open airbag recalls are closed.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Engine. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Engine 5 complaints · 45.5% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 0
  • Fires 1
  • Injuries 0
  • Deaths 0
All Audi A6 years →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Engine (ENGINE) appears in 5 of 11 owner complaints (45.5%) in this vehicle snapshot. Engine (ENGINE): 5 complaints, 45.5% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 5 · 45.5% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 2 complaints, 18.2% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 2 · 18.2% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 1 complaints, 9.1% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 1 · 9.1% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 1 complaints, 9.1% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 1 · 9.1% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 2 complaints, 18.2% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 1 fire reports 2 · 18.2% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Engine (ENGINE) 5 45.5% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 2 18.2% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 1 9.1% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 1 9.1% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 2 18.2% 0 crashes · 1 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jan 2020; the first recall shown was reported in Jun 2018. 2020-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2020-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2022-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2023-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2023-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2024-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2026-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 Owner reports Jun 2018 Jan 2026 Recall campaign 18V370000 ◆ Recall campaign 18V370000 Recall campaign 19V035000 ◆ Recall campaign 19V035000
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2020-Q1 Owner reports 1
2020-Q4 Owner reports 1
2022-Q1 Owner reports 1
2023-Q2 Owner reports 1
2023-Q4 Owner reports 4
2024-Q1 Owner reports 1
2026-Q1 Owner reports 2
Recall campaign 1 18V370000
Recall campaign 1 19V035000
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (2)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Airbags and Fuel system.

  1. Recall campaign 18V370000

    Airbags

    Report date
    Component:
    Airbags (AIR BAGS)
    Consequence:
    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.
    Remedy:
    Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a PODS system repair kit, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D5.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 19V035000

    Fuel system

    Report date
    Component:
    Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
    Consequence:
    A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the left and right fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 24DP.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 10 of 11 complaints · page 1 of 1
2026-03-12Airbags (AIR BAGS)
NHTSA ODI 11723830
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Audi is unable to correct the recall repairs despite several attempts by us to schedule. Advised parts are no longer available and were not available during 2 previous attempts to repair.
2026-03-12Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11723814
CrashFireInjuryDeath
February 27, at approximately 1:20am my vehicle caught fire while parked in the driveway after sitting for about 9 hours. The fire originated near the gas tank. The fire department was called, there is a fire report being conducted. Audi was notified.
2024-03-27Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11579713
CrashFireInjuryDeath
2018 Audi A6 3.0T diagnosed a coolant leak due to water pump failure at less than 43k miles on March 27, 2024. In July 2023 (at less than 39k miles), the vehicle's thermostat was replaced due to a coolant leak. These are substantial failures in terms of risk to engine damage and cost to consumer, within a time and mileage period where a consumer should not expect these issues.
2023-12-29Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11562566
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The main water pump failed earlier than expected at 48000miles. Dealer mentioned that water pump should not fail so early
2023-12-08Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11559166
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Coolant leak, warning light signified an issue with the cooling system. Took vehicle to Audi dealership service department; they confirmed there is a big coolant leak with the coolant pump and thermostat. Vehicle inspected by Audi Sewell dealership for repairs. Symptoms appeared approximately 11/19/23, 2 weeks days prior to taking into the dealership. I had the oil changed at a non-Audi supplier); I informed service technician coolant warning light was on and service tech informed me vehicle was low on coolant. He replaced oil and topped off coolant on 11/19. Service light was no longer on; 2 weeks after the light came on again so i reported to Audi on 12/1/23 for repairs. Audi confirmed lose of containment of coolant.
2023-10-17Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11550529
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The EPC light came on in my vehicle and I noticed I started to lose gas faster than normal. Took it to a shop to get diagnosed, they stated that my vehicle was under a recall (Recall #24DP). I called Audi and they said I do not fall under the warranty even though the website said 2016-2018 Audi A6 were under recall. They would not provide any help for me. My vehicle is showing all the signs of the recall. Sometimes the car will accelerate too fast and it is a risk for not only other drivers but me as well. It is just ironic that the same same problem for that recall is happening to my vehicle.
2023-10-17Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11550363
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2018 Audi A6. The contact stated that the EPC and engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was notified of an unstated recall. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the repair was not covered under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed about a buyback, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.
2023-06-30Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11529811
CrashFireInjuryDeath
2018 Audi A6 3.0T, VIN [XXX] At 38,637 miles, Audi dealership diagnosed that vehicle requires water pump replacement due to water pump failure, causing vehicle to leak coolant. The vehicle has previously displayed a low coolant warning light prior to water pump failure diagnosis. My research has found that in October 2022, a class action suit was filed for over water pump defects. See: https://www.classaction.org/news/audi-defective-water-pump-class-action-includes-2021-2022-vehicle-models-with-3.0t-engines The suit looks to cover all persons or entities in the United States who are current or former owners and/or lessees of a 2013-2022 Audi S4, Q5, S5, SQ5, A6, A7, Q7 and A8 vehicles with a 3.0T engine. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
2022-02-14Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11451978
CrashFireInjuryDeath
While driving at 60mph on the freeway, the glass sunroof on my 2018 Audi A6 randomly exploded/shattered. Glass shards flew into the cabin. There was no apparent “rock” or outside influence on the glass to cause it to shatter. The remaining glass remnants on the sunroof were angled up as if to suggest an explosion.
2020-11-02Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11372708
CrashFireInjuryDeath
AT SLOW SPEED AND PARTICULARLY WHEN STARTING FROM STATIONARY, SUCH AS STOPPED TO WAIT TO TURN LEFT, THE CAR STALLS FOR 2-3 SECONDS, SUGGESTING THAT IT ISN'T GETTING FUEL. ONCE MOVING, THE CAR RUNS FINE. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE AUDI DEALER TWICE. THE PROBLEM REMAINS. THE CAR ONLY HAS 14,800 MILES ON IT. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN MARCH, 2020.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2018 Audi A6?

Owners named Engine most often — 5 of 11 reports (45%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2018 Audi A6?

NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Airbags and Fuel system. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2018 Audi A6?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources