2019 Audi A6: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2019 Audi A6
On the 2019 Audi A6, the failure owners report most often is other electrical problem, with 42 reports on file. Across every failure mode on this year, half the dated reports were filed before 0 miles. Overall it scores 87 out of 100, severe risk for a 2019.
Severe risk for a 2019 — 1st riskiest of the 245 2019 vehicles we can rate. 194 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
What owners report breaking
Owners have reported 31 named failure modes on the 2019 Audi A6, and the three most-reported carry 50% of everything filed.
Other electrical problem leads with 42 reports and about 14 per 1,000 vehicles.
Alternator or charging system failure follows with 38 reports.
Other engine problem follows with 17 reports, median 0 miles.
By system, the reports fall mostly into electrical (81), transmission (30) and engine (22).
When these failures get reported
30 of the reports on the 2019 Audi A6 came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 0 miles.
The busiest stretch is between 0 and 10,000 miles, which alone holds 87% of the dated reports.
97% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles, which is early enough that a fair number of these cars were still under a factory warranty when the owner complained.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 31. The full list is in the table below.
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
How bad it is when it goes
Across the named modes, 4 mention a crash, 2 a fire and 4 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 4.08, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: other electrical problem at $250–$2,000, alternator or charging system failure at $450–$1,600, other engine problem at $300–$4,000 and complete transmission failure at $2,800–$8,000. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
28% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 42 | 4 | — | 10k | — | 13.8 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Alternator or charging system failure | electrical | 38 | 0 | — | — | — | 12.5 | $450–$1,600 | High |
| Other engine problem | engine | 17 | 7 | — | 150 | — | 5.6 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Complete transmission failure | transmission | 16 | 0 | — | — | — | 5.2 | $2,800–$8,000 | Critical |
| Lane keep or steering assist fault | adas | 10 | 2 | — | 7k | — | 3.3 | $200–$1,600 | High |
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 8 | 2 | — | 1k | — | 2.6 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Other steering problem | steering | 7 | 1 | — | 500 | — | 2.3 | $350–$2,400 | High |
| Tail light, brake light or signal failure | lighting | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.3 | $100–$900 | Moderate |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 4 | 2 | — | 400 | — | 1.3 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Other driver assistance problem | adas | 4 | 2 | — | 13k | — | 1.3 | $250–$1,800 | High |
| No-start or intermittent start failure | engine | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.0 | $200–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Transmission will not engage a gear | transmission | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.0 | $1,500–$6,000 | Critical |
| Shifter, linkage or stuck-in-park failure | transmission | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.0 | $250–$1,400 | High |
| Loss of braking | brakes | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.0 | $400–$3,000 | Critical |
| ABS module or sensor failure | brakes | 3 | 2 | — | 10k | — | 1.0 | $500–$2,400 | High |
| Parking brake failure | brakes | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.0 | $250–$1,300 | Moderate |
| Cruise control failure | adas | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.0 | $200–$1,400 | High |
| Door latch or handle failure | body | 3 | 1 | — | 1k | — | 1.0 | $250–$1,200 | High |
| Water pump failure | cooling | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.7 | $500–$2,200 | High |
| Other wheel or tire problem | wheels | 2 | 1 | — | 500 | — | 0.7 | $200–$1,500 | High |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 2 | 2 | — | 3k | — | 0.7 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Electrical fire or melted wiring | electrical | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.3 | $1,500–$9,000 | Critical |
| Engine knock or bearing noise | engine | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.3 | $2,500–$9,000 | High |
| Turbocharger or supercharger failure | engine | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.3 | $1,500–$4,500 | High |
| Fuel gauge or level sensor failure | fuel | 1 | 1 | — | 14k | — | 0.3 | $300–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Infotainment screen failure | infotainment | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.3 | $400–$2,600 | Low |
| Backup camera failure | infotainment | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.3 | $250–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure | steering | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.3 | $700–$2,600 | High |
| Sunroof failure or glass breakage | body | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.3 | $700–$4,500 | High |
| Headlight failure or clouding | lighting | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.3 | $150–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Other fuel system problem | fuel | 1 | 1 | — | 150 | — | 0.3 | $300–$2,200 | High |
| Unclassified problem | other | 4 | 2 | — | 3k | — | 1.3 | — | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2019 Audi A6 draws about 64 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 97th percentile of complaint rates among 2019 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 3,050 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2019 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
What owners wrote
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.
Other electrical problem
I acquired this car (2.0t) two nights ago and on three occasions (so far) the engine completely stalls when the car comes to a stop. Not the typical auto on/off feature function. I have to restart the ignition and put the car in drive again. Once, even in the middle of rush hour traffic. So far, the only consistent scenario is when I am on the second leg of a trip. For example, I get in the car at my office, drive to a store or daycare. Get back in the car, start up, drive a couple of miles and the car shuts down at a complete stop. Very unnerving on a brand new car with less than 200 miles on it. I've looked across the internet and it seems to be quite a widespread issue for vw and audi drivers of recent model cars. This is a safety concern and needs to be addressed.
The contact owns a 2019 Audi A6. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rearview camera and blind spot monitoring system intermittently failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The dealer reprogrammed the computer and the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to Sewickley Audi (526 Ohio River Blvd Suite A, Sewickley, PA 15143) where the trunk cable and an unknown module were replaced. The failure recurred and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
Other engine problem
My 6 week old audi a6 was totaled when I was driving 20 MPH! I looked down to check my odometer, and within that time, no warning signals , brakes, etc. Alerted me! This car had all the bells and whistles! That morning I was on a tree lined drive to the tennis courts! No alerts! Hit a tree and all air bags deployed! Tremendous impact for 20 MPH! I was all banged up, car totaled! I am still in disbelief...thought I had the world's safest car. Has anyone else had a problem???
This issue happens when the car is stopped and the auto stop/start feature has stopped the engine. Most commonly at a stop light at a major city intersection, where the lights are longer. When the system attempts to restart the engine, it rough idles and then the drive system shuts down the engine, causing you too lose all power. This leaves you stranded, and risks causing someone to rear-end your vehicle if the light changes. Putting the car in park, turning off the ignition, and then turning the ignition back on resumes engine function. This has happened multiple times. So far the service center has been unable to identify the root cause.
Recalls on the 2019 model year
NHTSA has issued 7 recall campaigns covering the 2019 Audi A6, affecting an estimated 12,159 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover lane departure:software, back over prevention: sensing system: camera, service brakes, hydraulic:fluid and electrical system. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
Recalls also distort complaint counts. Publicity about a campaign reminds owners that complaining is possible, so reports for a recalled component often spike after the recall rather than before it.
LANE DEPARTURE:SOFTWARE
1,620 vehicles 2026-03-04- Defect
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019 Audi Q8, Audi A7, and Audi A6 vehicles previously repaired under recall number 25V900. Due to a software error, the lane departure warning system may be deactivated.
- Consequence
- The driver may be unaware that the lane departure warning system is deactivated and rely on a system that is not functional, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 13, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TW. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 6, 2026.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
356,894 vehicles 2025-12-19- 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."
- Consequence
- A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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
7,499 vehicles 2023-08-25- 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.
- Consequence
- Incorrect brake fluid can reduce braking ability and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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
50,883 vehicles 2022-11-21- 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.
- Consequence
- A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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
47,238 vehicles 2022-03-14- 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.
- Consequence
- An inaccurate fuel reading may cause an engine stall due to lack of fuel, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
AIR BAGS
3,421 vehicles 2021-03-10- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
5,471 vehicles 2020-03-19- 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.
- Consequence
- A short circuit in the starter generator increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2019 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
Where 2019 sits in the model line
Severe risk for a 2019 — 1st riskiest of the 245 2019 vehicles we can rate. Every score on this site is a rank inside its own model year, which is what makes a 2004 and a 2019 comparable at all.
Across the 26 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 1996 comes out best at 60 and 2019 worst at 87, with 2019 itself at 87.
If the model year is negotiable, 1996, 1997, 2021, 2005, 2007, 2004, 2014, 2000, 2003, 2006, 1999, 2015, 1998, 2009, 2012, 2011, 2008, 2010, 2002, 2020, 2001, 2013, 2017, 2018 and 2016 score lower than 2019 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.
Within the 2019–2022 generation specifically, 2021 is the strongest year at 64 and 2019 the weakest at 87.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 2019-2022 generation, 2021 Audi A6 scores best at 64 and 2019 Audi A6 worst at 87.
Where these figures stop being useful
194 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 194 reports, 30 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 15% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
Named failure modes come from matching phrases in the complaint text, so a badly worded complaint can land in the wrong bucket. The effect washes out across hundreds of reports and does not wash out across five.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Audi A6?
The most-reported failures are other electrical problem (42 reports, median 10,000 miles), alternator or charging system failure (38 reports) and other engine problem (17 reports, median 0 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
Is the 2019 Audi A6 reliable?
It scores 87 out of 100 on our risk index, which is severe — 1st riskiest of the 245 2019 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2019 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Audi A6 is best?
Within the 2019–2022 generation, 2021 scores best at 64 out of 100 and 2019 worst at 87. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed