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2020 Audi A6: common problems and reliability
· C8One of the weaker A6 years.
58 owner complaints, most about electrical system. 9 recalls.
Should I buy a 2020 A6?The 2020 Audi A6 has 58 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 9 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and forward collision avoidance. Owners most often flag fake exhaust outlets: description: owners strongly dislike the fake chrome exhaust tips, calling it a “hack job” and a “horrible styling trend.”.
Safety record for the 2020 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2020 Audi A6 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other A6 years only. How we score it
Is 2020 a good year for the A6?
Across the 30 A6 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 2 (2023) to 231 (1999). With 58 complaints, the 2020 A6 sits about the same as the model's median of 54.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2020 A6
tires
Campaign 22V034000Volkswagen 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.
air bags
Campaign 21V159000Volkswagen 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.
suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly
Campaign 21V295000Volkswagen 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.
electrical system:starter assembly
Campaign 20V153000Volkswagen 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.
Show 5 more recalls
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 20V274000Volkswagen 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.
electrical system:instrument panel:fuel gauge:fuel level float/sensor/sending unit
Campaign 22V155000Volkswagen 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.
electrical system
Campaign 22V861000Volkswagen 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.
service brakes, hydraulic:fluid
Campaign 23V601000Volkswagen 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.
back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Campaign 25V900000Volkswagen 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."
What owners report on the C8 A6
Owners praise the C8 A6 for its sharp exterior design, especially the Avant wagon, and its luxurious, tech-forward interior.
- Very frequentFake exhaust outlets
Description: Owners strongly dislike the fake chrome exhaust tips, calling it a “hack job” and a “horrible styling trend.”.
- Very frequentHatch water retention
Description: Water pours out from the top edge of the hatch when opened after rain or a car wash. Some dealers attribute it to a failed spoiler seal (not covered by warranty), while others claim it is normal by design.
- RecurrentDual touchscreen controls
Description: Owners dislike the lack of physical buttons for HVAC, volume, and tuning, citing fingerprints and distraction.
- IsolatedABS module failure
- IsolatedInterior rattles
Description: One owner described the car as “riddled with rattles.”.
Owner insights for the C8 A6. Read the full C8 owner report.
Other A6 model years
Compare every A6 year side by side to see how 2020 ranks against the rest.
Compare the A6 against its rivals
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