2018 Audi A6 Safety Report
2018 Audi A6 Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Audi A6
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Audi A6. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (2) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 1 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Fuel/Propulsion System | Compare electrical system,unknown or other,fuel/propulsion system issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Audi A6 with 11 complaints and 11 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Audi A6 before buying across this generation. |
Audi A6 Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Audi A6 years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Audi A6 | 107 | 7 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Audi A6 | 19 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Audi A6 | 24 | 9 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2016 Audi A6 | 50 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Audi A6 | 11 | 11 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2015 Audi A6 | 21 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2018 Audi A6 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Audi A6, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Fuel/Propulsion System
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Fuel/Propulsion System issues Audi onlyAir Bags
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Audi onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Audi A6
Reliability Score
The 2018 Audi A6 receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 Audi A6
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2018 Audi A6
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Audi A6:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel Injection System Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Q7, A6, and A7 vehicles due to potential issues with the fuel injection system, which can lead to fires. |
High | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Air Bag System Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Audi S6 and S7, 2012-2018 Audi A6, due to issues with the air bag system, including sensor and occupant classification problems. |
Medium | Common | 0-100k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Audi A6:
Issues with the fuel injection system have been reported, leading to potential fires.
Problems with the air bag system, including sensor and occupant classification issues, have been reported.
Recall Details for the 2018 Audi A6
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Audi A6 by NHTSA:
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Q7, A6 and A7 vehicles, and 2015-2018 Audi A8 vehicles. The left and right fuel rails may leak fuel.
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.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Audi S6 and S7, 2012-2018 A7 and A6 Sedan, and 2014-2018 RS7 vehicles equipped with basic seats (with or without heating). Stress or wear of the body-sensing mat within the front passenger seat may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) control module to malfunction.
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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Audi A6
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Audi A6 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 involved fires.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Audi A6
Has the 2018 AUDI A6 been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 AUDI A6 has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 AUDI A6 have?
The 2018 AUDI A6 has 2 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 AUDI A6?
The 2018 AUDI A6 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 5/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 AUDI A6?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 AUDI A6 involve electrical system,unknown or other,fuel/propulsion system (1 complaints), air bags (1 complaints).
How many crash reports does the 2018 AUDI A6 have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2018 AUDI A6 in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2018 AUDI A6 have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2018 AUDI A6 out of 2 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 AUDI A6?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 AUDI A6.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 AUDI A6?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 AUDI A6.
Should I buy a 2018 AUDI A6?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 AUDI A6 is generally recommended. It has 2 complaints, 2 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 AUDI A6?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 AUDI A6 are: 1. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (1 complaints), 2. AIR BAGS (1 complaints). ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 1 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 AUDI A6?
Be cautious of the fuel injection system and air bag system issues. Ensure regular maintenance and be aware of recalls. The 2018 AUDI A6 has 2 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2018 AUDI A6?
The 2018 AUDI A6 receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 2 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 1 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Fuel Injection System and Air Bag System.
What are the known issues with the 2018 AUDI A6?
Known issues with the 2018 AUDI A6 include: Fuel Injection System, Air Bag System. These are based on patterns found across 2 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 Audi A6?
Yes, there are recalls for the fuel injection system and air bag system.
What should I do if I experience issues with the fuel injection system?
Contact Audi immediately and follow their guidance for repairs.
Is the air bag system issue common in the 2018 Audi A6?
Yes, there are reports of issues with the air bag system, including sensor and occupant classification problems.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of the fuel injection system and air bag system issues. Ensure regular maintenance and be aware of recalls.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Audi A6
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Audi A6. The data includes 2 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 1 fire incidents, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Audi A6 an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 5 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-13