2020 Audi A6 Safety Report
2020 Audi A6 Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2020 Audi A6
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2020 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 | High (9) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (24) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Electrical System | Compare electrical system issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2023 | Compare against the 2023 Audi A6 with 1 complaints and 1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Audi A6 | 11 | 11 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Audi A6 | 107 | 7 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Audi A6 | 2 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2023 Audi A6 | 1 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Audi A6 | 19 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Audi A6 | 50 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2020 Audi A6 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2020 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
10 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Audi onlyForward Collision Avoidance
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Forward Collision Avoidance issues Audi onlyStructure,Unknown Or Other
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure,Unknown Or Other issues Audi onlyElectrical System,Seats
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Seats issues Audi onlyElectrical System,Structure
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Structure issues Audi onlyFuel/Propulsion System
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Audi onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2020 Audi A6
Reliability Score
The 2020 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 2020 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 2020 Audi A6
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2020 Audi A6:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System Issues with the electrical system, including door actuator failures and water intrusion, have been reported. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Forward Collision Avoidance The forward collision avoidance system has shown intermittent performance, leading to safety concerns. |
Low | Common | 0-100k miles |
| Rear View Camera The rear view camera has stopped working intermittently, affecting the driver's visibility. |
Medium | Common | 0-100k miles |
| Fuel Gauge Audi has issued a recall for the fuel gauge, which reports the amount of fuel in the tank to the fuel gauge display. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2020 Audi A6:
Issues with the electrical system, including door actuator failures and water intrusion, have been reported.
The forward collision avoidance system has shown intermittent performance, leading to safety concerns.
The rear view camera has stopped working intermittently, affecting the driver's visibility.
Audi has issued a recall for the fuel gauge, which reports the amount of fuel in the tank to the fuel gauge display.
Recall Details for the 2020 Audi A6
The following 9 recalls have been issued for the 2020 Audi A6 by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: Volkswagen 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.
Consequence: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
Summary: Volkswagen 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.
Consequence: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
Summary: 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.
Summary: Volkswagen 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the instrument panels, free of charge. The recall began June 24, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 70H6.
Summary: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2020 Audi A6
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2020 Audi A6 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Audi A6s have had massive issues with the door actuators. There are times when you go open the passenger side doors (both front and rear) and the doors will not open as there is either an electrical, software, or device specific issue. It requires 2-3 pulls of the door latch to open the front and rear passenger doors. The issues keep appearing a month or two after the dealership supposedly fixes t...
The Audi software/MMI system has issues showing the 360 cameras in addition to the rear facing camera. Every few starts when I back out of a parking space/garage, the side mirror cameras show a black or camera with a cancel sign on the screen. The issue will not stop until the car is parked/off. for at least an hour. This issue has been happing since I purchased the car back in early 2021 and Audi...
* Passenger front Seat wiring harness corrosion and failure due to water ingress due to leaking web plate in the longitudinal member on passenger side. Water ingress in passenger compartment caused electrical failure and black mold to grow in the interior carpet and seat rails as well as in an electrical well in the floor board. *Black mold and mildew can cause long term health risks to those pers...
The contact owns a 2020 Audi A6. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, water leaked into the vehicle and accumulated in the rear passenger’s side area of the vehicle. The contact initially believed that the failure might be related to inclement weather; however, the issue persisted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where a video diagnostic inspection was performed. The dealer dia...
I was traveling at ~65mph on the freeway when the sunroof spontaneously exploded. It was louder than a gunshot—I nearly lost control of the vehicle. The explosion occurred in the outward direction. There was no evidence of impact of preexisting damage. Internet research suggests this is not an uncommon occurrence.
Water intrusion in passenger floor board which causes problem with control module and reduces acceleration
Audi issued a recall for our vehicle’s fuel level sender which reports the amount of fuel in the tank to our fuel gauge display in late 2022 or early 2023. The reason for the recall stems from a safety issue in which the car incorrectly can display that there is more fuel in the tank than what is actually there. Our local dealership’s service center, Princeton Audi initially completed this recall...
Experienced alternator / generator failure while driving. Various vehicle systems starting shutting down and warning symbols were displayed. Vehicle stopped running on the highway and needed to be towed to the local Audi dealership. The sequence / progression of failure occurred over several miles with complete vehicle shutdown and stop in the middle of a busy highway intersection. Dealer confirme...
The Audi presense system works intermittently. While under warranty I told the dealer the system wasn't working and they claimed that I must have hit something and would have to pay approximately $4,000 to realign the system. I refused to pay to realign/adjust the system since it was under warranty. I contacted the Audi customer advocate department who said they rely on the dealer to identify the ...
The rear view camera on the vehicle stops working intermittently. I have provided photographs of this to the Dealer. Their scanning of fault codes noted that the "right environmental camera faulty B127D04: Rear environmental camera faulty." The ticket also notes they found multiple sporadic faults for B127F04. Although they have admitted to finding faults with the camera, they refuse to f...
The car literally stopped working while driving. All electrical components shut down. Unable to put the car into neutral to push it to safety. Had a hard time getting the vehicle towed because the parking break engaged somehow and we were unable to disengage it. Hazard lights did not work at all! Extremely unsafe situation to be in, especially if on a highway or expressway with vehicles traveling...
Electrical system malfunction. Car will not run
Receiving multiple electrical warnings including low battery charge, vehicle starting system, parking brake malfunction, stabilization control (ESC/ABS), parking aid malfunction, and all-wheel drive malfunction. Issue appears to be due to a common failing 48v battery alternator.
I purchased the car new around June 2020 and it currently has just under 26,000 miles on it. Earlier this week while driving the car, an electrical malfunction warning appeared on the dashboard display. The first dealership I contacted did not deem it serious and set me up for an appointment over a month away. The second dealership I called had me tow the car in right away as the thought was my...
While driving to work, received notification of "Electrical System Malfunction, contact service immediately". I contacted Audi. They advised me to either bring the vehicle in or have it towed. I drove to Audi that afternoon. While driving to the service facility, the warning changed and told me to pull over immediately. As I was close to the dealership, I continue to drive and was able to mak...
Vehicle reports Electric Malfunction and then suddenly start getting all warnings like all controls (like steering etc) disabled and vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. Had to get it towed and taken to dealership. They do not have a fix for this problem and no estimates on how long it will take to fix the issue and get the car back.
The contact owns a 2020 Audi A6. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The brake, transmission, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the windows inadvertently rolled up and down while driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver's and passenger's side rear seats sustai...
Gateway unit that is located under the rear seat has an inadequate insulation and is susceptible to liquid exposure and electrical failure. A liquid penetrated the rear seat and short-circuit the gateway while vehicle was moving resulting in a near-accident by shutting down power steering, brakes, and many of the car's systems. Failure messages began appearing and vehicle was unresponsive to driv...
On more that one occasion, after starting the car and putting the car in drive, the display continues to show that the car is in PARK. I can drive several hundred feet with the display showing PARK. Then the display will go totally dark and, after several seconds, it will show that the car is in DRIVE.
Various components and system malfunctioned. Vehicle is in dealership for 3rd time on electrical/software/hardware troubles, SOS module. Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection. The car stopped me on a major highway thinking that I was not available "Emergency Assist, Driver take over the wheel" when I had both hands on the wheel, going straight and was fully in control of the vehicle. Th...
Showing 20 of 24 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 Audi A6
Has the 2020 AUDI A6 been recalled?
Yes, the 2020 AUDI A6 has 9 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2020 AUDI A6 have?
The 2020 AUDI A6 has 24 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 AUDI A6?
The 2020 AUDI A6 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 5/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 AUDI A6?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2020 AUDI A6 involve electrical system (10 complaints), forward collision avoidance (3 complaints), structure,unknown or other (2 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system,seats, electrical system,structure, fuel/propulsion system.
How many crash reports does the 2020 AUDI A6 have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2020 AUDI A6 in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2020 AUDI A6 have?
There are no fire reports for the 2020 AUDI A6 in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2020 AUDI A6?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 AUDI A6.
How many injuries are reported for the 2020 AUDI A6?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 AUDI A6.
Should I buy a 2020 AUDI A6?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2020 AUDI A6 is acceptable with caveats. It has 24 complaints, 9 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 2020 AUDI A6?
The components with the most failures on the 2020 AUDI A6 are: 1. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (10 complaints), 2. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (3 complaints), 3. STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS (1 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE (1 complaints). ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 10 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2020 AUDI A6?
Be aware of potential electrical system issues and forward collision avoidance system malfunctions. Regular maintenance and timely recalls can help mitigate these risks. The 2020 AUDI A6 has 24 NHTSA complaints and 9 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2020 AUDI A6?
The 2020 AUDI A6 receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 24 owner complaints, 9 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Electrical System and Forward Collision Avoidance.
What are the known issues with the 2020 AUDI A6?
Known issues with the 2020 AUDI A6 include: Electrical System, Forward Collision Avoidance, Rear View Camera, Fuel Gauge. These are based on patterns found across 24 NHTSA complaints. 9 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common electrical system issues in the 2020 Audi A6?
Common electrical system issues include door actuator failures and water intrusion, which can lead to electrical warnings and system malfunctions.
Has Audi issued any recalls for the 2020 Audi A6?
Yes, Audi has issued recalls for the fuel gauge and electrical system components, including the door actuators and rear view camera.
Are there any safety concerns with the forward collision avoidance system in the 2020 Audi A6?
Yes, the forward collision avoidance system has shown intermittent performance, which can pose safety risks.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential electrical system issues and forward collision avoidance system malfunctions. Regular maintenance and timely recalls can help mitigate these risks.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2020 Audi A6
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2020 Audi A6. The data includes 24 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 9 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2020 Audi A6 an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 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