Audi A6 Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 112 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the Audi A6 across 21 model years. The 2000 model year has the most (21). The words owners use most often: “catalytic converter” (11% of reports).
- 112engine and engine cooling complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- $3,850typical repair cost reported by owners
- 37%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Catalytic converter: mentioned in 12 of 112 complaints (11%)
- Water pump: mentioned in 10 of 112 complaints (9%)
- Timing belt: mentioned in 7 of 112 complaints (6%)
- Oil leaks: mentioned in 6 of 112 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine and engine cooling repair on the Audi A6 at $3,850, and half of them between $2,900 and $4,450.
Based on 8 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2004–2010), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 78 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 112 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 3 an injury.
Audi A6 engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 A6 | 1 | 6% | 80,000 |
| 2016 A6 | 2 | 4% | 37,103 |
| 2015 A6 | 4 | 18% | 79,000 |
| 2014 A6 | 1 | 2% | 149,087 |
| 2013 A6 | 1 | 2% | 61,871 |
| 2012 A6 | 3 | 5% | 5,000 |
| 2010 A6 | 2 | 12% | 7,250 |
| 2008 A6 | 3 | 4% | 8,446 |
| 2007 A6 | 3 | 6% | 18,035 |
| 2006 A6 | 2 | 3% | 7,050 |
| 2005 A6 | 3 | 3% | 90,000 |
| 2004 A6 | 3 | 9% | 92,000 |
| 2003 A6 | 3 | 5% | 23,000 |
| 2002 A6 | 15 | 17% | 100,095 |
| 2001 A6 | 18 | 16% | 67,500 |
| 2000 A6 | 21 | 14% | 56,500 |
| 1999 A6 | 17 | 8% | 72,500 |
| 1998 A6 | 6 | 5% | — |
| 1997 A6 | 1 | 5% | 90,000 |
| 1996 A6 | 2 | 4% | 100,600 |
| 1995 A6 | 1 | 6% | 118,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Engine and engine cooling:engine:engine control module (ecu/ecm)
Model years: 2022
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022 Audi A6 Sedan, A4 Sedan, Q5, and Q5 Sportback vehicles. The semiconductor inside the engine control unit may short-circuit and cause an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 24iH.
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system
Model years: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.
Risk: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system
Model years: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system, resulting in the pump overheating.
Risk: If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19M1.
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system
Model years: 1998
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the engine backfires during a cold-start, an air screen which is loosely seated in the air flow meter can become damaged.
Risk: Screen pieces could enter the intake air flow system and prevent the throttle plate from returning to its full idle position.
Fix: Dealers will install a retaining ring to hold the air screen in place.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2021 Audi A6. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle overheated. The engine overheating and the low coolant warning light illuminated. In addition, the engine seized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a coolant leak and…
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A6. The contact stated that while driving on neighborhood roads at approximately 25 MPH, the coolant warning light was illuminated. The contact proceeded to park on the side of the road and walk to her residence to pick up coolant to refill the coolant tank. The vehicle…
The contact owns a 2014 Audi A6. The contact stated that he became aware that the vehicle was experiencing abnormal oil consumption. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure, but an oil consumption test was not performed on the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 65-68 MPH…
The contact owns a 2016 Audi A6. The contact stated while having routine maintenance on the vehicle, the independent mechanic became aware that the water pump was leaking. The contact was informed that the water pump, the thermostat assembly, and the upper coolant pipe needed to be replaced. The…
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A6. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was antifreeze leaking underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that the leak was a recurring failure. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the "Turn Off Engine, Check Coolant Level"…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Audi A6s have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 112 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the Audi A6. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Audi A6 engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine and engine cooling problems on the Audi A6?
Owners report a typical cost of $3,850 (half paid between $2,900 and $4,450), from 8 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the Audi A6?
The most frequent phrase is “catalytic converter”, in 12 of 112 complaints, followed by “water pump” (10).
Other Audi A6 problems
- Electrical System problems (393)
- Air Bags problems (315)
- Engine problems (130)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (122)
- Steering problems (113)
- Power Train problems (112)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (106)
See all Audi A6 problems.