VehicleVerdict

2010 Audi A6 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 24 complaints on file for the 2010 Audi A6 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

24

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other A6 years?

See all A6 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Audi A6 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1146%
Engine521%
Seat Belts313%
Electrical System28%
Tires & Wheels28%
Lighting14%

Does the 2010 Audi A6 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V427000AirbagsJune 22, 2018 · 237,947 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Sedan, A4 Avant, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan, 2007-2008 RS4 Sedan, 2004 RS4 Cabriolet, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2005-2011 A6 Sedan, 2006-2011 A6 Avant, and 2007-2011 S6 Sedan vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag with an alternate remedy part, free of charge. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R7. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 16V382, 17V032 and 18V004 and includes vehicles that may have had their air bag previously replaced under one of those campaigns.

18V004000AirbagsJanuary 4, 2018 · 10,166 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Audi A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles, ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet vehicles, and 2009-2011 Audi A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Audi mailed an interim owner notification March 02, 2018. When parts to perform the recall repair become available, Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in June 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69U1. Note: This recall has been superseded by 18V427.

16V382000AirbagsJune 1, 2016 · 194,453 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Audi A4, and 2005-2011 Audi A6 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Audi A4, and 2005-2008 Audi A6 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling model year 2004 Audi A4 vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI A6. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT UNLATCHED INDEPENDENTLY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 13, 2016 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI A6. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STEAM APPEARED UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLANT SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER A DEALER NOR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 17, 2018 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI A6. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT UNLATCHED INDEPENDENTLY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · April 13, 2016 · crash

UPON INSPECTING THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE OF MY 2010 AUDI A6, I NOTICED A "BUBBLE" IN THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. THE BUBBLE WAS ABOUT 1 1/2 INCHES IN DIAMETER AND BULGED ABOUT 1/2 INCH OUTWARD. BECAUSE THIS CAN COMPROMISE THE SAFETY OF THE TIRE, I REQUESTED THE AUDI DEALER REPLACE THE TIRE WITH A NEW…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · October 20, 2010

BLINKING DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT. AUDI HAS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN AND WILL NOT REPAIR FOR FREE !! TERE REASONING IS IS THAT I HAVE OVER 100 K MILES. I REPORTED THIS TO THEM WHEN I HAD 62 K MILES AND THEY SAID IT NEVER BLINKED WHEN THEY TESTED IT (NOT TRUE) THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD AT NIGHT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 1, 2015 · crash

2010 Audi A6 — common questions

Is the 2010 Audi A6 reliable?

The record is thin — 24 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2010 A6 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (11 complaints), engine (5 complaints), seat belts (3 complaints).

Does the 2010 Audi A6 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Audi A6. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Audi A6 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the A6 years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2019, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2002, 2012, 2003, 2006, 2013, 2008, 2016, 1996. The cleanest record among A6 years belongs to 2024.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.