Vehicle report
2017 Audi A6
Free recalls, owner complaints, and NHTSA safety ratings for the 2017 Audi A6, plus how to check this specific vehicle before you buy.
The 2017 Audi A6 has 3 NHTSA recalls on record and 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Its overall NHTSA crash-test rating is 5 out of 5. Below is the full breakdown, plus how to check this specific vehicle by VIN before you buy in Alberta.
3
Open recalls
15
Complaints
5
Overall safety
Get the full vehicle history report
SPONSOREDAccident & damage records, liens, title brands, ownership history, and odometer verification.
Provided by our vehicle-history partner. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
2017 Audi A6 recalls (3)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
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.
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.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
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.
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.
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
2017 Audi A6 safety ratings
5
Overall
5
Front
5
Side
5
Rollover
Source: NHTSA NCAP ratings.
2017 Audi A6 owner complaints (15)
- STEERING
My power steering went out & then all of a suffen I was driving & my steering wheel would not move my wheels
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Frequent motor mounts failure, and leakage of hydraulic fluid from both left and right mounts. Motor mounts failure have occurred about three times in the last four years. After some online research and reading, found out that other newer Audi owners are having a similar issues with their mount amounts at low mileage just like myself.
- ENGINE
Engine mounts failed. They are fluid damped and the seals failed and leaked and now the motor is sitting loose in a metal on metal condition with the mounts collapsed. Additionally the manifold and timing chain cover leaks. Additionally the water pump failed. This is all on a car with <75k miles. Problems have been noted by mechanics including Audi dealership. No warning lamps except during pump failure causing engine to over heat
- STEERING
There is an issue with the power steering control module that causes a lot of error codes to populate. Many of the codes are generic and hard to diagnose, even with Audi certified diagnostic equipment/tools. When this code initially presented, ~9 months ago, there was a red steering wheel light on the dash. I found a company that repairs these modules with these specific codes (I’d imagine good business since this is a common issue); while I got power steering to work, there are codes that still recommend full replacement of the power steering module (Audi certified diagnostic equipment). This error in the module causes complete loss of power steering, with serious risk to safety of all passengers and other drivers, on and off the road. Because this module may communicate with other modules and systems, it may render other codes and faults with the abs and start/stop systems for example. I’ve taken this issue to an Audi dealer and they say I have to pay out of pocket for a whole replacement of the module and rack&pinion. I understand how to maintain a vehicle but this is a known issue for many other models/trims and years. I’ve read some reports that Audi had de-escalated this issue in other models (2012-2016) to avoid a larger number of vehicles being affected. While my vehicle is 2017, it’s out of the “covered recall” but I’m experiencing similar issues to the very same issue. PS. My car has been sitting for 9 months due to this issue.
- LANE DEPARTURE
Passengers side blind spot warning system is intermittent working. Vehicle fails to register tractor trailer and cars on a random basis. Dealer states no codes, however it won’t show codes or an issue if it isn’t aware there is a vehicle present. Offered video proof of sensor not working properly, dealer still refused to repair.
- AIR BAGS
Air bags deployed
- STEERING
The steering rack for my 2017 Audi A6 2.0T Premium Plus Quattro has failed at roughly 54000 miles. This is the same exact OEM part (OEM Part # 4G1423055EA) that is used in the 2016 A6, which has an extended warranty from Audi due to a lawsuit of 10 years and 125000 miles. My VIN is not included in this extended warranty even though the 2017 Audi A6 and 2016 Audi A6 are the same engines, use the same OEM steering rack parts, and are the same vehicle outside of minor exterior updates in the facelift model (2017). This part has failed and now I'm being charged $6323.77 by the Audi dealership to fix this issue. I am sure this is simply the same issue as it is the same exact part in the same engine. This extended warranty must include all future Audi vehicles that use the same steering rack that is problematic and was given an extended warranty to cover the replacement.
- STEERING,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
While driving my family on a major Interstate, a myriad of warning ️ lights appeared on my dash panel and my vehicle’s steering literally locked! I have had no previous warning lights or issues with this vehicle since it was purchased. This near fatal incident happened as a 18-wheeler was seeking to merge onto the Interstate and I couldn’t change lanes to allow the oncoming traffic to merge. This malfunction/failure caused me and my family to narrowly miss being fatally crushed by the merging 18-wheeler. After bringing the vehicle to a stop in a safe area off of the Interstate and locating the vehicle owner’s manual, I learned that the Electromechanical Steering Unit failed on my 2017 AUDI A6 (Mfg 6/16). Because all of the local AUDI dealerships were closed, I had to call and have the vehicle towed to my home. Upon further researching the issue in various AUDI forums, I realized this system failure was widely experienced by AUDI owners and that it may have even played a part in prompting AUDI to issue “Electromechanical Steering Unit Extended Warranty” letters to certain AUDI 2011-2016 vehicle owners (A6 owners included). I believe NHTSA should do its due diligence in seeking to reduce highway safety fatalities on our nations highways caused by vehicle safety defects/malfunctions by auto manufacturers and execute a mandate for AUDI to (1) issue a SAFETY RECALL for this issue, OR (2) extend the Electromechanical Steering Unit Warranty to include later model year vehicles. It appears that AUDI has not corrected the known issue on their own; thereby warranting NHTSAs regulatory intervention. I would like NHTSA to launch a defects/safety investigation to determine how many more AUDI owners are at risk of experiencing this life-threatening, correctable, and known issue. Please keep me informed on the results of my report.
- AIR BAGS
Had the car parked in the driveway for about a week and half. When turned it on for the first time after that period, noticed the airbag light in the odometer panel continue to be on. Checked for any airbag recalls but found none. Although no airbag recalls have been placed on this particular vehicle so far; I found an online source which states that vehicle of this year, make and model may be affected with airbag issues. Since this could be of a major safety concern, Please check and advise on how to go about this.
- ENGINE
Car overheat. Engine light on. pulled over and then drove directly to local dealer 10min away who noted engine temp control actuator faulty- stuck. Needed to replace thermostat. Dealer noted problem was noted in earlier year Audi A6 models as well but thought 2017 year did not have similar. Could not leave/drive away from dealership since they noted too dangerous with faulty thermostat/coolant/heating etc. Hoping others are not experiencing similar danger/risks…
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owns a 2017 Audi A6. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary at a stop sign, after lifting her foot off the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to slow the vehicle by depressing on the brake pedal. The contact was able to drive to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and the mechanic was able to duplicate the failure while test driving the vehicle however, there was no error codes was found. The contact had experienced the failure on multiple occasions. The contact stated she had attempted to contact the manufacturer, but no one answered the call. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
- STEERING
My 2017 Audi A6 has approximately 50,000 miles on it. I am diligent about obtaining regular maintenance on my vehicle and visited the Audi dealership in Memphis, TN for a 50,000 mile inspection and service in June of 2021. Last week, just 3 months after my 50,000 mile services/inspection, my vehicle stopped operating correctly when making a turn from stopped at a stop sign and lost all power steering. I was informed by the Audi dealership in North Miami, FL (where I am now located), that the steering rack on the vehicle is faulty. The vehicle and this component are still located at the Audi dealership in North Miami while they wait for the part to come in. I can coordinate to make it available for inspection if you would like. I am concerned that this part failed after only 50,000 miles and am particularly concerned that this poses a major safety issue. I was lucky that I was at a near stop and able to make it to safety when this component failed. Had the power steering gone out at any other time, for example, while I was in the middle of an intersection or while driving on a busy roadway, it could have resulted in a major incident. I did not have any warning signs that the power steering was about to shut down, and as mentioned, I had the vehicle inspected just 3 months earlier without any issues. It is also worth noting that Audi had a known issue with the steering rack in the 2012-2016 model years for my vehicle and offered to reimburse owners of those vehicles and warranty the steering rack to 125,000 miles. Audi has indicated to me that the steering rack in my vehicle is the same part as that used in 2016.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
I was at a stop light and automatic engine shut-off turned the vehicle off. However, when the light turned green car would not start. I had to put it in park and then turn the vehicle on/off to restart the vehicle.
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car loss power and turned off while turning at an intersection. Had to stop, place in Parking and restart the car with power switch
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING, ABS, AND ETC WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HOWEVER WAS INOPERABLE. A MESSAGE INDICATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WAS DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUDI OF RICHMOND LOCATED AT 15292 BROAD ST, HENRICO, VA 23233, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT WATER HAD BACKED UP INTO THE FIRE WALL AND DAMAGED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE PROXIMITY TO THE DRAINAGE PANEL AND THE FIRE WALL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE COMPUTER IMAGE PROCESSING MODULE AND CAMERA MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Checking a used Audi A6 before you buy
The recall, complaint, and safety data above describes the 2017 A6 in general. To know the condition and history of the specific vehicle you're looking at, check it by VIN. A VIN check shows whether this particular A6's recalls are still outstanding, and a full history report adds accident, title, and ownership records the data above can't show.
Before you buy a 2017 Audi A6 in Alberta:
- Run a free VIN check on the exact vehicle for its own recalls and safety data.
- Run an Alberta Personal Property Registry lien search so you don't inherit debt.
- Get an independent pre-purchase inspection.
- If it's a dealer, confirm their AMVIC licence.
See other model years of the Audi A6, or browse more Audi models.
2017 Audi A6 — questions and answers
Does the 2017 Audi A6 have any recalls?+
Our check found 3 NHTSA recalls associated with the 2017 Audi A6. Check the specific vehicle by VIN to see which remain outstanding, since some may already have been repaired. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.
How many complaints does the 2017 Audi A6 have?+
NHTSA lists 15 owner complaints for the 2017 Audi A6 in our results. Complaints are problems reported by owners and don't always lead to a recall, but a pattern of similar complaints is worth weighing before you buy.
Is the 2017 Audi A6 safe?+
The 2017 Audi A6 has an overall NHTSA crash-test rating of 5. Review the front-crash, side-crash, and rollover ratings above, and pair safety ratings with a mechanical inspection of the specific vehicle.
How do I check a 2017 Audi A6 VIN?+
Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN into our free VIN check to see recalls, complaints, and safety ratings for that exact vehicle, then run an Alberta Personal Property Registry (PPR) lien search before you pay.
Are recall repairs on a Audi free?+
Yes. Safety recall repairs are performed at no cost by a franchised Audi dealer, even for a used vehicle and even if you're not the original owner. Confirm the required parts are in stock before relying on the fix.
Get the full vehicle history report
SPONSOREDAccident & damage records, liens, title brands, ownership history, and odometer verification.
Provided by our vehicle-history partner. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.