Is the 2011 Audi A6 reliable?

The 2011 Audi A6 has 26 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.9x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Audi A6?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (12 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (3 complaints, avg repair $500); SEATS/RESTRAINTS (3 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Audi A6?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Contact any Audi dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Audi A6?

The 2011 Audi A6 gets 24 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2000. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Audi A6?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Audi A6 is approximately $1,821/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2011 Audi A6

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Audi A6 has 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.9x the segment average of 28. The most common issue is air bags problems (46% of all complaints), specifically: tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2011 audi a6. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v382000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was notified of th. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year.

1 crash report 1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

12 complaints

46%

• TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF TH
• "TAKATA RECALL" AUDI NOTIFIED US IN JULY. A CALL TO AUDI'S 800 # RESULTED IN NO INFORMATION AS TO WHEN REPAIRS WILL BE MADE. CAN SOMEONE GIVE US THE DATE WHEN PARTS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE DEALER TO MAKE NECESSARY REPAIRS? IS THERE A DIFFERENT MANUFACTURE'S PRODUCT THAT AUDI COULD INSTALL TO R
• RECALL HAS NOT BEEN PERFORMED-RECALL 6902. NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE FROM COMPANY. NHTSA# 26V382. CAN'T SELL IT. AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. PASSENGERS DEAD OR INJURED COULD SUE ALL. NEEDS RESOLUTION IMMEDIATELY.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF TH”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (3)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE22/06/2018

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.

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

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Audi A6

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,001

Per month

$167

Per mile

16.7¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,286/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,600/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Audi A6

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,821

Full coverage / month

$152

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+9%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1821

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Audi A6 Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

40K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

40K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

40K mi

Long-interval service (LongLife) uses fully-synthetic oil. Some engines have timing belts (check owner's manual).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Audi New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

12 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

Corrosion coverage is unlimited miles for 12 years

These are the terms for a new Audi. If you're buying a used 2011 A6, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Audi dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 26 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF TH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: AUDI A8 2011 - ISSUE REGARDING ON/OFF SWITCH WE HAVE A NEW A8. THE ON/OFF SWITCH IS NEXT TO THE GEAR SHIFT LEVEL ON THE CONSOLE BETWEEN THE FRONT SEATS. OUR DOG - A 16 LB BICHON - CLIMBED BETWEEN THE SEATS FROM THE BACK TO SIT ON THE PASSENGER SEAT. AS THE DOG CROSSED THE CENTER CONSOLE HE STEP
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SEATS/RESTRAINTS: REAR SEATBACKS (RIGID PLASTIC) IS OPEN AT THE TOP ON PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE SEATS. THIS IS AN AUDI DESIGN DEFECT AND SAFETY CONCERN TO REAR SEAT PASSENGERS IN AN ACCIDENT. VELCRO ADHESIVE DOES NOT WORK. THE CONNECTORS AT THE TOP WERE EITHER MISSING OR NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: AUDI 2011 A6, VIN [XXX] HAD A CATASTROPHIC STEERING FAILURE ON FEB 24, 2016. FORTUNATELY THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE FRONT WHEELS AND STEERING WHEEL FROZE. AUDI AND THE LOCAL DEALER DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AS A RANDOM FAILURE OF THE STEERING RACK WHICH THEY REPLACED. IF THI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Audi dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)