Is the 2018 Audi A6 reliable?

The 2018 Audi A6 has 16 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: excellent. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Audi A6?

Top problems: ENGINE (7 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (4 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (2 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Audi A6?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION. Contact any Audi dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Audi A6?

The 2018 Audi A6 gets 28 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1714. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Audi A6?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Audi A6 is approximately $2,014/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.

2018 Audi A6

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2018 Audi A6 has 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.6x the segment average of 28. The most common issue is engine problems (44% of all complaints), specifically: when making a u-turn after completing the turn portion the car fails to accelerate. it is as if the vehicle can't figure out what it is supposed to do. the failure is for a short time but absolutely nothing happens when the accelerator is pushed then suddenly the vehicle again accelerates. this ha. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 6)

ENGINE

7 complaints

44%

• WHEN MAKING A U-TURN AFTER COMPLETING THE TURN PORTION THE CAR FAILS TO ACCELERATE. IT IS AS IF THE VEHICLE CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO DO. THE FAILURE IS FOR A SHORT TIME BUT ABSOLUTELY NOTHING HAPPENS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PUSHED THEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE AGAIN ACCELERATES. THIS HA
• AT SLOW SPEED AND PARTICULARLY WHEN STARTING FROM STATIONARY, SUCH AS STOPPED TO WAIT TO TURN LEFT, THE CAR STALLS FOR 2-3 SECONDS, SUGGESTING THAT IT ISN'T GETTING FUEL. ONCE MOVING, THE CAR RUNS FINE. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE AUDI DEALER TWICE. THE PROBLEM REMAINS. THE CAR ONLY HAS 14,800 M
• 2018 Audi A6 3.0T, VIN [XXX] At 38,637 miles, Audi dealership diagnosed that vehicle requires water pump replacement due to water pump failure, causing vehicle to leak coolant. The vehicle has previously displayed a low coolant warning light prior to water pump failure diagnosis. My research has

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHEN MAKING A U-TURN AFTER COMPLETING THE TURN PORTION THE CAR FAILS TO ACCELERATE. IT IS AS IF THE VEHICLE CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO DO. THE FAILURE IS FOR A SHORT TIME BUT ABSOLUTELY NOTHING HAPPENS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PUSHED THEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE AGAIN ACCELERATES. THIS HA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (2)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL16/01/2019

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.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Audi A6

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,715

Per month

$143

Per mile

14.3¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,920/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,412/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 2018 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

$2,014

Full coverage / month

$168

Liability only / year

$668

vs US avg

+20%

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 rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$2014

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 2018 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

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 16 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: WHEN MAKING A U-TURN AFTER COMPLETING THE TURN PORTION THE CAR FAILS TO ACCELERATE. IT IS AS IF THE VEHICLE CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO DO. THE FAILURE IS FOR A SHORT TIME BUT ABSOLUTELY NOTHING HAPPENS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PUSHED THEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE AGAIN ACCELERATES. THIS HA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: WHEN MAKING A U-TURN AFTER COMPLETING THE TURN PORTION THE CAR FAILS TO ACCELERATE. IT IS AS IF THE VEHICLE CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO DO. THE FAILURE IS FOR A SHORT TIME BUT ABSOLUTELY NOTHING HAPPENS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PUSHED THEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE AGAIN ACCELERATES. THIS HA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: While driving at 60mph on the freeway, the glass sunroof on my 2018 Audi A6 randomly exploded/shattered. Glass shards flew into the cabin. There was no apparent “rock” or outside influence on the glass to cause it to shatter. The remaining glass remnants on the sunroof were angled up as if to sug
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: WHEN MAKING A U-TURN AFTER COMPLETING THE TURN PORTION THE CAR FAILS TO ACCELERATE. IT IS AS IF THE VEHICLE CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO DO. THE FAILURE IS FOR A SHORT TIME BUT ABSOLUTELY NOTHING HAPPENS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PUSHED THEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE AGAIN ACCELERATES. THIS HA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Audi dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)