Audi A6 C8 problems (2018–today)
We have documented 2 engines for the Audi A6 C8; the 3.0 TDI V6 has high or critical severity faults. The safest option is the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6, with a «Buy» verdict.[1]
Outside the engine: The Audi A6 C8 has no notable mechanical faults outside the engine: the most documented items are several recalls (rear axle, airbag, towbar, roof) and complaints about electronics and MMI.[1][2][3]
Audi A6 C8 rating: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 10 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. One of this car's engines has no documented faults in the versions it uses, but there aren't enough sources to call it reliable either, so it doesn't count towards the engine score. How it is calculated
- Engine5.23 faults
- Gearbox10.0No documented faults
- Suspension8.02 faults
- Brakes10.0No documented faults
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering10.0No documented faults
- Electrical system10.0No documented faults
- Electronics and infotainment8.61 fault
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior8.43 faults
- Airbags and safety8.61 fault
Ranked 18 of 101 among the saloons with solid evidence. See the ranking
The weak points of the Audi A6 C8
- 1High severity: Failing water pump and cooling system leaks3.0 TDI V6 engine
- 2High severity: Timing chain stretch and tensioner wear3.0 TDI V6 engine
- 3High severity: Injector wear (needle seat) and injection faults3.0 TDI V6 engine
- 4Critical severity: Rear axle arm bolt nuts with stress corrosion in the A6Suspension
- 5Critical severity: Faulty dashboard that may prevent the front passenger airbag from deploying in the Audi A6Airbags and safety
Documented engines, from highest to lowest risk
- 3.0 TDI V6since 2018 · 45 TDI · 50 TDI · 55 TDIMost serious fault:High severityVerdict:Buy
- Audi 3.0 TFSI V6since 2018 · 55 TFSI 340 CVNo faults that affect itVerdict:BuySafest option
The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines
See what to check before buyingOutside the engine
4 recalls and campaigns documented, the latest: Rear axle with incorrect toe/camber (campaign 42L5). See the campaigns for the Audi A6 C8
VW/Audi 3.0 TDI V6 (EA896 and EA897) · Diesel
- Names
- 45 TDI · 50 TDI · 55 TDI
- Faults that affect it
- 3 · all of high or critical severity
Verdict for the versions it uses
3.0 TDI EA897 evo2 (DCPC, DDVC, DDVB, DHXA, DHXC, DENA, DEWA, DEWB; 2017-2021)2017–2021 · 231–349 hp · DCPC, DDVC, DDVB, DDVE, DHXA, DHXC, DENA, DEND, DEWA, DEWB
BuyA 2024 guide to the A6 C8 reports no current complaints about camshafts or the oil pump in the EA897 family, although there is little history and it keeps the general warning that a chain failure costs several thousand euros.[1]
3.0 TDI EA897 evo3 (DMGA, DMGH, DPXA, DPXB, DMGK, DMKC, DMKD; from 2020)since 2020 · 231–344 hp · DMGA, DMGH, DMGK, DPXA, DPXB, DPYC, DPYD, DMKC, DMKD
BuyThere are no documented faults of its own in the sources consulted and the A6 C8 guide reports only positive opinions; these are young engines with little history.[1][4]
Faults that affect the A6 C8
Only those that affect the versions and years that this car used. The 3.0 TDI V6 has 7 documented faults in total.
- High severityFrequency: CommonCoolingFailing water pump and cooling system leaksOn the 3.0 TDI the water pump can fail and, from 2010, overheat to the point of damaging the engine (the A6 C6 guide cites a service action). Owners also cite coolant leaks from hoses, the regulating valve and the cooler.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming chain stretch and tensioner wearOn the 3.0 TDI V6 the timing chain is at the gearbox end and its tensioner can lose tension: it rattles on a cold start and, if the chain stretches, the timing goes out and the engine is at risk. Replacing it means opening the engine and costs several thousand euros.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionInjector wear (needle seat) and injection faultsGerman guides point to wear of the needle seat of the 3.0 TDI injectors: they stop closing properly, diesel drips into the cylinder and dilutes the oil. Smoke from the exhaust can be the warning, and reports on the 313 hp twin-turbo repeat injection faults.
A6 C8 3.0 TDI V6 pageAll versions and faults of the 3.0 TDI V6
Audi 3.0 TFSI V6
Safest optionAudi 3.0 TFSI V6 con compresor (EA837) and turbo (EA839, 3.0 and 2.9 TFSI) · Petrol
Verdict for the version it uses
3.0 TFSI turbo (EA839: CZSE, DR, CWGD; 2016 onwards)since 2016 · 330–354 hp · CZSE, DR, CWGD
BuyWe have not found any documented faults of its own in open sources; the German A6 C8 guide says this V6 has not given problems so far, although with few years of use and no high-mileage data.[1]
Faults that affect the A6 C8
None of the documented faults of the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 affects the versions and years that the A6 C8 used.
A6 C8 Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 pageAll versions and faults of the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6
Faults of the Audi A6 C8 outside the engine
Suspension, brakes, tyres, electronics and the rest of the car. They occur with any engine.
Suspension
- Critical severityFrequency: RareSuspensionRear axle arm bolt nuts with stress corrosion in the A6Audi recalled cars built between 7-11-2019 and 16-4-2021 because the nuts on the eccentric bolt of the rear axle control arm can break through stress corrosion, and the axle can move uncontrollably at high speed.
- High severityFrequency: RareSuspensionIncorrect rear axle toe and camber: uneven rear tyre wear on the A6Audi recalled cars built between 7-11-2019 and 16-4-2021 because the rear axle toe or camber could be altered, wearing the rear tyres unevenly and risking a sudden loss of pressure.
Bodywork and interior
- High severityFrequency: RareBodywork and interiorFaulty towbar locking bolt on the 2018 Audi A6A6s built between February and October 2018 with a detachable towbar were included in a campaign (66K3) because the locking mechanism might not close properly and release the trailer while driving.
- Medium severityFrequency: RareBodywork and interiorBadly bonded panoramic roof: noise and leaks in the 2018 Audi A6In the Audi A6 C8 built in 2018, the panoramic roof can creak, whistle or let water in because the bonding surface was contaminated. There was a recall, and workshops re-bond the glass.
- Medium severityFrequency: RareBodywork and interiorWater leak through the wheel arch in the Audi A6 C8Gebrauchtwagenberater says that in the A6 C8 water can enter through the wheel arch and cause a damp smell in the cabin. Audi has a service action (TPI 2032570/2), and it is worth checking the floor.
Checklist for buying a used Audi A6 C8
Check the advert or the paperwork to see which engine the car has and go through its section. Each point comes from a documented fault; you can tick them off as you inspect.
If it has the 3.0 TDI V6 (since 2018)
Failing water pump and cooling system leaks
High severityTiming chain stretch and tensioner wear
High severityInjector wear (needle seat) and injection faults
High severityBuying a Audi A6 C8?
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Own a Audi A6 C8? Tell us what faults you have had, at what mileage and how much you paid. Report your fault.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Audi A6 C8 reliable?
We have documented 2 engines for the Audi A6 C8; the 3.0 TDI V6 has high or critical severity faults. The safest option is the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6, with a «Buy» verdict. The Audi A6 C8 has no notable mechanical faults outside the engine: the most documented items are several recalls (rear axle, airbag, towbar, roof) and complaints about electronics and MMI.
Which Audi A6 C8 engine is the most reliable?
Among the 2 engines we have documented, the safest option is the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6, with a «Buy» verdict. We have not found any documented faults of its own in open sources; the German A6 C8 guide says this V6 has not given problems so far, although with few years of use and no high-mileage data.[1]
What problems does the Audi A6 C8 have apart from the engine?
The Audi A6 C8 has no notable mechanical faults outside the engine: the most documented items are several recalls (rear axle, airbag, towbar, roof) and complaints about electronics and MMI. The most important documented faults are: rear axle arm bolt nuts with stress corrosion in the A6 (suspension, critical severity), faulty dashboard that may prevent the front passenger airbag from deploying in the Audi A6 (airbags and safety, critical severity), MMI multimedia system and driver assistance faults in the Audi A6 C8 (electronics and infotainment, medium severity) and incorrect rear axle toe and camber: uneven rear tyre wear on the A6 (suspension, high severity).[1][2][3]
What faults does the Audi A6 C8 have?
The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: failing water pump and cooling system leaks (3.0 TDI V6, high severity), timing chain stretch and tensioner wear (3.0 TDI V6, high severity) and injector wear (needle seat) and injection faults (3.0 TDI V6, high severity).
What is the best year to buy a Audi A6 C8?
According to our rating by year, the best are 2026, 2025, 2024 and 2 other years with the same rating (6.7/10); the worst rated is 2019 (6.3/10). Each year's rating counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those units: open each year to see what changes.
Does the Audi A6 C8 have recalls?
Yes: we have documented 4 campaigns for the Audi A6 C8, such as rear axle with incorrect toe/camber (campaign 42L5) (2022). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Audi A6 C8: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
- Audi A6 ProblemeCarwiki.de · Motoring press · consulted 29 October 2026 · in German
- Alerta INFO/00138/21 – brazo del eje traseroEU Safety Gate (Rapex) · Official body · consulted 29 October 2026
- VW EA897Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
- List of Volkswagen Group petrol engines (EA837 y EA839)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
- Fiabilité Audi A6 (2011-2018) (106 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 9 October 2026 · in French
- Tous les problèmes sur Audi Q5 2008-2017 (322 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 9 October 2026 · in French
- Audi A6 C6 (4F): Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 9 September 2022 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
- 3.0 TDI: Viele Probleme, teure WartungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 28 January 2023 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
- VW Touareg 3.0 TDI – typische Probleme und ODIS-DiagnoseKFZ Dietrich (taller, Hardegsen) · Other source · published 22 April 2026 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
- VW EA896Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
- Audi A5 8T (B8): Probleme, Schwachstellen & KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 20 January 2022 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German