2011 Audi A6 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
57,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 21 complaints (57.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 9.5% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 9.5% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 9.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 12 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Seats | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Air Bags: 12; Electrical System: 3; Seats: 3; Engine: 2; Equipment: 1; Power Train: 1; Steering: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 14 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2016: 7; 2017: 4; 2018: 4; 2020: 1; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10496598 · 2013-02-06 (February 6, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON A HILL OF MORE THAN 30 DEGREES, THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD 3-5 FEET WHEN GOING INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD 10 FEET, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT DOWN TO PROTECT THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WOULD NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000. UPDATED 03/12/13*LJ
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10496598 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11744229 · 2026-06-15 (June 15, 2026)
The car throw a EPC warning light which cause the car to go n limp mode. With doing research ot has to do with the transmission. This cause the car to drive sluggish unable to reverse at times unable to take the car out of park at times. It also cause the car to randomly shut off when reversing or at times when im sitting at a light n i begin to drive the car can randomly shut off at times. Which in my open is unsafe because what if the the person behind me isnt payimg attention and i get rear ended. Ive reached out to Audi dearlership is was t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11744229 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10386686 · 2011-03-07 (March 7, 2011)
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 STEPPED ON THE ON/OFF BUTTON SHUTTING OFF THE CAR WHICH CAUSED A LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES. MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS SHE WAS ON A LOCAL ROAD AND NOT GOING FAST BUT IF SHE HAD BEEN TRYING TO TURN OR IF SHE HAD BEEN ON A ROAD W…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10386686 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11717713 · 2026-02-13 (February 13, 2026)
2011 Audi A6 seems to be overlooked compared to the rest of the Audi’s yet the Audi has so many different issues such as timing chain such as water pump, such as brake issues, such as rack pinion yet there hasn’t been anyone investigating this in particular make a model it needs to be done for safety reasons. Additionally, I was never contacted for the airbags cars registered DMV and nobody has bothered to inform me of the New airbag issues. What other issues are there brought to one’s attention?
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11717713 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10839131 · 2016-03-01 (March 1, 2016)
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 THIS STEERING FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON THE ROAD AT ANY SPEED SERIOUS DAMAGE AND INJURY INCLUDING LOSS OF LIFE COULD HAVE OCCURRED. AUDI REFUSED THE RETURN THE FAILED STEERING RACK TO ME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10839131 at NHTSA ↗