Buyer Research

2017 Audi A6 — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $22,000–$32,000. There is 1 high-severity known issue you need to know before handing over a check.

Kestrel Take

A handsome, understated luxury sedan with a beautiful interior and standard Quattro AWD — the A6 (2.0T or 3.0T supercharged) feels solid and refined. It's a used Audi, so budget for carbon, cooling, and (on the 3.0T) supercharger-related service. A documented A6 with full history is a classy, capable car; a cheap neglected one is a risk. Buy on records, verify the specific engine's health, and keep a repair fund.

What we checked

Reconciled against public records, 2026-09-11

NHTSA holds 20 owner complaints for the 2017 Audi A6, across 3 recall campaigns.

A big number here usually means a lot of these were sold, not that it is a bad vehicle — popular models collect more complaints for the same rate of trouble. So the total on its own says little. What is worth reading is the shape of it. 30% of them are about one thing — airbags. That much concentration is a genuine pattern rather than background noise, and it is the first thing to check on any example you look at.

3 recall campaigns cover this model year. Recalls are repaired free, for any owner, with no time limit on most safety campaigns — but only if someone books it in. Ask the seller to show it was done, or have any dealer check the VIN; it takes them a couple of minutes and costs nothing.

Looked at and set aside: airbags (6) — 6 airbag complaints on file, almost always a recall matter rather than a repair bill; have a dealer check this VIN for open airbag campaigns and confirm any were performed.

Counts come from the NHTSA complaint and recall database — free, public, and worth checking yourself.

Known Issues for the 2017 Audi A6

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.

3.0T supercharger / cooling (if equipped)Medium

The supercharged V6 can have cooling and supercharger-related issues; verify service and check for leaks. The 2.0T is simpler.

Repair cost (estimate): $300-$2,500

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (4).

Carbon buildup / oil consumptionMedium

DI engines carbon up and some consume oil; verify service and check oil level.

Repair cost (estimate): $300-$1,200

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (4).

Electronics / MMI quirksLow

MMI and electronics can glitch; verify all systems.

Repair cost (estimate): $100-$800

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under electrics and electronics (2).

Expensive service / consumablesLow

Audi service costs more; budget accordingly.

Repair cost: Not yet priced

Source: not yet checked against public records.

Electric power steering unit failure ('steering fault' warning)High — wallet impact

Same electromechanical steering rack as the 2011–2016 A6, which can develop a moisture-related fault in the control module and throw a 'steering fault' warning with heavy or briefly unresponsive steering. Audi's extended warranty program for this part covered 2011–2016 models — the 2017 A6 falls just outside it, so owners have had to pay for the repair themselves or push Audi for goodwill coverage. Ask the seller if this has come up and whether Audi covered any of it.

Repair cost (estimate): $1,500–$2,600

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under steering (5).

Walk-Away Red Flags

✗No service history
✗Oil consumption / coolant loss
✗Electronics faults
✗Neglected carbon service

Good Signs

✓Full documented Audi service
✓Steady oil, no leaks
✓Quattro working, all electronics functional

Found a specific Audi A6?

This page covers what goes wrong on the 2017 Audi A6 in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.

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Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for this year. It stops short of the verdict, because that needs the photos.

Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.