2020 Audi A6 problems
The 2020 Audi A6 was sold with 2 engines that we have documented: the 3.0 TDI V6 and the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6. The 3.0 TDI V6 has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 (verdict “Buy”). Outside the engine, 5 documented faults affect 2020 cars, such as rear axle arm bolt nuts with stress corrosion in the A6.
2020 Audi A6 score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 8 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
- Suspension7.72 faults and ITV (technical inspection)
- Brakes8.7Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.5 times the defects normal for its age
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering8.1Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.8 times the defects normal for its age
- Electrical system10.0No documented faults
- Headlights and lights8.5Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.6 times the defects normal for its age
- Electronics and infotainment8.61 fault
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior8.31 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Airbags and safety8.61 fault
What changes compared with the 2019 Audi A6
The same engines and the same documented faults as in 2019.
3.0 TDI V6 engine in the 2020 Audi A6
Names: 45 TDI · 50 TDI · 55 TDI
- Buy
3.0 TDI EA897 evo2 (DCPC, DDVC, DDVB, DHXA, DHXC, DENA, DEWA, DEWB; 2017-2021)
231–349 hp · DCPC, DDVC, DDVB, DDVE, DHXA, DHXC, DENA, DEND, DEWA, DEWB
A 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.[2]
- Buy
3.0 TDI EA897 evo3 (DMGA, DMGH, DPXA, DPXB, DMGK, DMKC, DMKD; from 2020)
231–344 hp · DMGA, DMGH, DMGK, DPXA, DPXB, DPYC, DPYD, DMKC, DMKD
There 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][2]
Faults that affect 2020 cars
- 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.
Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 engine in the 2020 Audi A6
Names: 55 TFSI 340 CV
- Buy
3.0 TFSI turbo (EA839: CZSE, DR, CWGD; 2016 onwards)
330–354 hp · CZSE, DR, CWGD
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.[2]
There are no documented Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 faults that affect 2020 cars.
The Audi A6 C8 Audi 3.0 TFSI V6: all its faults and what to checkFaults outside the engine in the 2020 Audi A6
- 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.
- Critical severityFrequency: RareAirbags and safetyFaulty dashboard that may prevent the front passenger airbag from deploying in the Audi A6Audi recalled 10,300 A6s and A7s built between 12-2017 and 12-2020 because a manufacturing defect in the dashboard could prevent the passenger airbag from deploying correctly and release plastic parts.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronics and infotainmentMMI multimedia system and driver assistance faults in the Audi A6 C8Gebrauchtwagenberater and Carwiki report faults with the MMI (freezing, deleted favourites), with adaptive cruise control ('not available') and with emergency braking that is too sensitive. Some cases required a workshop visit.
- 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.
- 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2020 Audi A6 reliable?
The 2020 Audi A6 was sold with 2 engines that we have documented: the 3.0 TDI V6 and the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6. The 3.0 TDI V6 has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 (verdict “Buy”). Outside the engine, 5 documented faults affect 2020 cars, such as rear axle arm bolt nuts with stress corrosion in the A6.
Is the 2020 Audi A6 better than the 2019?
Going by the documented faults, they are the same: the same engines and the same faults affect the 2019 and 2020 cars. Choose on condition, mileage and maintenance history.
What is the best year for the Audi A6?
According to our score, the best are 2026, 2025, 2024 and 2 other years with the same score (6.7/10). The year with the worst score is 2018 (6.5/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2020 Audi A6 have?
The most important ones documented for 2020 cars 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), 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).
Own a 2020 Audi A6? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- VW EA897Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
- Audi A6 C8 (4K): Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 7 September 2024 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
- List of Volkswagen Group petrol engines (EA837 y EA839)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026