Audi A6 C7
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
605 PS
4.0L TFSI V8 BiTurbo Benzin
560 hp super wagon — the RS6 everyone wants
Legendary!190–192 PS
1.8L TFSI Benzin
6 weaknesses
Good Choice605 PS
4.0L TFSI V8 BiTurbo Benzin
10 weaknesses
Stay Away!Body Variants
The Audi A6 C7 is available as Limousine and Avant — choose your body type for specific insurance data:
Generations
Engine Overview
The Audi A6 C7 is available with 11 engine variants — from 163 to 605 hp. 5 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.
The Audi 2.0L TDI (Diesel, 163–190 PS) comes with 3 different engines: CGLC (2011–2014, Stay Away!) und CMGB (2014–2018, Be Careful) und CSUB (2014–2018, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 2.0L TDI!
The Audi 3.0L TDI V6 (Diesel, 190–272 PS) comes with 5 different engines: CDUC (2011–2014, Be Careful) und CLAA (2011–2014, Be Careful) und CKNB (2011–2018, Stay Away!) und CZVA (2014–2018, Be Careful) und CRTE (2014–2018, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 3.0L TDI V6!
The Audi 3.0L TDI V6 BiTurbo (Diesel, 313–320 PS) has the CGQB (3.0L TDI V6 BiTurbo) — rated: "Stay Away!", 6 known weaknesses.
The Audi 1.8L TFSI (Benziner, 190 PS) has the CYJA (1.8L TFSI) — rated: "Good Choice", 6 known weaknesses.
The Audi 2.0L TFSI (Benziner, 179–252 PS) comes with 3 different engines: CDNB (2011–2018, Be Careful) und CNCD (2014–2018, Be Careful) und CYRB (2015–2018, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 2.0L TFSI!
The Audi 2.8L FSI V6 (Benziner, 204 PS) has the CHVA (2.8L FSI V6) — rated: "Be Careful", 5 known weaknesses.
The Audi 3.0L TFSI V6 (Benziner, 299–340 PS) comes with 3 different engines: CGWB (2011–2014, Be Careful) und CEUC (2011–2014, Be Careful) und CTUA (2014–2018, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 3.0L TFSI V6!
The Audi RS6 Avant (Benziner, 560 PS) has the CWUB (4.0L TFSI V8 BiTurbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 10 known weaknesses.
The Audi RS6 Avant Performance (Benziner, 605 PS) has the CRDB (4.0L TFSI V8 BiTurbo) — rated: "Stay Away!", 10 known weaknesses.
The Audi S6 (Benziner, 420–450 PS) comes with 2 different engines: CTGA (2012–2018, Be Careful) und CTGB (2012–2018, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the S6!
The Audi S6 Avant (Benziner, 420 PS) has the CTGA (4.0L TFSI V8 BiTurbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 10 known weaknesses.
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| AAS Air Suspension Failure The optional air suspension (AAS) is prone to failure through porous air bellows and defective compressors. Repair costs of 600–1,800 EUR per corner are possible. Symptoms: Vehicle hangs low on one side, 'Suspension: Fault' warning in instrument cluster, rough ride from 80,000 km | Medium | |
| Wheel Bearings Wearing Prematurely Wheel bearings, particularly at the rear axle, show increased wear at higher mileages. Regularly flagged on vehicles from 80,000 km. Symptoms: Humming or droning at constant speed, noise changes when changing lanes from 85,000 km | Medium | |
| Engine Mounts Prematurely Worn On V6 and V8 engines, engine mounts often wear from around 50,000 km, causing noticeable vibrations. Symptoms: Vibrations in cabin at idle, droning when accelerating, noticeable engine roughness from 60,000 km | Medium |
Top Reported Issues
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Known Problems and Issues
A total of 145 weaknesses have been documented for the Audi A6 C7 (2011–2018) — 136 engine-related and 9 vehicle-related. 4 problem engines: CGLC (2.0L TDI), CGQB (3.0L TDI V6 BiTurbo), CRDB (4.0L TFSI V8 BiTurbo), CKNB (3.0L TDI V6). Typical issues affect Suspension, Electronics, HVAC, Rust. Considered reliable: CYJA (1.8L TFSI).
A6 (CGLC, 2011–2014) — Stay Away!: Injector failures after EA189 software update, Oil Pressure Drop at Hot Idle — Bearing Damage, EGR valve coked and blocked. Power: 163–170 PS.
A6 (CDUC, 2011–2014) — Be Careful: Timing Chain Rattle on Cold Start, Camshaft Material Defect (272 hp Variants), Turbocharger Oil Loss / Leaking Oil Lines. Power: 204–211 PS.
A6 (CLAA, 2011–2014) — Be Careful: Camshaft fracture — material defect, Timing chain elongation, High-pressure pump debris in fuel system. Power: 239–245 PS.
A6 (CGQB, 2011–2014) — Stay Away!: Exhaust Manifold Particles Damage High-Pressure Turbo, Camshaft Material Defect (EA897), Timing Chain 1.2 TFSI EA111 — Early Failure. Power: 313–320 PS.
A6 (CKNB, 2011–2018) — Stay Away!: Camshaft fracture from material defect, Timing chain elongation, Turbocharger wear and bearing damage. Power: 190 PS.
A6 (CMGB, 2014–2018) — Be Careful: Water pump failure — up to September 2014, EGR valve and intake system coked up, Particulate filter clogging from short trips. Power: 177 PS.
A6 (CSUB, 2014–2018) — Be Careful: Camshaft Fracture from Material Defect, EGR System and Intake Tract Coked Up, Particulate Filter Clogged by Short-Trip Use. Power: 190 PS.
A6 (CZVA, 2014–2018) — Be Careful: Camshaft wear — material defect, Four-chain timing system elongation, EGR valve coking — V6 TDI. Power: 211–218 PS.
A6 (CRTE, 2014–2018) — Be Careful: Camshaft Material Defect (CRT/CZV), Timing Chain Stretch — Four Chains, Engine Damage from Low Oil Pressure (EA897evo). Power: 272 PS.
A6 (CDNB, 2011–2018) — Be Careful: Timing Chain Stretch and Tensioner Failure, Oil Consumption Due to Undersized Oil Scraper Rings, Diverter Valve and Turbo Wear. Power: 179 PS.
A6 (CHVA, 2011–2018) — Be Careful: Timing Chain Stretched (Gearbox Side), Intake Valve Carbon Buildup, Elevated Oil Consumption. Power: 204 PS.
A6 (CGWB, 2011–2014) — Be Careful: Internal Supercharger Intercooler Leaking, Chain Tensioner Rattle on Cold Start, Coolant Pump and Thermostat Failure. Power: 310 PS.
A6 (CEUC, 2011–2014) — Be Careful: Internal Intercooler Leaking, Chain Tensioner Rattle on Cold Start, Coolant Pump Failure at High Mileage. Power: 299 PS.
A6 (CTGA, 2012–2018) — Be Careful: Recall 21H7 — Oil Strainer Turbocharger Supply, Timing Chain Stretch — V8 BiTurbo, High-Pressure Fuel Pump — Wear. Power: 420 PS.
A6 (CTGB, 2012–2018) — Be Careful: Turbocharger Damage from Insufficient Lubrication, Cylinder Bore Coating Damage, S-Tronic DCT as the Weak Point. Power: 450 PS.
A6 (CWUB, 2013–2018) — Be Careful: Recall 21H7 — oil strainer blocks turbo supply, Camshaft wear — head and shaft as a unit, Timing chain stretched — V8 chain drive. Power: 560 PS.
A6 (CNCD, 2014–2018) — Be Careful: Oil Pump Delivers Insufficient Pressure at Idle, Chain Stretch and Tensioner Failure, Hydraulic Chain Tensioners Lose Oil Pressure. Power: 220 PS.
A6 (CTUA, 2014–2018) — Be Careful: Internal Intercooler Leaking, Chain Tensioner Rattle on Cold Start, Coolant Pump Failure. Power: 333–340 PS.
A6 (CYRB, 2015–2018) — Be Careful: Oil pump — pressure deficit at idle, Recall: belt starter-generator fire risk, Timing chain — cold-start rattle from pressure drop. Power: 245–252 PS.
A6 (CRDB, 2015–2018) — Stay Away!: Turbocharger Bearing Failure from Oil Starvation, Recall: Turbocharger Oil Strainer Too Fine, Camshaft Wear-In. Power: 605 PS.
What to watch out for with the Audi A6? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee