2013 Audi A6 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
52 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
60,936 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 28 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 52 complaints (32.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 9 | 17.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 13.5% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 5.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 3.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.8% |
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 | 17 |
| Engine | 15 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 |
| Steering | 7 |
| Seats | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
Air Bags: 17; Engine: 15; Unknown Or Other: 8; Electrical System: 7; Fuel/Propulsion System: 7; Steering: 7; Seats: 3; Power Train: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 24 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 |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 21 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 4; 2016: 3; 2017: 3; 2018: 21; 2019: 3; 2020: 6; 2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 3; 2024: 1; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 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 10644104 · 2014-10-11 (October 11, 2014)
I WAS ENTERING MY GARAGE AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. I SLAMMED INTO ANY FRONT WALL DOING LOTS OF DAMAGE TO THE STRUCTURES IN AND OUT AS WELL AS TO MY BODY. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. MY FIRST ACCIDENT EVER AND THE SCARIEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE. I HAVE HAD PRIOR ACCELERATION/DECELERATION ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. ON AT LEAST 6 OCCASIONS, I WAS GOING DOWNHILL APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND THE CAR SEEMED TO STOP RESPONDING (STEERING, BRAKING, ENGINE) AND YET THE RPM'S WERE GONG HIGHER AND THE ENGINE WAS RACING. VERY FRIGHTENING SINCE YOU DID NOT KNOW WHAT …
Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10644104 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10671338 · 2015-01-09 (January 9, 2015)
STEERING FEELS LOOSE-HARD TO KEEP THE CAR GOING STRAIGHT.AUDI PERFORMED SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR THE STEERING-SAME PROBLEM STILL EXIST-MOST NOTICEABLE IN COLD WEATHER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10671338 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10838469 · 2016-02-25 (February 25, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A6. WHILE BACKING THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO TURN. THE CONTACT PULLED BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY, TURNED OFF, AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. A "DO NOT DRIVE VEHICLE STEERING FAILURE" WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND CALLED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL MECHANICAL POWER STEERING MODULE FAILED. THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE AND THE STEERING GEA…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10838469 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11033170 · 2017-10-13 (October 13, 2017)
WHEN I WAS DRIVING, WE SMELLED BURNING OF RUBBER BUT THOUGHT THAT IT MUST BE FROM OUTSIDE. HOWEVER AFTER DRIVING OF ANOTHER 3-4 MILES, SUDDENLY SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM AIR VENT MAINLY ON DRIVER AND WINDSHIELD SIDE INSIDE OF CABIN. I STOPPED CAR AND TURNED OFF. I TOOK IT TO NEARBY GARAGE AND THEY CHECKED ANY LEAKAGE OF FLUID THAT CAN CAUSE BURNING BUT CAN'T FIND IT WHICH INDICATES THAT PROBLEM OF SHORT CIRCUIT AND MAY NEED TO RESEARCH MORE. IN THE NIGHT, WHEN I TRIED TO TURN CABIN LIGHTS ON, IT DIDN'T WORK WHICH NOW CLEARLY SHOWS THAT IT'…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11033170 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11150834 · 2018-11-11 (November 11, 2018)
VACUUM PUMP OIL LEAK (06J145100G). 76K MI, FOUND VIA MULTI POINT INSPECTION ON 10/25/18 (AUDI OF HONOLULU). VEHICLE PROD DATE: 07/2012, ENGINE CODE: CAEB, TRANSMISSION: 0BK, QUATTRO AWD. THE VACUUM PUMP, LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE IS LEAKING MOTOR OIL. EITHER THE INTERNAL SEALS OF THE PUMP OR GASKET IS FAULTY. MOTOR OIL IS LEAKING ONTO THE EXHAUST, TRANSMISSION, FIREWALL INSULATION, ENGINE BELLY PAN, TRANSMISSION MOUNTS/CROSSMEMBER, TRANSMISSION BELLY PAN, AND LOWER REAR OF ENGINE. UNDER MODERATE BRAKING, WHITE SMOKE WOULD APPEAR…
Owner-reported narrative. 76,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11150834 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11360807 · 2020-09-23 (September 23, 2020)
I OWN A 2013 AUDI A6 AROUND 77K MILES. I GOT THE CEL AND BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER. THERE IS AN INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COOLANT VALUE THAT IS PART OF THE COOLING SYSTEM AND OBVIOUSLY, THAT COMPONENT ALSO HELPS KEEP THE TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE IN CHECK. THE ISSUE WITH THIS DEFECTIVE PART IS THE VALVE MALFUNCTIONS CAUSING COOLANT TO PENETRATE THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AND FROM THERE INTO THE WIRING HARNESS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, IT IS A CATASTROPHIC MALFUNCTION OF THOSE COMPONENTS AND A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. WATER AND ELECTRICAL DO NOT MIX WE…
Owner-reported narrative. 77,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11360807 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11139375 · 2018-10-10 (October 10, 2018)
START SMELLING GASOLINE AND EVERY DAY WAS WORSE. I BRING THE A6 FOR THE RECALL BUT I JUST REALIZE THAT AUDI DID THE 20AR BUT I REMEMBER PRIOR TO THIS RECALL THE CAR HAD THE 24BZ . I TRIED TO CALL THEM AND MY VIM SOES NOY SHOW FOR THIS RECALL . THE A6 IS WITH AUDI LIVERMORE THEY WANT ME TO PAY TO UNMOUNT THE GAS TANK TO PROCEDURE WITH A DIAGNOSTIC. I JUST KNOW THAT MY CAR IS LEAKING GAS AND NO RESPONSE THAT WHY TGIS HAPPEND THE CAR OR THE TANK HASN'T RECEIVED A DAMAGED AT ALL SO HOW THIS HAPPEND . OTHER OPTION THAT AUDI WANT IS CHARGE 3500 FOR…
Owner-reported narrative. 84,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11139375 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11320634 · 2020-04-09 (April 9, 2020)
STRONG GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE THE CAR WHILE BEING DRIVEN AND WHILE PARKED INSIDE MY GARAGE RESULTING FROM FUEL PUMP LEAK. ODOR IS WORSE WHEN FUEL TANK IS FULL.
Owner-reported narrative. 71,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11320634 at NHTSA ↗