Audi S6 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
132 owner complaints analyzed
21 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1992 to 2025 model years. Data snapshot: . 67 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 70 of 132 complaints (53.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 22 | 16.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 7.6% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 7.6% |
| Braking behavior | 9 | 6.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 4.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 4.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 70 |
| Power Train | 15 |
| Electrical System | 14 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 11 |
| Unknown Or Other | 10 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 7 |
| Steering | 7 |
| Suspension | 7 |
Engine: 70; Power Train: 15; Electrical System: 14; Fuel/Propulsion System: 11; Unknown Or Other: 10; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery: 7; Steering: 7; Suspension: 7
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 | 11 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 29 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 11; 50,000 to 74,999: 29; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (29). 65 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 10 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 16 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 35 |
| 2022 | 17 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2000: 10; 2001: 1; 2002: 2; 2003: 1; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2009: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 3; 2016: 2; 2017: 3; 2018: 4; 2019: 16; 2020: 8; 2021: 35; 2022: 17; 2023: 6; 2024: 4; 2025: 6; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 22 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 10 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 10 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 11091979 · 2018-05-04 (May 4, 2018)
CAR SUDDENLY HAD A "ROUGH IDLE", I.E. SHAKING 1-2INCHES BACK-AND-FORTH WHILE IN IDLE, AFTER DRIVING FOR 20 MINUTES AT NORMAL CONDITIONS. SHUTDOWN CAR. ATTEMPTED TO RESTART CAR, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURNOVER THE FIRST ATTEMPT. TRIED AGAIN - ENGINE STARTED THE SECOND TIME. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED, SO I ASSUMED CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. DROVE CAR TO DEALER FOR SERVICE, AND THEN I NOTED THAT THE CAR STARTED MAKING A FEINT GRINDING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. TECHNICIAN NOTED THAT BOTH TURBOCHARGERS HAD FAILED, LIKELY DUE TO INADEQUATE O…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11091979 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11093581 · 2018-05-13 (May 13, 2018)
FAILED TURBOS CAUSING ENGINE TO RUN RICH AND STALL OUT AT ANY STOPS MAKING THE CAR INOPERABLE AT LOW SPEEDS. MANY REPORTS OF MY2013-2016 AUDI S SERIES TURBOS FAILING/BLOWING OUT. TSB ISSUED FOR SUCH ISSUE BUT NO RECALL. AUDI OF AMERICA REPLACING WITH MY2017 TURBOS THAT HAVE ALL NEW PARTS NUMBERS SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MY2013-2016 TURBOS.
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11093581 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051516 · 2004-01-02 (January 2, 2004)
DANGEROUS RANDOM LOSS OF THROTTLE RESPONSIVENESS; ERRATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT FUNCTION . *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10051516 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11280475 · 2019-11-16 (November 16, 2019)
TRANSMISSION COOLANT VALVE FAILURE. AUDI HAS ISSUED TSB FOR SEVERAL MODELS RELATED TO SAME FAILURE MODE. COOLANT SPRAYS FROM COOLANT VALVE ONTO ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS INTERNAL TO TRANSMISSION CAUSING CORROSION WITHIN THE CONNECTORS. TWO FAULT MODES. 1. VEHICLE FAILS TO START AS VEHICLE DOESN'T KNOW TRANSMISSION CONDITION (NEUTRAL, PARK OR OTHERWISE). 2. IF YOU CAN GET IT TO START - VEHICLE IS IN LIMP MODE SERVICE 2WKS TO REPLACE FAILED VALVE AND REPAIR CORRODED ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS WITHIN TRANSMISSION
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11280475 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10876389 · 2016-06-24 (June 24, 2016)
I AM HAVING A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH MY CAR AND IT SEEMS LIKE AUDI OF AMERICA (AOA) DOES NOT SEEM TO REALLY CARE. IT ALL STARTED IN AUG 2015 AND A BUNCH OF FAULT CODES CAME ONE. THE SECOND TIME, I BELIEVE, WAS JAN 2016 AND I WAS DRIVING ON I-95 AND SUDDENLY ABOUT 5 FAULT CODES SHOWED UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH IN THE MIDDLE LANE. THE CAR'S STEERING STIFFENED UP AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS NEXT TO ME AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SHOULDER. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR CATASTROPHE IF I WAS NOT ABLE…
Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10876389 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11645758 · 2025-03-01 (March 1, 2025)
Was just driving down the highway at normal speed and my car lost all power, every like came up on the dash and disabled my power steering causing me to almost crash. Took it to the shop mechanic tells me the turbos failed due to oil screen and it will cost me $8,000 Not sure why they failed I have amazing service records on my car. This needs to be a recall.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11645758 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10394594 · 2011-03-30 (March 30, 2011)
I HAD THE CAR JACKED UP USING THE AUDI SUPPLIED JACK ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. I HAD REMOVED THE TIRE AND WAS REPLACING FRONT BRAKE PADS. THE JACK SUDDENLY COLLAPSED. THE JACK HAD COME APART DUE TO THE FAILURE OF A PLASTIC PART THAT OPERATES AS A HINGE POINT. I FEEL THE JACK DESIGN IS VERY POOR AND COULD RESULT IN SOMEONE BEING SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED.
Owner-reported narrative. 145,602 miles reported. Look up ODI 10394594 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10692422 · 2015-03-06 (March 6, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI S6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED IN COLD TEMPERATURES, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10692422 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 893383 · 2001-08-03 (August 3, 2001)
VEHICLE HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. WHEN STARTING VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS WON'T WORK. OTHER TIMES HEADDLIGHTS WERE ON AND VEHICLE WON'T START. SAME PROBLEMS AS IN RECALL FOR /IGNITION SWITCH. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED. PLEASE ADD FURTHER COMMENTS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 893383 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 720462 · 2000-03-22 (March 22, 2000)
THIS FUEL LEAK IS NEXT TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND IS A FIRE HAZARD!
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 720462 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10351332 · 2010-08-23 (August 23, 2010)
ON 10 AUG 2010 MY 2002 AUDI S6 AVANT FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE HOSE NIPPLE BEGAN LEAKING FUEL VAPORS AND LIQUID. THE LEAK WHICH IS CAUSED BY THE SAME MATERIAL FAILURE NOTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 08V157000 AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK BECAUSE OF FUEL AND FUEL VAPOR EXPOSURE TO HOT EXHAUST AND OTHER POSSIBLE IGNITION SOURCES. IN THIS CASE THE PLASTIC HOSE NIPPLE CRACKED WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF IMPACT, DAMAGE OR THE PRESENCE OF HARSH CONDITIONS. THE VALVE IS LOCATED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE TANK A FEW INCHES FROM THE FUEL SENDER ACCESS HOLE UNDER T…
Owner-reported narrative. 110,342 miles reported. Look up ODI 10351332 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2009: 3; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2013: 3; 2014: 3; 2015: 2; 2016: 2; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2020: 6; 2021: 10; 2022: 4; 2023: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 1
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 0 | 1 | Not available |
| 1993 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 | 2 | +1 |
| 1995 | 13 | 2 | 0 |
| 1996 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| 1998 | 1 | 1 | Not available |
| 1999 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2001 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2002 | 7 | 2 | +1 |
| 2003 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2004 | 0 | 1 | -1 |
| 2007 | 1 | 2 | Not available |
| 2008 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2009 | 0 | 3 | +1 |
| 2010 | 1 | 2 | -1 |
| 2011 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2013 | 42 | 3 | Not available |
| 2014 | 20 | 3 | 0 |
| 2015 | 5 | 2 | -1 |
| 2016 | 19 | 2 | 0 |
| 2017 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| 2018 | 4 | 1 | -1 |
| 2020 | 2 | 6 | Not available |
| 2021 | 0 | 10 | +4 |
| 2022 | 4 | 4 | -6 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1 | -3 |
| 2024 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 2 | 1 | 0 |