2013 Audi A6 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Nov 19, 2025 · 52 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other A6 years
More complaints than other years 13th of 32 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Audi A6. That ranks 13th out of 32 A6 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (18 complaints, 35%), typically at around 66,000 miles. Complaints mention 2 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year.

Audi A6
Audi_A6_C9_IAA_2025 at IAA 2025. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2013 Audi A6 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Air Bags18 · ~66,000 mi
Engine15 · ~60,000 mi
Unknown or Other8 · ~11,030 mi
Electrical System7 · ~38,830 mi
Fuel/propulsion System7 · ~71,000 mi
Steering7 · ~11,050 mi
Seats3 · ~52,500 mi
Power Train2 · ~77,600 mi
Service Brakes2 · ~76,000 mi
Electronic Stability Control (esc)1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Air Bags1835%66,000——
Engine1529%60,000——
Unknown or Other815%11,030——
Electrical System713%38,830——
Fuel/propulsion System713%71,000——
Steering713%11,050——
Seats36%52,500——
Power Train24%77,600——
Service Brakes24%76,000——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)12%———
Engine and Engine Cooling12%61,871——
Equipment12%150——
Exterior Lighting12%———
Fuel System, Gasoline12%122,000——
Lane Departure12%———
Seat Belts12%———
Structure12%19,000——
Tires12%115,000——
Wheels12%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2018, with 21 complaints
2013: 2201322014: 1201412015: 4201542016: 3201632017: 3201732018: 212018212019: 3201932020: 6202062021: 2202122022: 1202212023: 3202332024: 1202412025: 220252

n = 52 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2013 Audi A6 recalls (6)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:sensor:occupant classificationJun 4, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V370000 · 139,249 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Audi S6 and S7, 2012-2018 A7 and A6 Sedan, and 2014-2018 RS7 vehicles equipped with basic seats (with or without heating). Stress or wear of the body-sensing mat within the front passenger seat may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) control module to malfunction.

Risk: If the PODS module malfunctions, the front passenger air bag may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a PODS system repair kit, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D5.

Engine and engine cooling:cooling systemApr 11, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V229000 · 342,867 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.

Risk: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 6, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V781000 · 48,693 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Audi A6 and A7 vehicles. The fuel line has a compression point that can weaken, potentially resulting in a fuel leak.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line, free of charge. The recall began February 5, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-888-237-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AR.

Engine and engine cooling:cooling systemJan 3, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V002000 · 342,867 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system, resulting in the pump overheating.

Risk: If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19M1.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsSep 7, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V646000 · 28,249 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Audi A6 and Audi A7 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a fuel hose in the engine compartment that may degrade and leak fuel.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the under hood fuel pump and fuel hose, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BZ.

Air bags:sensor:occupant classificationDec 8, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V823000 · 21,074 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Audi A6 vehicles manufactured March 28, 2011, to March 25, 2013, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles manufactured January 25, 2011, to March 19, 2013. In vehicles with heated and cooled seats, the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS), used to enable the front passenger air bags, may malfunction and prevent the passenger-side air bags from deploying in a crash.

Risk: An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of occupant injury in a crash.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and Audi dealers will install a PODS system repair kit, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D1.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

When the turn signal is activated to go RIGHT, the turn indicator flashes LEFT (both the arrow on the instrument panel and the exterior lights). Since the driver is not consciously looking at the dash, this causes an unexpected lane change and dangerous (and illegal) lane change. There are no…

Exterior Lighting · received Nov 19, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11700279

It was recently began to leak fuel from the top of the engine close to the windshield. Then the whole cabin specially in the front where the steering wheel began to have bad vibration during reversed, and idle, also when the ac is on. Then theres the airbag for the passenger, the light is on, it…

Engine · received Sep 28, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11690179

The contact owns a 2013 Audi A6 equipped with Kumho Tires, Tire Line: Solus Majesty, Tire Size: 245/45/VR18, DOT Number: 127W2YCJ9. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken for maintenance and the independent mechanic observed that the driver's and passenger’s side front tires tread was…

Tires · received Nov 12, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11624752

My sunroof exploded on the expressway and caused the glass to shatter both inside the vehicle sunroof vent and the exterior sunroof

Unknown or Other · received Aug 25, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11540695

I had my coolant system repaired before I found out there was a recall now my thermostat went bad. My brakes need to be replaced too much and my screw for my radio and system display stopped working every time you change fees it pops

Engine · received May 13, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11521861

Other Audi A6 years

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Audi A6?

Owners most often report air bags, engine, unknown or other problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 18 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2013 Audi A6?

Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2013 Audi A6 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other A6 model years, the 2013 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.