Audi S6 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 141 owner complaints and 21 safety recalls on file for the Audi S6, across 27 model years (1995–2025). The 2013 model year has the most complaints (42). The most reported problem area overall is engine.
Audi S6 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical S6 year: 1995, 2013, 2014, 2016. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
Model years with the fewest complaints
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Audi S6 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 70 | 7 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 21 | 4 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 17 | 9 | 0 |
| Power Train | 16 | 5 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 12 | 8 | 1 |
| Steering | 7 | 5 | 0 |
| Suspension | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Child Seat | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Lane Departure | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Audi S6 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 S6 | 3 | 1 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2024 S6 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2023 S6 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2022 S6 | 4 | 4 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2021 S6 | 0 | 10 | — | — | |
| 2020 S6 | 2 | 6 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2018 S6 | 4 | 1 | 5★ | Steering | |
| 2017 S6 | 5 | 2 | 5★ | Engine | |
| 2016 S6 | 19 | 2 | 5★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2015 S6 | 5 | 2 | 5★ | Engine | |
| 2014 S6 | 20 | 3 | 5★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2013 S6 | 42 | 3 | — | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2011 S6 | 0 | 2 | — | — | |
| 2010 S6 | 1 | 2 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2009 S6 | 0 | 3 | — | — | |
| 2008 S6 | 2 | 2 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2007 S6 | 1 | 2 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2004 S6 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2003 S6 | 2 | 2 | — | Fuel/propulsion System | |
| 2002 S6 | 7 | 2 | — | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 2001 S6 | 1 | 1 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2000 S6 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 1999 S6 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 1998 S6 | 1 | 1 | — | Unknown or Other | |
| 1997 S6 | 1 | 0 | — | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1996 S6 | 1 | 1 | — | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1995 S6 | 20 | 2 | — | Fuel System, Gasoline | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Audi: all Audi models · Audi VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Audi S6 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1995 (20), 2013 (42), 2014 (20), 2016 (19) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical S6 year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Audi S6?
Engine, with 70 complaints across 7 model years.
How many recalls does the Audi S6 have?
21 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.