2016 Audi S6 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other S6 years
- Far more complaints than other years 4th of 27 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Audi S6. That ranks 4th out of 27 S6 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (13 complaints, 68%), typically at around 56,000 miles. Complaints mention 1 fire. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
- 19owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2016 Audi S6 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 13 | 68% | 56,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 4 | 21% | 9,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 3 | 16% | 200 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 2 | 11% | 9,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 5% | — | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 5% | — | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 5% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 5% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 5% | — | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 5% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 5% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2016 Audi S6 recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2013-2017 A8, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, and 2014-2017 RS7 vehicles. The turbocharger oil supply strainer can become blocked, causing wear to the bearings due to lack of lubrication.
Risk: Worn bearings can cause the turbine wheel to contact the turbocharger housing or cause the shaft to break, causing an engine stall and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the oil strainer and perform an oil change, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 21H7.
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Engine Stall - Turbo Failure (EA22001) — opened Apr 4, 2022, closed May 26, 2023.
- Engine Stall - Turbo Failure (PE21009) — opened Mar 29, 2021, closed May 27, 2022, led to recall 22V178000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The front passenger-side 6-piston Brembo caliper's (Part No. 20.A989.63) external steel crossover tube failed due to corrosion, specifically where the tubing was covered by a protective rubber sleeve, which trapped moisture and road salt. This led to a catastrophic loss of brake fluid and braking…
Subject: Formal Complaint Regarding Defective Arnott Front Air Strut To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally report a significant safety concern regarding a defective Arnott FL front air strut purchased via RockAuto for my 2016 Audi S6 (VIN: [XXX] ). The air strut failed within five days…
We, a group of Audi S6 owners with vehicles from the 2013-2017 model years, are experiencing premature mechatronic issues. These problems manifest as jerking when coming to a stop, which can lead to accidents, and intermittent power loss that can be life-threatening. These issues began around…
Hi - The Crankcase Ventilation Valve Extended Warranty [XXX] covers only ten years or 120k miles. My car has close to 160k miles. According to NHTSA or Audi, âAudi has determined that, in some vehicles, it is possible for the crankcase ventilation valve to malfunction, causing a whistling noise…
While driving with my wife and kids, on the highway, in the rain a warning message was displayed. The warning stated: steering malfunction, please stop the vehicle!. At which point the power steering locked-up & the engine powered down. As a result, I was unable to steer the vehicle. Thankfully, I…
Other Audi S6 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 S6 | 3 | 1 |
| 2024 S6 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 S6 | 0 | 1 |
| 2022 S6 | 4 | 4 |
| 2021 S6 | 0 | 10 |
| 2020 S6 | 2 | 6 |
| 2018 S6 | 4 | 1 |
| 2017 S6 | 5 | 2 |
| 2016 | 19 | 2 |
| 2015 S6 | 5 | 2 |
| 2014 S6 | 20 | 3 |
| 2013 S6 | 42 | 3 |
| 2011 S6 | 0 | 2 |
| 2010 S6 | 1 | 2 |
| 2009 S6 | 0 | 3 |
| 2008 S6 | 2 | 2 |
| 2007 S6 | 1 | 2 |
| 2004 S6 | 0 | 1 |
| 2003 S6 | 2 | 2 |
| 2002 S6 | 7 | 2 |
| 2001 S6 | 1 | 1 |
| 2000 S6 | 0 | 1 |
| 1999 S6 | 0 | 1 |
| 1998 S6 | 1 | 1 |
| 1997 S6 | 1 | 0 |
| 1996 S6 | 1 | 1 |
| 1995 S6 | 20 | 2 |
See all Audi S6 problems by year, every Audi model, or the Audi VIN decoder.
Similar Audi models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Audi S6?
Owners most often report engine, unknown or other, power train problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 13 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Audi S6?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2016 Audi S6 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other S6 model years, the 2016 has far more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.