Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Audi S6 problems

Owners filed 42 complaints about the 2013 Audi S6 with NHTSA between Jul 2013 and Feb 2026. The most-cited component is engine (33).

Complaints
42
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine33
  2. Power train8
  3. Fuel/propulsion system3
  4. Electrical system3
  5. Suspension2
  6. Air bags2
  7. Engine and engine cooling1
  8. Child seat1
  9. Seats1
  10. Steering1
  11. Vehicle speed control1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20131
20140
20150
20161
20170
20182
201911
20206
202113
20224
20231
20241
20251
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

33 reports
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 1, 2025Power train, EngineODI 11645758

Power train

8 reports1 crash
“I was driving my Audi when I got transmission malfunction light on along with suspension fault and epc light and check engine light all together and the car wouldn’t go faster than 20 mph. Causing someone to rear end me and them fleeing . So not only was my car hit because of this but I had no driver to hold responsible for the damage”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 4, 2026Power trainCrash reportedODI 11715436

Fuel/propulsion system

3 reports
“Recently learned that my car broke down on my spouse in an extremely unsafe location due to turbo failure(s) probably caused by the turbo oil inlet screen. She was on a busy street when the car shut off on her putting her in an extremely unsafe situation to move the car and wait for tow truck service. The car is still with the Audi dealership for repairs but has been confirmed that this is the likely incident and fixing it will likely prevent further issues. This car has only been to Audi certified technicians at dealerships for the entire time I've owned the car and I was never notified that this is a common occurrence in these models with the turbo. Numerous online forums are dedicated to discuss the common occurrence when researching this particular issue going back a few years, mostly astounding a recall hasn't been issued. There was no warning lamp for the issue to warn us of the impending failure.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 11, 2022Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11447092

Electrical system

3 reports
“WITH ONLY 53,000 MILES ON MY 2013 AUDI S6 BOTH TURBO CHARGES FAILED AND AUDI IS NOW CHARGING ME $9,000 TO REPLACE BOTH TURBO CHARGES WHICH ARE SUPPOSED TO LAST 100,000 TO 125,000 MILES. THIS ISSUE OCCURED WHILE ON THE ROAD IDLING AT A LIGHT AND CAUSED THE CAR NOT TO BE ABLE TO START AND TO SHAKE THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 11, 2021Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11407450

Suspension

2 reports
“SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WORN OUT CAUSING SQUEAKING AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE PATH DURING ACCELERATION IN ALL SITUATIONS. OIL FILTER UNDER PVC VALVE CLOGGED AND STARVED TURBOCHARGER OF OIL CAUSING FAILURE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 10, 2020Suspension, EngineODI 11354107

Air bags

2 reports1 related recall
“AIRBAG LIGHT ON PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR NOT WORKING PROPERLY”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 16, 2019Air bagsODI 11232205
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.