What's Wrong with the Audi S6?

Start-Stop Defects
There are multiple problems with Audi's start-stop technology that outweigh the modest fuel efficiency gains. Owners complain that the system will shut off the power steering and brake systems at dangerous times and cause the accelerat The …
Continue reading article "Start-Stop Defects"
DSG Transmission Shifting
Audi's DSG transmissions have multiple problems resulting in violent shaking as it shifts between gears. A class-action lawsuit says the problem is expecially prevelant while accelerating or slowing down through 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gear. Audi…
Continue reading article "DSG Transmission Shifting"
Oil Starved Turbochargers
The twin-turbochargers in Audi's 4.0L V8 engine can become starved of oil because of a clogged filter. This can cause strange acceleration noises, difficulty starting the engine, or sudden stalls.
Continue reading article "Oil Starved Turbochargers"

What S6 Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

transmission problems in the 2016 S6
1 complaints

What Breaks the Most

Transmission
1 complaints

Years to Avoid

2016
1 complaints
2002
0 complaints
2003
0 complaints
2004
0 complaints
2005
0 complaints

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

5th Generation S6
Years
2019–2021
Reliability
N/A
PainRank^™
N/A
Complaints
0
Learn more about the 5th Generation S6
4th Generation S6
Years
2011–2018
Reliability
6th out of 39
PainRank^™
0.1
Complaints
1
Learn more about the 4th Generation S6
3rd Generation S6
Years
2005–2010
Reliability
6th out of 39
PainRank^™
N/A
Complaints
0
Learn more about the 3rd Generation S6
2nd Generation S6
Years
2002–2004
Reliability
6th out of 39
PainRank^™
N/A
Complaints
0
Learn more about the 2nd Generation S6

S6 Key Numbers

1 complaint
Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.
662 service bulletins
Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.
7 recall campaigns
Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

S6 Class-Action Lawsuits

The S6 has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

Dismissed
Pitts, et al., v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., et al.
1. Dismissed
  March 2021
  The case was dismissed when a judge ruled Audi's owner's manuals clearly say the Start-Stop system "may turn off the engine before the car comes to a complete stop."
2. Case Filed
  July 2020
  The lawsuit wanted refunds for the purchase price of the vehicles for class members, plus compensation for overpaying and for loss of values.
Problem
Start-Stop Defects
Class Vehicles
2017-2020 A3
2017-2020 A4
2017-2020 A5
2017-2020 A6
2017-2020 A7
2017-2020 A8
2017-2020 S3
2017-2020 S4
2017-2020 S6
2017-2020 S8
2017-2020 TT
2017-2020 TTS
2017-2020 Q5
2017-2020 Q7
2017-2020 Q8
2017-2020 SQ5
Location
Virginia
Dusanjh v. Audi AG, et al.
1. Case Filed
  September 2020
  The Audi Start-Stop system allegedly requires expensive repairs, car rentals, towing charges, time off work and other costs, while customers allegedly lose money as the vehicles lose their values.
Problem
Start-Stop Defects
Class Vehicles
2017-2020 A3
2017-2020 A4
2017-2020 A5
2017-2020 A6
2017-2020 A7
2017-2020 A8
2017-2020 S3
2017-2020 S4
2017-2020 S6
2017-2020 S8
2017-2020 Q5
2017-2020 Q7
2017-2020 Q8
2017-2020 SQ5
2017-2020 TT
2017-2020 TTS
Location
British Columbia
Mandani, et al., v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., et al.
1. Case Filed
  May 2019
  The class action says the DSG transmissions cause sudden rough shaking and violent jerking when drivers accelerate and shift into 2nd, 3rd or 4th gear. The lawsuit also alleges the vehicles shudder and judder when a driver slows down
Problem
DSG Transmission Shifting
Class Vehicles
2010-2014 S4
2010-2014 S5
2010-2014 S6
2010-2014 S7
2010-2014 RS5
Location
California
Anzhelya Makaryan, et. al., v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc
2:2017cv05086
1. Case Filed
  July 2017
  An Audi timing chain lawsuit alleges Audi and Volkswagen vehicles have defects that cause the timing chains to suddenly fail without warning, causing the engines to fail.
2. Dismissed
  October 2017
  The case was voluntarily dismissed in November 2017 after a motion to dismiss by Audi was filed earlier that same month.
Problem
Start-Stop Defects
Class Vehicles
2013-2017 A3
2013-2017 A4
2013-2017 A5
2013-2017 A6
2013-2017 A7
2013-2017 A8
2013-2017 S3
2013-2017 S4
2013-2017 S5
2013-2017 S6
2013-2017 S7
2013-2017 S8
2013-2017 RS 5
2013-2017 RS 7
2013-2017 allroad
2013-2017 Q3
2013-2017 Q5
2013-2017 Q7
2013-2017 SQ5
2013-2017 TT
2013-2017 TTS
2013-2017 TT RS
2013-2017 R8
Location
California

Recent S6 News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

There's growing concern that more than 46,000 Audi vehicles can end up with misaligned rear axles.
The automaker recalled the vehicles after discovering a certain batch of lock nuts on the axle's trailing arm are more suceptible to snap because of corrosion.…
keep reading article "Audi Recalls 46,000 Vehicles With Potentially Misaligned Rear Axles"
Posted on
May 6, 2021
Source
carcomplaints.com
Tagged
#recall
Are the twin-turbochargers in Audi's 4.0L V8 engine starved of oil?
An investigation has been opened into dozens of complaints about the engines being difficult to start or suddenly shutting down due to turbocharger problems.…
keep reading article "Investigation Opened into Audi V8 Turbocharger Failure"
Posted on
April 7, 2021
Source
carcomplaints.com
Tagged
#investigation
Another Audi start-stop lawsuit has been dismissed
after the judge ruled that the owner's manual clearly states the Start-Stop system may turn off the engine before the car comes to a complete stop. Is that all it takes to win in court? Be prepared for your next owner's manual to say "cars might catch on fire due to thermodynamics" just to cover all the bases.…
keep reading article "A Judge Just Ruled That Audi's Start-System Operates As Intended"
Posted on
March 15, 2021
Source
carcomplaints.com
Tagged
#lawsuit
For the third time in three months Audi has been sued for failing to do something about their dangerous start-stop defects.
It's almost as if owners don't appreciate suddenly losing access to their power steering and brakes while slowing down or not knowing whether their vehicle will accelerate through a busy intersection.…
keep reading article "Canada Joins the Lawsuit Party Against Audi's Defective Start-Stop System"
Posted on
September 6, 2020
Source
carcomplaints.com
Tagged
#lawsuit
Start-stop technology shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a complete stop in order to save on fuel consumption and emissions.
That's a good thing. But it also disables the power steering and brakes way too early. And it is a little slow to re-engage those systems when the vehicle starts moving again. That's a really bad thing.…
keep reading article "Defects in Audi's Start-Stop Technology Make it Dangerous to Drive"
Posted on
July 13, 2020
Source
carcomplaints.com
Tagged
#lawsuit
Takata is a nightmare we just can’t wake up from.
It’s been almost five years since the first recall, yet here we are staring down the barrel of another recall expansion for exploding inflators.
This latest round of recalls affects over 10,000 A4, A6, S4, and S6. David Woods of CarComplaints.com has the full breakdown of which model years and in what zones.…
keep reading article "New Year, New Takata Recalls"
Posted on
January 25, 2018
Source
carcomplaints.com
Tagged
#recall
The lead plaintiff in Anzhelya Makaryan, et. al., v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. says a design defect in Audi's start-stop system allows vehicles to rollaway.
The rollaways happen because the start-stop system won't deactivate if the driver takes off their seat belt for any reason while the vehicle is stopped.
To make matters worse if that the system won't work even if the driver re-buckled their seat belts.
keep reading article "Does Audi's Start-Stop Technology Allow Vehicles to Accidentally Roll Away?"
Posted on
August 17, 2017
Source
carcomplaints.com
Tagged
#lawsuit

See All S6 News

Oil Starved Turbochargers Cause Sudden Engine Stalls
Vehicle was in motion when it started shaking roughly. The car stalled and wouldn't turn back on. I had it towed home and was able to diagnose seized turbo compressors. Replaced the turbos which fixed the problem but at an enormous cost.

2013 S6 Owner in WA

Oil Starved Turbochargers Cause Sudden Engine Stalls
The turbos on the car both broke at the intermediate shaft before 75,000 miles. The car was cruising on the freeway, and the moment I slowed down to take the exit, the car lost power and shut down. I had to make an emergency stop on the side of the exit with little to no room to pull over.

2013 S6 Owner in MO

Start-Stop Defects

DSG Transmission Shifting

Oil Starved Turbochargers

What S6 Owners Complain About

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

5th Generation S6

4th Generation S6

3rd Generation S6

2nd Generation S6

S6 Key Numbers

Dismissed

There's growing concern that more than 46,000 Audi vehicles can end up with misaligned rear axles.

Are the twin-turbochargers in Audi's 4.0L V8 engine starved of oil?

Another Audi start-stop lawsuit has been dismissed

For the third time in three months Audi has been sued for failing to do something about their dangerous start-stop defects.

Start-stop technology shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a complete stop in order to save on fuel consumption and emissions.

Takata is a nightmare we just can’t wake up from.

The lead plaintiff in Anzhelya Makaryan, et. al., v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. says a design defect in Audi's start-stop system allows vehicles to rollaway.

Other Audi Models