2016 Audi S6 problems
Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Audi S6. Engine is the most reported problem area, at 47% of complaints. After that come drivetrain & axles (10%) and electrical system (7%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 30 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 47% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 45,000 miles 10 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 3 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 4 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 2 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 1 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 0 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 10 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 45,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 2 complaints mention a fire.
It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
This was a low mileage (9k) less than 1 year old pristine condition audi s6. The vehicle was driven approximately 10 miles and then parked in a driveway where it was turned off. The driver sat in the vehicle for 5 minutes with the engine off prior to exiting the vehicle. Between 5 to 10 minutes after exiting the vehicle we smelled smoke in the house. We discovered the vehicle had flame and smoke emanating from under its hood.
There is something wrong with the way the s6 downshifts which makes driving unsafe. A downshift is followed by about 1 second of the transmission not being engaged (so no power to the wheels) and then suddenly the transmission engaged and the car violently thrusts forward. The issue is more profound when downshifting 3rd to 2nd at about 20-30 MPH and can result in rear-ending the car in front. Apparently many s6 owners face the same issue.
Power significantly reduced. Clear loss of boost. Eventual complete engine stall. I was fortunate to have been pulling into a parking spot when the engine cut off uncommanded. The car had to be towed to a repair shop. It was later determined the turbos had failed due to a loss of oil supply. The oil supply is cut off due to the singular turbo oil screen being clogged. Regular oil changes are documented at correct intervals.
Both my turbos failed on my car on christmas day in 2019. I was coming home from dropping off my daughter 90 minutes away. After leaving the highway and starting to move once the light turned green, my car decided to completely stall. I was able to pull over the to shoulder as I was coming to a stop as I was on a one lane road. My car was towed and it was determined that my car had both turbos fail. I received my car back a month later and since then have had a coolant loss issue as well as a surge issue.