The 2016 Audi S6 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 165,342 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING22V1780002022-03-2326,093 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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 BAGS18V3700002018-06-04139,249 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
Complaints by component
ENGINE
13
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
4
1fires
POWER TRAIN
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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, “audi has determined that, in some vehicles, it is possible for the crankcase ventilation valve to malfunction, causing a whistling noise…”
“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, “audi has determined that, in some vehicles, it is possible for the crankcase ventilation valve to malfunction, causing a whistling noise…”
“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, “audi has determined that, in some vehicles, it is possible for the crankcase ventilation valve to malfunction, causing a whistling noise…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA22001 Opened 2022-04-04 · closed 2023-05-26
Engine Stall - Turbo Failure
On March 29, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE 21-009) after the agency received 58 reports alleging engine stalling in 2013-2016MY Audi vehicle models A8, S6, S7, S8 & RS7 equipped with the 4.0L, twin-turbocharged engine. Complainants reported the vehicles would…
InvestigationEA22001 Opened 2022-04-04 · closed 2023-05-26
Engine Stall - Turbo Failure
On March 29, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE 21-009) after the agency received 58 reports alleging engine stalling in 2013-2016MY Audi vehicle models A8, S6, S7, S8 & RS7 equipped with the 4.0L, twin-turbocharged engine. Complainants reported the vehicles would…
InvestigationPE21009 Opened 2021-03-29 · closed 2022-05-27
Engine Stall - Turbo Failure
On March 29, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 21-009 after the agency received 58 reports alleging engine stalling in 2013-2016MY Audi vehicle models A8, S6, S7, S8 & RS7. The subject vehicles are equipped with 4.0L, twin-turbocharged engine. Complainants reported…
InvestigationPE21009 Opened 2021-03-29 · closed 2022-05-27
Engine Stall - Turbo Failure
On March 29, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 21-009 after the agency received 58 reports alleging engine stalling in 2013-2016MY Audi vehicle models A8, S6, S7, S8 & RS7. The subject vehicles are equipped with 4.0L, twin-turbocharged engine. Complainants reported…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2016 Audi S6 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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