RoadVitals

2017 Audi S6

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
5
Latest Sep 23, 2022
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Mar 23, 2022
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2017 Audi S6, most frequently naming the engine and fuel system categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 584 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine480.0%
  • Fuel system120.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

Mar 23, 2022
26,093 units potentially affected
The 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.
The 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.
The 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 21H7View on NHTSA.gov

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Jun 4, 2018
139,249 units potentially affected
The 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 System (PODS) control module to malfunction.
The 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.
The 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 74D5View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Filed Sep 23, 2022

I took the vehicle to west Covina Audi to get the recall repaired. Inv # 793279. They claimed the recall was repaired. I request photos of the work performed and old parts. I was told that since it was a recall they have to ship the parts to Audi. When i was notified that my car was done. I asked for pictures. they send me pictures of another car. I checked all the hose clamps and markings from the factory. they are all untouched. Its a extensive repair and that was done in 15 minutes. Audi is commiting recall fraud.

NHTSA ID
11486079
Incident
Sep 22, 2022
Engine
Filed Mar 28, 2022

I'm NOT sure if this would have developed to an safety issue, I'll let your team decide. At my scheduled 50,000 mile dealer service (50,219 miles) I was informed that both motor mounts had failed and needed replacement. The service rep said that THEY found a fault code for one mount and a visual inspection confirmed that the other mount had also failed. Both mounts had sensors but I DID NOT receive a Check Engine Light of any kind. If the situation would have continued, COULD this have become a safety issue? Maybe? I was also concerned about the "No CEL" in that my car was just 2000 mile out of warrantee, could the mount mount have failed during the warranty period and the system was intentionally set up to NOT let me know there was a failure?

NHTSA ID
11458739
Incident
Mar 14, 2022
EngineFuel system
Filed Apr 23, 2021

TURBO POWER FEELS TO HAVE GRADUALLY DECLINED UPON APPROACHING 50K MILES. IT IS CAUSED BY CLOGGED TURBO OIL SCREENS. $3000+ REPAIR WITH NO HELP FROM AUDI BRAND AND DEALER FOR A WIDELY KNOWN ISSUE. ADDITIONALLY THE O2 SENSORS HAVE RANDOMLY THROW ERROR FOR RUNNING LEAN. REPLACED O2 SENSOR BUT ISSUE CAME BACK. HAVE ALREADY TESTED MAF SENSOR AND VETTED FOR VACUUM, EXHAUST LEAKS. ALSO A KNOWN ISSUE WITH NO HELP FROM AUDI BRAND/DEALER.

NHTSA ID
11413599
Incident
Apr 8, 2021
Mileage
49,996 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 3, 2021

AUDI S6 4.0 TT, THE CAR I OWN ARE NOTORIOUS IN OIL SCREEN PROBLEMS. THEY STARVE THE TURBOS WITH NO OIL AND CAUSE FAILURE TO THEM. I AM ONE OF THE PERSON THAT HAS TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11406186
Incident
Mar 10, 2021
Mileage
30,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 10, 2019

OEM TURBOS FAIL ON AUDI 2013-2017 S6/S7/S8/RS6/RS7 DUE TO OIL STARVATION CAUSED BY CLOGGED OEM OIL STRAINER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE FAILURE HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING AND AS IT GENERALLY HAPPENS WHILE WHILE DRIVING THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS ISSUE APPEARS TO BE WIDE-SPREAD BASED ON DISCUSSIONS AVAILABLE ON ONLINE FORUMS. AUDI IS AWARE OF THESE FAILURES AND HAS ISSUED TSB'S THAT IDENTIFY THE TURBO OIL STRAINER AS THE CULPRIT BUT THEY HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN VARIOUS REVISED VERSIONS OF THIS OIL STRAINER OVER TIME, EACH ONE BEING LESS RESTRICTIVE THAN THE PRIOR. $10K+ REPAIR EVERY 30-50K MILES IS UNREASONABLE DUE TO FACT THAT OIL STRAINER HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED TO BE DEFECTIVE AND UPDATED SEVERAL TIMES BY AUDI.

NHTSA ID
11218861
Incident
Jun 10, 2019

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB_2082846_1

This bulletin provides a statement regarding the bottleneck of supply for VW approved oil types VW 504.00 and VW 507.00.

TSB_2078648_2

STRUCTURE:BODY

This service information TSB provides warranty coverage information for vehicles with a broken sunroof panel.

TSB_2073747_4

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides informatoinw hent here are scratches or a coating on the cover of the instrument cluster, or particles inside of the housing.

TSB_2073282_1

STRUCTURE:BODY

This bulletin provides information when there is a film/visible rings on the clear glass cover of the headlight when the dipped beam is switched on.

TSB_2074640_3

ENGINE

This bulletin provides information when there is increased oil consumption; >0.5ltr/1000 km.

TSB_2074729_3

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of vehicle in dynamic mode.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Audi S6 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000
2025210
2024010
2023010
2022440
20210100
2020260
2019000
2018410
2017Viewing520
2016192255.3
2015522
2014203256.3
2013423254.3
2012000
2011020
2010120
2009030
2008220
2007120
2006000
2005000
2004010
2003220
2002720
2001110
2000011
1999011
1998111
1997100
1996110
1995202152.6
1994021
1993010
1992010

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.