RoadVitals

2018 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.
4
Latest Dec 10, 2023
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.
1
Latest Jun 4, 2018
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 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Audi S6, most frequently naming the steering, brakes and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 563 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

  • Steering240.0%
  • Brakes120.0%
  • Electrical120.0%
  • Visibility120.0%

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

1 campaign 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
18V370000

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

ElectricalSteering
Filed Dec 10, 2023

First off let me start by saying the vehicle has 45k miles on it. There were no fault codes or system errors prior to the issue that developed. I was driving to a meeting in heavy rain, no issues or suspicion of issues arising. I parked the car, returned about 2 hours later started the car to find 6 warnings on the dash (tpms fault, acc disabled, steering disabled, air ride control disabled esc disabled and a few more. Notably was the steering, it had a red light and the steering wheel was very hard to turn. The vehicle couldnt be driven. After having the computer scanned the issue was the electronic steering rack. See codes below. This is very unfortunate and strange that it came out of nowhere especially to fail this way. The vehicle is available for inspection until the part is replaced. VIN: [XXX] License Plate: Mileage: 73992km-45976mi Repair Order: Address 44: Steering Assist Labels: 4G0-909-144.clb Control Module Part Number: 4G0 909 144 T HW: 4G0 909 144 Q Component and/or Version: RCevo H55 0202 Software Coding: 101001010001 Work Shop Code: WSC 02391 785 00200 ASAM Dataset: EV_RCEPS 106007 (AU57) ROD: EV_RCEPS_106.rod VCID: 3A381898BDFF7D41CD-806E 4 Faults Found: 6291727 - Internal Control Module Memory Check Sum Error B2000 00 [10001001] - - [Abschaltpfadtest fehlgeschlagen] MIL ON - Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear Freeze Frame: Fault Priority: 1 Fault Frequency: 1 Mileage: 73949 km Date: 2023.12.06 Time: 10:07:29 Write only channel 1052420 - Internal Control Module Memory Check Sum Error B2000 49 [10001001] - Internal Electronic Failure [Unplausibler Signalverlauf des Motortemperatursensors] MIL ON - Confirmed - Test INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATIO

NHTSA ID
11559336
Incident
Dec 6, 2023
Visibility
Filed Apr 22, 2021

I OWN A 2018 AUDI S6 WHICH I BEGAN DRIVING IN MARCH 2018. SINCE THEN THE WINDSHIELD HAS SHATTERED THREE TIMES, DUE TO ONLY MINOR IMPACTS OF ROCKS OR ROAD DEBRIS EACH TIME. THIS HAPPENED MOST RECENTLY A FEW WEEKS AGO WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 70 MPH. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 36 YEARS IN SEVEN DIFFERENT AUTOMOBILES AND I HAVE NEVER HAD TO HAVE A WINDSHIELD REPLACED. I ALSO DO MUCH LESS HIGHWAY DRIVING THAN I HAVE IN THE PAST. THE FACT THAT THE WINDSHIELD ON MY AUDI HAS SHATTERED THREE TIMES IN THREE YEARS CANNOT POSSIBLY BE JUST BAD LUCK. FORTUNATELY, EACH TIME THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERED IT WAS NOT IN THE DRIVER'S LINE OF SIGHT. IF THE WINDSHIELD HAD SHATTERED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER IT COULD HAVE CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE AS THE WINDSHIELD ON THIS PARTICULAR AUDI MODEL SEEMS TO BE QUITE FRAGILE. I HAD PREVIOUSLY DRIVEN A 2009 AUDI A5 FOR NINE YEARS WITH NO SUCH ISSUES. I HAVE CONTACTED AUDI OF AMERICA WITH MY CONCERNS, BUT THEY DO NOT SEEM INTERESTED.

NHTSA ID
11413376
Incident
Feb 10, 2021
Mileage
21,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 9, 2018

EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST ON WHEELS AND ROTORS AFFECTING STOPPING DISTANCE

NHTSA ID
11083980
Incident
Apr 4, 2018
Steering
Filed Dec 4, 2017

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON 11/18/2017; ON 11/21/2017 A DEAD BATTERY CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO START. ON THE 11/22/2017 AFTER CHARGING THE VEHICLE BATTERY OVER 20 HOURS THE VEHICLE STARTED; HOWEVER THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED SEVERAL WARNINGS: STEERING SYSTEM FAULT, DYNAMIC STABILITY, ADAPTIVE SUSPENSION, ADAPTIVE LIGHTS, ETC... THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO AUDI SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTIONING; WHICH IS DIRECTLY LINKED TO STEERING SYSTEM FAULT. THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO ME BY A MEMBER OF THE SALES TEAM ON 11/30/2017 STATING THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND CLEAR OF ANY ISSUES. HOWEVER, THE STEERING SYSTEM FAULT RETURNED WITHIN HOURS AFTER THE DELIVERY WHILE DRIVING WESTBOUND ON I-565 AND THE ACTIVE LANE ASSISTANCE ENGAGED MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO DISENGAGE THE ACTIVE LANE ASSISTANCE, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE STEERING BECAME INCREASINGLY MORE DIFFICULT TO STEER. AFTER PICKING UP MY CHILDREN FORM SCHOOL, THE VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL NEARLY SEIZED UP MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE SAFELY. I HAD TO VERY AGGRESSIVELY MUSCLE THE STEERING WHEEL IN HOPES OF CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE TO MANEUVER THE CAR WITHOUT ANYTHING OR BEING HIT. I HAD NO REAL CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. MY CHILDREN AND I WERE VERY FORTUNATE; BLESSED EVEN THAT WE WERE ARE STILL ALIVE TO TALK ABOUT THIS INCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
11052290
Incident
Nov 30, 2017
Mileage
420 mi

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_2081573_4

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This bulletin provides information when DTC B105A1A, B103E25 is stored in 0017; fuel tank level implausible.

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_2081573_3

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This bulletin provides information when DTC B105A1A, B103E25 is stored in 0017; fuel tank level implausible.

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—
2018Viewing410—
2017520—
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.