Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
New York safety inspections
Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year. Best against its own year: 2016.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 S6 | 3 | 1 |
| 2024 S6 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 S6 | 0 | 1 |
| 2022 S6 | 4 | 4 |
| 2021 S6 | 0 | 10 |
| 2020 S6 | 2 | 6 |
| 2019 S6 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 S6 | 4 | 1 |
| 2017 S6 | 5 | 2 |
| 2016 S6 | 19 | 2 |
| 2015 S6 | 5 | 2 |
| 2014 S6 | 20 | 3 |
| 2013 S6 | 42 | 3 |
| 2012 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | 0 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 | 2 |
| 2009 | 0 | 3 |
| 2008 | 2 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 | 2 |
| 2006 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 | 0 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 | 2 |
| 2002 S6 | 7 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1 | 1 |
| 2000 S6 | 0 | 1 |
| 1999 S6 | 0 | 1 |
| 1998 S6 | 1 | 1 |
| 1997 | 1 | 0 |
| 1996 | 1 | 1 |
| 1995 S6 | 20 | 2 |
| 1994 S6 | 0 | 2 |
| 1993 | 0 | 1 |
| 1992 | 0 | 1 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Engine70
- Fuel system, gasoline21
- Electrical system17
- Power train16
- Fuel/propulsion system12
- Unknown or other10
- Suspension7
- Steering7
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Crash-test ratings by year
NHTSA 5-star results for 9 model-year variants; 5 of 5 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Year | Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2021 Audi S6 4 DR AWD | — | 8.9 % |
| 2020 | 2020 Audi S6 4 DR AWD | — | 8.9 % |
| 2018 | 2018 Audi S6 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | 9.0 % |
| 2017 | 2017 Audi S6 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | 9.0 % |
| 2016 | 2016 Audi S6 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | 9.0 % |
| 2015 | 2015 Audi S6 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | 9.0 % |
| 2014 | 2014 Audi S6 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | 9.0 % |
| 2013 | 2013 Audi S6 4 DR AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2011 | 2011 Audi S6 4 DR AWD | — | 0.0 % |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption by year
Official Canadian test results for 22 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 10.7–16.0 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | S6 quattro · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.4 | 8.9 | 10.8 |
| 2024 | S6 quattro · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.3 | 8.8 | 10.7 |
| 2023 | S6 quattro · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.3 | 9.0 | 10.8 |
| 2022 | S6 Sedan quattro · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.8 | 8.5 | 10.9 |
| 2021 | S6 Sedan quattro · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.9 | 8.5 | 10.9 |
| 2020 | S6 · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.9 | 8.5 | 10.9 |
| 2018 | S6 · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 15.0 | 10.0 | 12.8 |
| 2017 | S6 · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 13.3 | 8.8 | 11.3 |
| 2016 | S6 quattro · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 13.3 | 8.8 | 11.3 |
| 2015 | S6 · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 14.0 | 8.7 | 11.7 |
| 2014 | S6 · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 14.2 | 9.7 | 12.2 |
| 2013 | S6 · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 14.1 | 8.7 | 11.7 |
| 2011 | S6 · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 16.9 | 12.2 | 14.8 |
| 2010 | S6 · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 16.9 | 12.2 | 14.8 |
| 2009 | S6 · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 16.9 | 12.2 | 14.8 |
| 2008 | S6 · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 16.9 | 12.2 | 14.8 |
| 2007 | S6 · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 16.9 | 12.2 | 14.8 |
| 2003 | S6 Avant · Station wagon: Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 17.8 | 12.1 | 15.2 |
| 2002 | S6 Avant quattro · Station wagon: Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 19.0 | 12.3 | 16.0 |
| 1997 | S6 · Compact · Premium gasoline | 14.9 | 11.0 | 13.1 |
| 1996 | S6 · Compact · Premium gasoline | 14.9 | 11.0 | 13.1 |
| 1995 | S6 · Compact · Premium gasoline | 14.9 | 11.0 | 13.1 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
In New Zealand
317 S6 cars are on the New Zealand register; 39% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2018 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 2017 | 5 | 0 | 4 |
| 2016 | 24 | 12 | 12 |
| 2015 | 17 | 12 | 5 |
| 2014 | 31 | 15 | 16 |
| 2013 | 63 | 30 | 30 |
| 2012 | 33 | 19 | 12 |
| 2010 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 2009 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 2008 | 12 | 5 | 5 |
| 2007 | 37 | 19 | 17 |
| 2006 | 23 | 11 | 10 |
| 2004 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2003 | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| 2002 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 2001 | 17 | 15 | 0 |
| 2000 | 7 | 6 | 0 |
| 1996 | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| 1995 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1994 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
In the Netherlands
1,083 S6 cars are on Dutch roads; 78% arrived later as imports, and 196 still have a recall open. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.
| First registered | On the road | Median list price |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 29 | €104,975 |
| 2025 | 115 | €111,725 |
| 2024 | 20 | €129,786 |
| 2021 | 25 | €134,180 |
| 2020 | 58 | €135,863 |
| 2019 | 84 | €132,826 |
| 2018 | 23 | €153,904 |
| 2017 | 35 | €151,077 |
| 2016 | 50 | €146,123 |
| 2015 | 63 | €139,341 |
| 2014 | 56 | €133,607 |
| 2013 | 91 | €125,812 |
| 2012 | 88 | €127,424 |
| 2008 | 33 | €141,376 |
| 2007 | 94 | €131,992 |
| 2006 | 101 | €133,237 |
| 2002 | 25 | €97,330 |
| 2001 | 35 | €99,589 |
| 2000 | 58 | €102,223 |
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new
In Finland
103 S6 cars were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026: 35% petrol, 6% diesel, 59% electric; 6% of all are hybrids. Mileage is the odometer reading at the last inspection.
| First registered | In use | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 12 | — |
| 2025 | 49 | 11,000 km |
| 2020 | 6 | 137,000 km |
| 2014 | 5 | 180,000 km |
| 2013 | 8 | 178,000 km |
| 2012 | 5 | 204,000 km |
| 2008 | 5 | 236,000 km |
| 2006 | 13 | 217,000 km |
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use, 30 Jun 2026 · CC BY 4.0
In the United Kingdom
1,787 S6 cars were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, by year of manufacture.
| Built | Licensed | Off the road (SORN) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 251 | 11 |
| 2024 | 105 | 2 |
| 2023 | 45 | — |
| 2022 | 81 | — |
| 2021 | 54 | 1 |
| 2020 | 87 | — |
| 2019 | 108 | 2 |
| 2018 | 188 | 3 |
| 2017 | 161 | 4 |
| 2016 | 118 | 3 |
| 2015 | 98 | 2 |
| 2014 | 76 | 5 |
| 2013 | 81 | 12 |
| 2012 | 57 | 5 |
| 2011 | 1 | — |
| 2010 | 27 | 3 |
| 2009 | 17 | 4 |
| 2008 | 26 | 16 |
| 2007 | 64 | 34 |
| 2006 | 44 | 57 |
| 2004 | 1 | 4 |
| 2003 | 10 | 10 |
| 2002 | 20 | 28 |
| 2001 | 15 | 33 |
| 2000 | 24 | 46 |
| 1999 | 0 | 1 |
| 1998 | 0 | 1 |
| 1997 | 4 | 17 |
| 1996 | 15 | 43 |
| 1995 | 6 | 28 |
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
107 S6 cars took their annual MOT test in 2023; 91% passed first time, against 86% for all cars of the same ages. Older cars fail more often, so compare a year with the same year of other cars.
| First registered | Tests | Passed first time |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 107 | 91% |
Why they fail
Share of all first tests that ended in a fail because of each part of the car (one test can fail on several).
| Area | S6 | All cars, same ages |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 7.5% | 4.8% |
| Visibility | 0.9% | 3.6% |
| Suspension | 0.9% | 0.9% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 0.9% | 0.4% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests of cars only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
New registrations in Europe
17,483 new Audi S6 cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2022, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2022 the largest markets were Germany (1,520), Italy (108), Austria (91).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1,955 | 190 (WLTP) |
| 2021 | 2,226 | 191 (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 3,620 | 208 (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 3,667 | 209 (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 1,114 | 222 (NEDC) |
| 2017 | 1,176 | 221 (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 928 | — |
| 2015 | 765 | — |
| 2014 | 700 | — |
| 2013 | 885 | — |
| 2012 | 232 | — |
| 2011 | 16 | — |
| 2010 | 199 | — |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Real-world fuel consumption
2,855 Audi S6 cars registered in Europe between 2021 and 2024 report their fuel use through the on-board meter. Diesel hybrid versions average 8.8 l/100 km on the road, against 7.2 l/100 km in the official WLTP test — 21% more.
| Fuel | Cars | On the road | WLTP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel hybrid | 2,855 | 8.8 | 7.2 | +21% |
Litres per 100 km: total fuel used divided by total distance driven, from the car's own fuel consumption meter (OBFCM), collected in 2024 by the manufacturers, mostly remotely, and by national authorities. WLTP figures are the type-approval CO₂ values converted to litres. Hybrids, including mild hybrids, do not plug in; plug-in hybrid figures include the distance driven on electricity. European Environment Agency, Real-world CO₂ emissions from cars and vans · CC BY 4.0
What it costs in fuel
On real-world figures the Audi S6 uses 8.8 litres per 100 km, so 15,000 km a year takes about 1,310 litres: €2,978 at this week's average price in Germany, its largest market in Europe.
| Country | Diesel hybrid |
|---|---|
| Germany | €2,978 |
| United Kingdom | £2,619 |
| Italy | €2,949 |
| Austria | €2,801 |
| France | €3,082 |
| United States | $2,179 |
Fuel for 15,000 km (9,300 miles) a year at real-world consumption. Pump prices with taxes, week of 19 October 2026: European Commission Weekly Oil Bulletin, UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, US Energy Information Administration. Non-euro EU prices are in euros as the Bulletin publishes them.
Work it out for your driving
EU safety alerts
Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the S6 in 2 alerts. European versions can differ from the North American car.
The airbag may deteriorate over time and if deployed, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to burst and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on t…
In isolated cases the fuel line may become damaged over time due to manufacturing problems. In the worst case this could cause fuel leakage and pose a potential risk of fire, which could cause burns or an accident with serious injuries.
Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0
Recalls
21 campaigns cover the S6; the latest 12 are below.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 SQ8, A6 SEDAN, A7, A8, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S6 SEDAN, S7, S8, A6 Allroad, and SQ7 vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi S7, S6 Sedan, RS7, RS6 Avant, A6 Allroad, 2019-2021 A7, and A6 Sedan vehicles. An incorrectly labeled brake fluid cap may have been installed, which can result in the use of the wrong type of brake fluid.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Audi S7, S6 Sedan, A6 Allroad, 2021-2022 RS7, RS6 Avant, 2019-2022 A7, and A6 Sedan vehicles. Liquid spilled in the rear seat may penetrate and cause the gateway control module to shut down.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 AUDI A8, A6 Allroad, E-TRON Quattro, 2022 S3, RSQ8, RS7, RS6 Avant, Q8, Q7, Q3, E-TRON Sportback Quattro, S5 Cabriolet, E-TRON GT, S5 Sportback, A7, A6, A5 Sportback, A5 Cabriolet, A4, A4 Allroad, A3, S8, SQ7, SQ8, S6, and S4 vehicles. The infotainment main unit may become damaged internally when the vehicle is shut off, resulting in an inoperative rearview camera display the next time the vehicle is started. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 RS6 Avant and RS7, 2020-2022 A6 Allroad, S6 Sedan, and S7, and 2019-2022 A6 Sedan and A7 vehicles. The fuel level sender may stick, causing an inaccurate fuel level reading to be displayed on the instrument cluster.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi RS6 Avant, RS7, 2020-2021 A6 Allroad, S6 Sedan, S7, 2019-2021 A6 Sedan, and A7 vehicles. The score line on the passenger air bag may not have been manufactured correctly.
NHTSA recalls