2013 Audi A6

Routine

Owners filed 52 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 6 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
61,871 milesMedian miles at failure

28 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags16
101
Engine8
000
Steering7
000
Electrical System6
010
Unknown or Other4
000
Fuel/Propulsion System3
000
Wheels1
000
Tires1
000
Service Brakes1
000
Fuel System, Gasoline1
000

6 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification18V370000
Filed Jun 4, 2018139,249 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

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.

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.

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.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System18V229000
Filed Apr 11, 2018342,867 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.

Risk. A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings17V781000
Filed Dec 6, 201748,693 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Audi A6 and A7 vehicles. The fuel line has a compression point that can weaken, potentially resulting in a fuel leak.

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line, free of charge. The recall began February 5, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-888-237-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AR.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System17V002000
Filed Jan 3, 2017342,867 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system, resulting in the pump overheating.

Risk. If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19M1.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings16V646000
Filed Sep 7, 201628,249 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Audi A6 and Audi A7 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a fuel hose in the engine compartment that may degrade and leak fuel.

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the under hood fuel pump and fuel hose, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BZ.

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification15V823000
Filed Dec 8, 201521,074 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Audi A6 vehicles manufactured March 28, 2011, to March 25, 2013, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles manufactured January 25, 2011, to March 19, 2013. In vehicles with heated and cooled seats, the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS), used to enable the front passenger air bags, may malfunction and prevent the passenger-side air bags from deploying in a crash.

Risk. An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of occupant injury in a crash.

Remedy. Volkswagen will notify owners, and Audi dealers will install a PODS system repair kit, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D1.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Exterior Lighting
Filed Nov 19, 2025CA

When the turn signal is activated to go RIGHT, the turn indicator flashes LEFT (both the arrow on the instrument panel and the exterior lights). Since the driver is not consciously looking at the dash, this causes an unexpected lane change and dangerous (and illegal) lane change. There are no warning lights that there is an error/problem. This is an intermittent but frequent problem and replicable. I have not taken the issue to the dealer but research suggests that the turn signal stalk must be replaced. Searching online, I see that other Audi A6, for various years, have this problem. I also recently learned that Hyundai vehicles were recalled for this same issue. Hopefully you can look into it to see. Thank you.

Engine
Filed Sep 28, 2025CA

IT WAS RECENTLY BEGAN TO LEAK FUEL FROM THE TOP OF THE ENGINE CLOSE TO THE WINDSHIELD. THEN THE WHOLE CABIN SPECIALLY IN THE FRONT WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO HAVE BAD VIBRATION DURING REVERSED, AND IDLE, ALSO WHEN THE AC IS ON. THEN THERES THE AIRBAG FOR THE PASSENGER, THE LIGHT IS ON, IT USED TO SAY '"OFF" THEN WHEN THE SEAT IS USED IT WILL SHUT OFF. NOW IT JUST STAYS ON. LAST IS THE AC COMPRESSOR SEEMS TO BE RATTLING LIKE A BOLT IS LOOSE. ALL THE RECALLS HAVE BEEN HAPPENING WITH MY AUDI AND STILL MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED.

Tires
Filed Nov 12, 2024115,000 milesAZ

The contact owns a 2013 Audi A6 equipped with Kumho Tires, Tire Line: Solus Majesty, Tire Size: 245/45/VR18, DOT Number: 127W2YCJ9. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken for maintenance and the independent mechanic observed that the driver's and passenger’s side front tires tread was separating from the tire. The contact stated that all four tires had been replaced 3 months prior. The contact was informed by the independent mechanic that the rear tires were also showing signs of tread separation. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 115,000. The tire failure mileage was 5,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 25, 2023AZ

My sunroof exploded on the expressway and caused the glass to shatter both inside the vehicle sunroof vent and the exterior sunroof

Engine
Filed May 13, 2023DE

I had my coolant system repaired before I found out there was a recall now my thermostat went bad. My brakes need to be replaced too much and my screw for my radio and system display stopped working every time you change fees it pops

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jan 5, 2023122,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2013 Audi A6. The contact stated that after returning to the parked vehicle, the vehicle failed to start after several attempts. The contact stated that the temperature gauge and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact performed a diagnostic on the vehicle and retrieved fault codes for the temperature gauge and fuel delivery system. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V781000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.

Steering
Filed Jan 12, 2022AZ

Steering Rack Assist has a recall for my car because my steering locked up. Audi replaced the recall part two times. the first didnt work after the second time it works but now they cant reset the check engine lights, TPMS, Steering Fault do not drive it says, ECS Fualt, Stability Fault, Child Safety Lock Fault etc. Dealer told they did everything they could even flew in an Audi Engineer still cant reset anything and that they exceeded the cars value in man hours to figure out what is the issue. Now they tell me the car is drivable but my question is, is it safe for me to accept it like that and risk something happening while driving and the steering locking up or any other problems that may arise but I wouldn"t know because of the other alarms may override the current alarm that may pop up. My insurance said they wouldnt accept the car back in that condition because its a recall issue related and that Audi needs to address this but in just getting the run around. My car has been at the dealer for about 6 months trying to figure it out. Now they tell me "You brought your car because steering was locked up wasnt able to drive and now the car is drivable and the only thing we cant clear are the alarms that i mentioned above but it is drivable its just like an oil change alarm that you do the oil change but we just cant reset it so its kinda the same thing" they told me that and i was like okay. No is not the same i said, my question is is this even safe to accept and risk somet

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 24, 2021MO

I start getting coolant leak and it was at Audi dealership. Nothing was done just today get biger leak and took to shop and they say my water pump is broken. I think this is part of Audi A6 2013 water oump problems. Need to fix it

Engine
Filed Jan 27, 2021115,000 milesIL

OVER HEATING CAUSED BY THERMOSTAT STICKING. THIS PROBLEM WAS COMMON ON THE 2.0 AUDI A6 WHICH WAS RECALL. THE CAR OVERHEATS EVERY TIME I DRIVE. ALSO, I HAD A SPARK PLUG END IP IN THE CYLINDER CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE INNER WALL OF THE ENGINE.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 20, 2020TX

CAR IS LEAKING & BURNING OIL AND IS HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS OPEN SHORT TO GROUND I ONLY HAD THE CAR 2 MONTHS THE FUEL SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING MY ENGINE LIGHT & MY EPIC LIGHT IS ON SMOKE IS COMING COMING FROM THE ENGINE & THE ENGINE IS SHAKING ROUGHLY & THESE ARE SOME OF THE RECALLS BUT THERE SAYING THE RECALLS HAVE ALREADY BEEN TAKING CAR OF BUT SEEMS LIKE THE PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING. I WAS IDLED IN A PARKING LOT WHEN THIS PROBLEM STARTED. I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MY CAR COULD POSSIBLY CATCH FIRE.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 19, 2020TX

MY CAR WAS STATIONARY AND OIL IS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE MY FUEL SYSTEM IS MESSING UP. ALSO I'M HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CYLINDER 1 MISFIRE OPEN GROUND OR SHORT TO GROUND CIRCUIT .

Electrical System
Filed Sep 23, 202077,600 milesNJ

I OWN A 2013 AUDI A6 AROUND 77K MILES. I GOT THE CEL AND BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER. THERE IS AN INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COOLANT VALUE THAT IS PART OF THE COOLING SYSTEM AND OBVIOUSLY, THAT COMPONENT ALSO HELPS KEEP THE TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE IN CHECK. THE ISSUE WITH THIS DEFECTIVE PART IS THE VALVE MALFUNCTIONS CAUSING COOLANT TO PENETRATE THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AND FROM THERE INTO THE WIRING HARNESS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, IT IS A CATASTROPHIC MALFUNCTION OF THOSE COMPONENTS AND A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. WATER AND ELECTRICAL DO NOT MIX WELL.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 27, 202073,000 milesNH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (AUDI STRATHAM LOCATED AT 58 PORTSMOUTH AVE, STRATHAM, NH 03885) WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V370000 (AIR BAG) FOR THE SAME FAILURE BUT THE FAILURE HAD REOCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 26, 2020MA

ON 3/6/2020, AUDI NORWELL, MA DIAGNOSED MY 2013 AUDI A6 WITH A PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (PODS) MALFUNCTION AND ALERTED OF A PODS SYSTEM PROBLEM BY ILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG MONITORING LIGHT AND BY THE STATUS OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR LIGHT. I WAS QUOTED $1,389.81 TO REPLACE/REPAIR, BUT ASKED IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS 'AIRBAG' RELATED ISSUE, SINCE IT HAS BEEN WELL PUBLICIZED ON THESE AUDI MODELS. UPON LOOKING UP MY VIN# IN THE RECALL DATABASE, WE DISCOVERED THE VIN# FOR THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT LISTED AS AN IMPACTED VEHICLE. HOWEVER, IT IS A 100% MATCH TO SAFTEY RECALL CODES: 74D5 OR 74D1 (SEE BELOW). I FILED A RECALL CASE WITH AUDI MANUFACTURING ON 4/21/2020, BUT THEY RESPONDED BACK ON 4/24/2020 THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO IF THE VIN# IS NOT ON THE LIST. THUS FILING MY COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. RECALL CODE: 74D5 SUBJECT: PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (PODS) AFFECTED VEHICLES: 2013 A6 DESCRIPTION: THE PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (PODS) CAN MALFUNCTION DUE TO STRESS/WEAR FACTORS AFFECTING AN INTERNAL CONNECTOR OR CONTACT RESISTANCE INCREASE AT BODY-SENSING MAT IN THE SEAT. IN THIS SITUATION, A FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT RISKS INJURY IN A CRASH BECAUSE A MALFUNCTIONING PODS MAY NOT MAKE THE CORRECT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT DECISION FOR THE TYPE OF OCCUPANT SEATED THERE. RECALL CODE: 74D1 SUBJECT: PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (PODS) AFFECTED VEHICLES: 2013 AUDI A6 DESCRIPTION: IN AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH CLIMATE CONTROL SEATS (HEATED/COO

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 9, 202071,000 milesTX

STRONG GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE THE CAR WHILE BEING DRIVEN AND WHILE PARKED INSIDE MY GARAGE RESULTING FROM FUEL PUMP LEAK. ODOR IS WORSE WHEN FUEL TANK IS FULL.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 16, 2019NJ

ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL CABLES MORE THAN ONCE, ALSO FUEL EXHAUST ISSUE AND COOLING SYSTEM. VEHICLE STATIONARY AND OR DRIVING UNDER 50 MILES.

Steering
Filed Mar 26, 2019CA

2013 AUDI A6. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POWER STEERING FAILURE. *LD *TR

Engine
Filed Jan 18, 201960,000 milesMD

IN LATE DECEMBER 2017 OUT OF NOWHERE, MY CAR BEGAN TO DISPLAY THE WARNING, 'TURN OFF ENGINE AND CHECK COOLANT LEVEL' (PHOTO ATTACHED) ; THIS WAS VERY ALARMING AS I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR AND HAVE HAD ALL OF THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED AND HAD AN APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED AT THE DEALER. JUST A FEW DAYS LATER ON JANUARY 5, 2018 I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WATER/COOLANT PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (ATTACHED). UNFORTUNATELY, I FELT THAT THE COST WAS TOO MUCH AT THE DEALER AND I TOOK MY CAR TO A REPUTABLE MECHANIC IN THE AREA WHO REPLACED THE WATER/COOLANT PUMP. TO MY SURPRISE IN SEPTEMBER 2018, AUDI ANNOUNCED A RECALL FOR THE WATER/COOLANT PUMP. TO MY UNDERSTANDING, THIS MEANS THAT THEY ARE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGED PUMP. WITH THAT BEING SAID, I WOULD ASSUME THAT ANY ISSUES RELATED TO THE PUMP SHOULD ALSO BE COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL. AS NOTED ON MY SERVICE MEMO FROM THE AUDI DEALERSHIP WHEN I HAD MY CAR INSPECTED FOR THE WARNING 'IF NOT REPLACED, THE ENGINE'S COOLING SYSTEM WILL NOT BE OPERATING EFFICIENTLY AND AT THE PROPER TEMPERATURE RESULTING IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE DAMAGE.' IN FEBRUARY 2018, A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AFTER HAVING MY CAR'S WATER/COOLANT PUMP REPAIRED, THE CAR STARTED TO IDLE WHEN I TRIED TO PULL OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY. NOT EVEN A BLOCK AWAY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF AND THE CAR CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. I WAS SO SCARED, BUT RELIEVED THAT I WAS NOT

Air Bags
Filed Nov 17, 2018FL

TAKATA RECALL - MY AUDI DEALERSHIP STILL DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT. IT'S BEEN FIVE MONTHS. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

Engine
Filed Nov 15, 2018MA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V229000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AUDI SHREWSBURY (780 BOSTON TURNPIKE, SHREWSBURY, MA 01545, (508) 581-5800) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20 of 52 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20266000Routine
20256200Routine
20242100Routine
20232100Routine
20222500Routine
2021161100Routine
202025900Routine
2019114710Routine
201811210Routine
201720300Routine
201651320Routine
201522400Routine
201441400Routine
2013 — this page52620Routine
201259800Routine
201121300Routine
201017310Routine
200921400Routine
200871410Routine
200753400Routine
200667410Routine
200591320Routine
200435420Routine
200366750Routine
200288431Fatalities reported
2001113770Routine
2000148480Routine
19992179232Fatalities reported
19981301070Routine
199720240Routine
199651210Routine
199516200Routine
19942100Routine

Compare every A6 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jun 4, 2018. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.