2016 AUDI S6 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
5/5
Safety Rating
30
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
12
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2016 AUDI S6
The 2016 AUDI S6 has received a total of 30 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION. 12 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (13 complaints), Unknown Or Other (4 complaints), and Power Train (3 complaints).
Recalls for the 2016 AUDI S6
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 2016 AUDI S6, potentially affecting up to 165,342 vehicles.
Recall 22V178000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
| 26,093 vehicles 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.
View full details →Recall 18V370000 — AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
| 139,249 vehicles 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 System (PODS) control module to malfunction.
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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2016 AUDI S6
30 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2016 AUDI S6. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Adaptive Cruise Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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 capability. This appears to be a systemic corrosion defect.
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 of professional installation. This failure compromised the safety and functionality of my vehicle's suspension system, potentially risking further damage and endangering passengers. I was forced to drive the vehicle briefly in this compromised state to arrange for reinstallation, creating an additional safety hazard. Details of the issue: Product: Arnott FL Front Air Strut (purchased via RockAuto). Professional Installation Dates: October 25, 2024, and reinstallation due to failure on November 27, 2024. Failure Description: The air strut lost functionality within five days of installation, causing a significant drop in vehicle height and inability to maintain proper suspension. This defect demonstrates a failure of Arnott’s quality control and has left me concerned about the safety of their products, particularly when they play a critical role in vehicle performance and passenger safety. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this matter to ensure no systemic issues with Arnott's products compromise the safety of other drivers. I have attached supporting documentation, including invoices for installation, reinstallation, and further details on the defective part. Thank you for your attention to this urgent safety matter. I look forward to your acknowledgment and any updates regarding this investigation. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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 40,000 miles and have progressively worsened, despite our vehicles having only approximately 70,000 miles on them. Given the early onset and severity of these problems, we strongly urge a recall. The current mechatronic design appears to be flawed and fails prematurely, posing significant safety risks.
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 40,000 miles and have progressively worsened, despite our vehicles having only approximately 70,000 miles on them. Given the early onset and severity of these problems, we strongly urge a recall. The current mechatronic design appears to be flawed and fails prematurely, posing significant safety risks.
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 40,000 miles and have progressively worsened, despite our vehicles having only approximately 70,000 miles on them. Given the early onset and severity of these problems, we strongly urge a recall. The current mechatronic design appears to be flawed and fails prematurely, posing significant safety risks.
Safety Rating for the 2016 AUDI S6
The 2016 AUDI S6 received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2016 AUDI S6
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 12 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2016 AUDI S6. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
A872468204471710 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This bulletin provides information when there is a faint noise heard in the cabin from the air conditioning circuit.
A3520382059303_1 — EQUIPMENT
This bulletin contains instructions to address shuddering when downshifting from 2nd to 1st gear.
AWA 20-05 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
This Document informs dealers on the new rear oxygen sensor warranty extension for 2016-2018 S6, S7, RS7, A8, and S8 vehicles
Bulletin - Updat — STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
On Audi A6 and A7 vehicles manufactured within a specific period, the bolted connection for the tie rod (rear right) may not have been tightened correctly. This was due to a fault with the production?s screwing system.
A211829 2044640- — ENGINE
This bulletin contains repair instructions for when the engine cannot be started or it is difficult, there is unusual noises when accelerating and/or there is reduced engine performance.
A911871 2047407_ — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
This bulletin contains a software update for when the audio is muted after using the front, rear, or top-view camera system.
A171786 2048392- — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
This bulletin contains software update ifnormation for when the instrument cluster display shows ?Please reduce oil level.?
A011682 2045598- — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
This bulletin provides repair information when a P023600 or P024000 appear in the tester.
2016 AUDI A6-S6 — ENGINE
CORRECTION TO 4.0L ENGINE CODE
2016 A6-S6 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
NEW PUBLICATION
Showing 10 of 12 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2016 AUDI S6
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the AUDI S6
- 2011 AUDI S6 — 0 complaints
- 2012 AUDI S6 — 0 complaints
- 2013 AUDI S6 — 56 complaints
- 2014 AUDI S6 — 30 complaints
- 2015 AUDI S6 — 8 complaints
- 2016 AUDI S6 (current)
- 2017 AUDI S6 — 6 complaints
- 2018 AUDI S6 — 5 complaints
- 2019 AUDI S6 — 0 complaints
- 2020 AUDI S6 — 5 complaints
- 2021 AUDI S6 — 0 complaints