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2013 Audi A6 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2013 Audi A6 has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 6safety recalls
- 52owner complaints
- 2crash reports
- 2fire reports
- 20%fail the UK MOT
52 complaints, against an average of 28 for the other 13 Audi A6 model years.
Every Audi A6 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2013 Audi A6?
The components named most often in the 52 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2013 Audi A6 owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 52 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
- Why is the airbag light on in my 2013 Audi A6?12 owners · 23.1% · Recall 18V370000
- Why does my 2013 Audi A6 overheat?5 owners · 9.6% · Recall 18V229000
- Why is the check engine light on in my 2013 Audi A6?4 owners · 7.7%
- Why is my 2013 Audi A6 burning or losing oil?3 owners · 5.8%
- Why does the power steering fail or feel heavy on my 2013 Audi A6?3 owners · 5.8%
- Have any 2013 Audi A6 vehicles caught fire?3 owners · 5.8%
Has the 2013 Audi A6 been recalled?
6 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Air Bags: Sensor: Occupant Classification 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.
Fix: 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 System 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.
Fix: 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 Fittings 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.
Fix: 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 System 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.
Fix: 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 Fittings 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.
Fix: 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 Classification 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.
Fix: 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.
Is the 2013 Audi A6 recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAStop-drive TAKATA PSAN
Risk: Urgent Safety Warning – Do Not Drive Your Vehicle Affected vehicles were originally allocated to or used for an extended period of time in a region with a climate zone considered to as HIGH RISK. Certain front airbags contain an ageing inflator propellant that may explode when deployed due to long-term exposure to heat and humidity. If the airbag inflator explodes metal fragments may be ejected causing life-threatening or fatal injuries to anyone in the vehicle.
Fix: Affected airbags will be be replaced. You can contact Audi's dedicated Takata Stop Drive helpline at 0113 526 9646 (MONDAY to FRIDAY 9:00AM to 5:00PM.
UK DVSAThe mesh size of the oil strainer in the oil supply for both turbochargers is too small
Risk: The mesh size of the oil strainer in the oil supply for both turbochargers is too small.
Fix: The oil strainer will be replaced with a revised version with a larger mesh size.
UK DVSACoolant pump may overheat
Risk: Foreign particles in the engine coolant can lead to a blockage in the additional coolant pump and cause the pump to overheat.Foreign particles in the coolant can lead to a blockage in the additional coolant pump and cause the pump to overheat.
Fix: Recall the machines that are likely to be affected and update the software which will deactivate the additional coolant pump in the event of malfunction. If there has been a malfunction of the additional water pump it will be replaced.
UK DVSAReduction in braking performance
Risk: On affected vehicles engine oil may in isolated instances enter the brake servo via the vacuum feed lie.This may cause the brake servo diaphragm to rupture and loss of brake servo assistance.
Fix: Replace vacuum line on affected vehicles.
EU Safety GateThe vehicles are equipped with control software regarded as unauthorised by the competent authorities.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Importer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 23/04/2021
EU Safety GateIn certain vehicles, fuel can leak onto the engine fuel rail.Fuel leakage close to a source of ignition may increase the risk of the vehicle catching fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe auxiliary coolant pump may seize up.This could lead to the pump overheating after the engine has been switched off with the risk that the vehicle could catch fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe additional coolant pump can block due to foreign particles in the cooling system.This can result in the pump overheating which could lead to a fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateIt is possible that, in isolated cases, oil arrives into the brake force amplifier through the vacuum hoses.This can lead to damage of the amplifier membrane and consequently to reduction of brake force, which could lead to an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Other; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
How often does the 2013 Audi A6 fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2013, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2013 Audi A6 owners report?
12 of the 52 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
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.
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
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…
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.
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.
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 .
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.
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…
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.
2013 AUDI A6. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POWER STEERING FAILURE. *LD *TR
VACUUM PUMP OIL LEAK (06J145100G). 76K MI, FOUND VIA MULTI POINT INSPECTION ON 10/25/18 (AUDI OF HONOLULU). VEHICLE PROD DATE: 07/2012, ENGINE CODE: CAEB, TRANSMISSION: 0BK, QUATTRO AWD. THE VACUUM PUMP, LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE IS LEAKING MOTOR OIL. EITHER THE INTERNAL SEALS OF THE PUMP OR GASKET IS FAULTY. MOTOR OIL IS LEAKING ONTO THE EXHAUST, TRANSMISSION, FIREWALL INSULATION, ENGINE BELLY PAN, TRANSMISSION MOUNTS/CROSSMEMBER, TRANSMISSION BELLY PAN, AND LOWER REAR OF ENGINE. UNDER MODERATE BRAKING, WHITE SMOKE WOULD APPEAR FROM UNDER THE HOOD (PRESSURE FORCING THE OIL THROUGH THE…
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR GOES OFF AND ON WHILE I'M DRIVING, EVEN WHEN THE SEAT IS EMPTY. I KNOW THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS, BUT THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME MY CAR ISN'T COVERED. I FALL UNDER THE YEAR AND MAKE OF THE RECALL, WHY ISN'T MY CAR COVERED?
2013 Audi A6: questions owners ask
Is the 2013 Audi A6 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 52 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Audi A6; the most common categories were air bags (18, 34.6%), engine (15, 28.8%), electrical system (7, 13.5%). There are 6 safety recalls. 2 complaints mention a crash, 2 mention a fire, 2 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Audi A6?
Across 52 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are air bags (34.6% of complaints), engine (28.8% of complaints), electrical system (13.5% of complaints), fuel/propulsion system (13.5% of complaints), steering (13.5% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2013 Audi A6 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2013 Audi A6; the most recent (campaign 18V370000, 2018-06-04) concerns Air Bags: Sensor: Occupant Classification. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why is the airbag light on in my 2013 Audi A6?
12 of the 52 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Audi A6 (23.1%) describe airbag warning lights or airbag faults. 2 related recalls exist: campaign 18V370000 (air bags: sensor: occupant classification). The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a PODS system repair kit, free of charge. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11351554, August 2020). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2013 Audi A6 overheat?
5 of the 52 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Audi A6 (9.6%) describe the engine overheating or coolant loss. 2 related recalls exist: campaign 18V229000 (engine and engine cooling: cooling system). The fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. One owner wrote: "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" (NHTSA complaint 11434309, September 2021). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why is the check engine light on in my 2013 Audi A6?
4 of the 52 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Audi A6 (7.7%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "Vehicle began shaking, driving very rough and check engine light came and epc lights came on the dash. car was not drivable. this happened less than two months after i had the water pump replaced for leakage and failure (which has now been recalled)." (NHTSA complaint 11144967, November 2018). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why is my 2013 Audi A6 burning or losing oil?
3 of the 52 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Audi A6 (5.8%) describe excessive oil consumption or oil leaks. One owner wrote: "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 &…" (NHTSA complaint 11375555, November 2020). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does the power steering fail or feel heavy on my 2013 Audi A6?
3 of the 52 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Audi A6 (5.8%) describe power steering failing, locking up or turning heavy. One owner wrote: "Tl* the contact owns a 2013 audi a6. while backing the vehicle out of the driveway at 5 mph and attempting to turn left, the vehicle failed to turn. the contact pulled back into the driveway, turned off, and restarted the vehicle." (NHTSA complaint 10838469, February 2016). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Have any 2013 Audi A6 vehicles caught fire?
3 of the 52 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Audi A6 (5.8%) describe the car catching fire or melting wiring. One owner wrote: "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 &…" (NHTSA complaint 11375555, November 2020). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own A6
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2013 only.