Problem Lookup › Audi › S6 › 2016
Car problem report
2016 Audi S6 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2016 Audi S6 has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 2safety recalls
- 19owner complaints
- 0crash reports
- 1fire report
- 0injuries reported
19 complaints, against an average of 10 for the other 8 Audi S6 model years.
Every Audi S6 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2016 Audi S6?
The components named most often in the 19 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2016 Audi S6 owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 19 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2016 Audi S6 been recalled?
2 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine: Gasoline: Turbo/Supercharger 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
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.
What do 2016 Audi S6 owners report?
12 of the 19 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.
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.
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.
Hi - The Crankcase Ventilation Valve Extended Warranty [XXX] covers only ten years or 120k miles. My car has close to 160k miles. According to NHTSA or Audi, “Audi has determined that, in some vehicles, it is possible for the crankcase ventilation valve to malfunction, causing a whistling noise in the engine compartment and the MIL to illuminate due to the presence of specific fault codes caused by this component. This condition may impact the vehicle tailpipe emissions, and the presence of a MIL-on condition may cause the vehicle to fail an IM (smog) test.” This is causing the engine to rev…
While driving with my wife and kids, on the highway, in the rain a warning message was displayed. The warning stated: steering malfunction, please stop the vehicle!. At which point the power steering locked-up & the engine powered down. As a result, I was unable to steer the vehicle. Thankfully, I was able to “muscle” the car off the highway and onto a secondary roadway. Vehicle was towed. With the power steering locking-up and not being able to effectively steer the vehicle this is a HUGE safety issue and needs to be addressed with Audi. This could have ended tragically if it were to happen…
The contact owns a 2016 Audi S6. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V178000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the repair had been previously completed by an independent mechanic, a year prior to receiving the recall letter. The contact filed paperwork to be reimbursed after receiving the recall letter. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer, and the dealer stated that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The dealer had not performed the recall repair, stating that the vehicle had been modified. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. Parts…
I was driving my car and it stalled out in the middle of an intersection which was totally unsafe and it would barely start. I was able to limp it to safety but it would not run or idle correctly. I had it towed to the local Audi dealership and they diagnosed the issue as being the turbos. The turbos failed and need to be replaced. The obvious known issue with the oil screen starving the turbos and causing collateral damage is well documented hence Audi issued an extended warranty on turbos and the recall on the oil screen however the dealer is refusing to do any repair and has had the vehicle…
I am having a transmission malfunction warning light on the dashboard that comes on. The car will not shift gears which is dangerous when driving in streets/highway. This is a known issue with the Audi S6 and related models and a class action lawsuit is in process. Audi is trying to charge few thousands dollars $8000-$12,000 to replace the mechatronic and clutch transmission system which is very prone to failure. Thank you
Loss of power on freeway, due to known turbo issue on these cars. Filter for turbo oil clogs, and burns the turbo's without warning causing loss of power. Not to mention it often sends metal into your engines oil and the repair for that is more than the car is worth.
The Passenger Side Turbo failed. Yes it’s available for inspection. I was driving and I felt a pop, like a backfire from under the hood. The car lost power instantly and was any under power anymore on the road. It could have been a lot worse if I was on a busy highway but luckily was on a street with do one behind me. It was confirmed it was the turbo failure and the turbo has been inspected. No warning lamps or any prior symptoms before hand. Once it happened it started throwing warning lights for pretty much everything. Limited slip diff, air bags, EPC, TPMS, check engine light and traction…
ON 09APR2021 I WAS DRIVING ON MY WAY TO PICK UP MY DOGS FROM DAYCARE. DURING MY RIDE THE CAR SEEMED HESITANT WITH POWER. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE DAYCARE AND PARKED THE CAR ESSENTIALLY SEEMED LIKE IT WAS CHOKING AND AT ONE POINT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF ON IT'S OWN. AFTER I PICKED UP MY DOG I TRIED STARTING THE CAR AND IT TOOK 3 ATTEMPTS FOR IT TO START. ON THE WAY HOME I HAD TO TRY AND KEEP THE CAR IN MOTION IN ORDER TO KEEP THE ENGINE ON, SO EVERY RED LIGHT WAS A GAME. MOVING THOUGH RUSH OUR IN THE CITY WAS VERY DIFFICULT AND THE CARE NEARLY DIED 3 TIMES. I MADE IT HOME AND THE CAR TURNED OFF ON…
THIS WAS A LOW MILEAGE (9K) LESS THAN 1 YEAR OLD PRISTINE CONDITION AUDI S6. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES AND THEN PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY WHERE IT WAS TURNED OFF. THE DRIVER SAT IN THE VEHICLE FOR 5 MINUTES WITH THE ENGINE OFF PRIOR TO EXITING THE VEHICLE. BETWEEN 5 TO 10 MINUTES AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE WE SMELLED SMOKE IN THE HOUSE. WE DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE HAD FLAME AND SMOKE EMANATING FROM UNDER ITS HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES AS WE WERE UNABLE TO DO SO WITH A GARDEN HOSE. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BURNED. IT WAS CLASSIFIED AS TOTALED. THE…
THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WAY THE S6 DOWNSHIFTS WHICH MAKES DRIVING UNSAFE. A DOWNSHIFT IS FOLLOWED BY ABOUT 1 SECOND OF THE TRANSMISSION NOT BEING ENGAGED (SO NO POWER TO THE WHEELS) AND THEN SUDDENLY THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED AND THE CAR VIOLENTLY THRUSTS FORWARD. THE ISSUE IS MORE PROFOUND WHEN DOWNSHIFTING 3RD TO 2ND AT ABOUT 20-30 MPH AND CAN RESULT IN REAR-ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT. APPARENTLY MANY S6 OWNERS FACE THE SAME ISSUE. AUDI HAS FIXED IT IN 2013 MODELS WITH SOFTWARE UPDATE BUT THE ISSUE HAPPENS AGAIN IN THE LATEST MODELS.
2016 Audi S6: questions owners ask
Is the 2016 Audi S6 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 19 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Audi S6; the most common categories were engine (13, 68.4%), power train (3, 15.8%), electrical system (2, 10.5%). There are 2 safety recalls. 1 mentions a fire.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Audi S6?
Across 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (68.4% of complaints), power train (15.8% of complaints), electrical system (10.5% of complaints), engine and engine cooling (5.3% of complaints), forward collision avoidance (5.3% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2016 Audi S6 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2016 Audi S6; the most recent (campaign 22V178000, 2022-03-23) concerns Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine: Gasoline: Turbo/Supercharger. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2016 Audi S6 stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
8 of the 19 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Audi S6 (42.1%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "I was driving my car and it stalled out in the middle of an intersection which was totally unsafe and it would barely start. I was able to limp it to safety but it would not run or idle correctly." (NHTSA complaint 11476289, July 2022). 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.
Does the 2016 Audi S6 have turbo problems?
3 of the 19 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Audi S6 (15.8%) describe turbocharger failure or turbo noise. One owner wrote: "The Passenger Side Turbo failed. Yes it’s available for inspection. I was driving and I felt a pop, like a backfire from under the hood. The car lost power instantly and was any under power anymore on the road." (NHTSA complaint 11418135, May 2021). 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 S6
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), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2016 only.