AI Damage2016 Audi S6: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Audi S6 filed 19 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and powertrain. The maker issued 567 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 19
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 567
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 68% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 16% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 5% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 5% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 5% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 5% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 5% of all complaints
- Engine: 13 complaints (68% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 33.
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (16% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 18.
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 116.
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (5% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 52.
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (5% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 34.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4 L · petrol · turbo · 8 cyl
- dual-clutch (DCT), 7-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 19 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 13 | 0 | 33 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 18 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 116 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 52 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 34 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 25 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 21 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 165 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 38 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 15 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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] ).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,274 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 39% least complained about).
On average one model year of the S6 has 3 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 19, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has…
This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
- This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations
- This TSB describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases
- This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer
- This bulletin provides infomraiton abou the Audi frequency analysis application, which is available in the…
This bulletin provides infomraiton abou the Audi frequency analysis application, which is available in the App Store for Android and Apple phones.
- This bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped
- This bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning
- This bulletin provides information when there is a paint issue on alloy wheels
- This bulletin provides information about leather care and seat repair
- This bulletin provides information about the general approach for brake vibration concerns
- This bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor
- This bulletin provides information on the GFF test plan required for AC compressor replacements regardless…
NHTSA lists 567 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Audi S6?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, powertrain, electrical system. Total complaints: 19. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: loss of power / limp mode (26%), infotainment or screen glitches (26%), stalls while driving (21%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Audi S6?
NHTSA lists 567 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Audi S6 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.