2013 Audi A6 Problems and Recalls (50 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2013 Audi A6 is Airbags (24% of 50 owner reports). There are 6 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Airbags — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 50 complaints · 6 recalls

What problems show up on the 2013 Audi A6?

12 of 50 filings named Airbags (24% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Engine (9 reports).

There are 6 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Airbags, Fuel system, and Engine. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2012 has 58 reports on file; this year has 50. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2013 Audi A6

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 6 campaigns on file below.
Airbags. Confirm the airbag light behaves normally and that open airbag recalls are closed.
Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
Fuel system. Check for fuel smell, leaks and whether it starts and idles cleanly.
Skim a few owner reports below for Airbags. Look for the same symptom repeating.
Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Airbags 12 complaints · 24.0% of the file

Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:

Crashes 1
Fires 2
Injuries 1
Deaths 0

All Audi A6 years →

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table

System / Component	Complaints	Share of Reports	Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Airbags (AIR BAGS)	12	24.0%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE)	9	18.0%	1 crashes · 1 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)	7	14.0%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Steering (STEERING)	6	12.0%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)	2	4.0%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)	1	2.0%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)	1	2.0%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Lane keeping (LANE DEPARTURE)	1	2.0%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)	1	2.0%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover	13	26.0%	0 crashes · 2 fires

NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

Campaign 17V002000 was reported 1,331 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
Campaign 17V781000 was reported 294 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
Campaign 18V229000 was reported 1,794 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
Campaign 18V370000 was reported 613 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.

View timeline records as a table

Date	Record type	Count	Record identifier
2013-Q2	Owner reports	1
2014-Q4	Owner reports	1
2015-Q1	Owner reports	2
2015-Q3	Owner reports	2
2016-Q1	Owner reports	1
2016-Q2	Owner reports	1
2016-Q3	Owner reports	1
2017-Q1	Owner reports	1
2017-Q3	Owner reports	1
2017-Q4	Owner reports	1
2018-Q1	Owner reports	1
2018-Q2	Owner reports	6
2018-Q3	Owner reports	6
2018-Q4	Owner reports	8
2019-Q1	Owner reports	2
2019-Q4	Owner reports	1
2020-Q2	Owner reports	2
2020-Q3	Owner reports	2
2020-Q4	Owner reports	2
2021-Q1	Owner reports	1
2021-Q3	Owner reports	1
2022-Q1	Owner reports	1
2023-Q1	Owner reports	1
2023-Q2	Owner reports	1
2023-Q3	Owner reports	1
2025-Q3	Owner reports	1
2025-Q4	Owner reports	1
Dec 2015	Recall campaign	1	15V823000
Sep 2016	Recall campaign	1	16V646000
Jan 2017	Recall campaign	1	17V002000
Dec 2017	Recall campaign	1	17V781000
Apr 2018	Recall campaign	1	18V229000
Jun 2018	Recall campaign	1	18V370000

NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (6)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Airbags, Fuel system, and Engine.

Recall campaign 15V823000

Airbags

Report date

Dec 8, 2015

Component:

Airbags (AIR BAGS)

Consequence:

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.

View authoritative NHTSA record →
Recall campaign 16V646000

Fuel system

Report date

Sep 7, 2016

Component:

Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)

Consequence:

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.

View authoritative NHTSA record →
Recall campaign 17V002000

Engine

Report date

Jan 3, 2017

Component:

Engine (ENGINE)

Consequence:

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.

View authoritative NHTSA record →
Recall campaign 17V781000

Fuel system

Report date

Dec 6, 2017

Component:

Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)

Consequence:

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.

View authoritative NHTSA record →
Recall campaign 18V229000

Engine

Report date

Apr 11, 2018

Component:

Engine (ENGINE)

Consequence:

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.

View authoritative NHTSA record →
Recall campaign 18V370000

Airbags

Report date

Jun 4, 2018

Component:

Airbags (AIR BAGS)

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 authoritative NHTSA record →

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07

Showing 8 of 50 complaints · page 1 of 2

2025-11-19Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)

NHTSA ODI 11700279

CrashFireInjuryDeath

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.

2025-09-28Airbags (AIR BAGS)

NHTSA ODI 11690179

CrashFireInjuryDeath

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.

2023-08-25Unclassified NHTSA leftover

NHTSA ODI 11540695

CrashFireInjuryDeath

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

2023-05-13Lane keeping (LANE DEPARTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover

NHTSA ODI 11521861

CrashFireInjuryDeath

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

2023-01-05Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)Unclassified NHTSA leftover

NHTSA ODI 11500302

CrashFireInjuryDeath

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.

2022-01-12Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)

NHTSA ODI 11447242

CrashFireInjuryDeath

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 something happen and get into an accident because of the steering lock up. Now they wont even take my wife audi because has the same recall that needs to be replaced. the only way they replace it is till it happens. So they waiting for my wifes car to lock up while driving and not have control of car and crash especially if my kids are with her because she takes them to school. What do i do please help? I also requested the total estimate to see how much I owe and they will not send it to me.

2021-09-24Unclassified NHTSA leftover

NHTSA ODI 11434309

CrashFireInjuryDeath

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

2021-01-27Engine (ENGINE)

NHTSA ODI 11390122

CrashFireInjuryDeath

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.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2013 Audi A6?

Owners named Airbags most often — 12 of 50 reports (24%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2013 Audi A6?

NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Airbags, Fuel system, and Engine. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2013 Audi A6?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Confirm the airbag light behaves normally and that open airbag recalls are closed. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21

Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources