CSR

Audi · NHTSA safety record

2014 Audi S6

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

20

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2014 Audi S6 have filed 20 safety complaints with NHTSA between January 2014 and June 2025. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 14 of them (70%). The typical failure was reported at 73,750 miles, the median across the 10 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 3 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (3)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

22V178000 · March 23, 2022

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 26,093 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

18V370000 · June 4, 2018

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 139,249 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

13V450000 · September 23, 2013

The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Audi S6 and S7 vehicles equipped with 4.0L engines. Due to manufacturing tolerance issues, a fuel line may leak fuel.
The risk
A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.
The remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line, free of charge. The safety recall is planned to begin in late October 2013. Owners may contact Audi of America at 1-800-822-2834. Volkswagen's number for this campaign is 20U6/L8.

Volkswagen of America, Inc. · up to 3,594 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (2)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Engine Stall - Turbo Failure

EA22001

Closed engineering analysis · opened April 4, 2022 · closed May 26, 2023

the engine and its cooling

On March 29, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE 21-009) after the agency received 58 reports alleging engine stalling in 2013-2016MY Audi vehicle models A8, S6, S7, S8 & RS7 equipped with the 4.0L, twin-turbocharged engine. Complainants reported the vehicles would stall with no warning while driving at highway or city traffic speeds. Several of the complainants alleged an inability to restart. The complaints alleged the major contributing factor to the engine stalling was the failure of the turbochargers. The complaints cited the turbocharger failure was a result of oil starvation due to a clogged oil strainer in the turbocharger oil supply line.The location of the oil strainer in the turbocharger oil supply line is in the inner valley of the engine. It is not easily accessible, making servicing the component difficult. The oil strainer removes particles and carbon deposits from the oil before lubricating the turbochargers. Over time, if the debris is not removed from the oil strainer, it becomes clogged and prevents oil from flowing to the turbochargers. This causes the turbine bushings to run dry and overheat resulting in turbine shaft failure due to thermal stress.On April 04, 2022, PE21-009 was upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA22-001) to further assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety related consequences of the alleged defect. Volkswagen filed recall 22V-178 to replace the 30?m mesh oil strainer with a 90?m mesh oil strainer in the subject vehicles. VW introduced the larger mesh oil strainer into production in March of 2017 effecting the 2017-2018MY vehicles.ODI reviewed information from VW for vehicles that had the larger mesh installed in production. The data received showed, since the new oil strainer size of 90?m went into production for the 2017-2018MY, there has not been any reported incidents of turbocharger failures due to oil starvation or other failures that could be related to the larger screen mesh. In view of the recall being conducted by VW and lack of any detrimental side effect to the turbocharger caused by the larger mesh, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis (EA). The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.11502847,11506565,11494663,11488813,11486393,11480926,11479882,11476289,11466761 11464663,11463254,11460580,11460496,11458973,11458804,11457556,11454753,11452668 11452589,11452584,11452383,11452175,11452111,11451724,11451724,11450995,11450988 11449661,11447092,11443657,11442867,11440536,11440052,11439959,11438691,11436461 11435619,11433925,11433733,11432336,11431661,11431421,11429704,11429584,11428128 11426929,11424203,11423603,11423337,11422431,11421084,11420626,11420342,11419693 11418884,11418437,11418433,11418135,11417635,11417351,11416095,11414578,11414235 11414064,11413359,11413285,11413214,11407510,11407450,11406897,11406821,11406637 11406460,11406416,11406291,11406287,11406277,11406273,11406263,11406256,11406251 11406229,11406222,11406208,11406204,11406197,11406182,11406015,11404665,11404426 11404348,11403823,11403430,11403268,11402684,11399435,11397821,11396241,11394763 11391037

Engine Stall - Turbo Failure

PE21009

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened March 29, 2021 · closed May 27, 2022 · led to recall 22V178000

the engine and its cooling

On March 29, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 21-009 after the agency received 58 reports alleging engine stalling in 2013-2016MY Audi vehicle models A8, S6, S7, S8 & RS7. The subject vehicles are equipped with 4.0L, twin-turbocharged engine. Complainants reported that the vehicles stall suddenly with no warning while driving on the highway or in city traffic. Several of the complainants alleged an inability to restart. The complaints allege the major contributing factor to the engine stalling is the failure of the turbochargers. The complaints further allege the turbocharger failure is a result of oil starvation due to a clogged oil strainer.The location of the oil strainer in the turbocharger oil supply line is in the inner valley of the engine. It is not easily accessible, making regular service difficult. The oil strainer removes dirty particles and carbon deposits from the oil before flowing to lubricate the Turbochargers. Overtime if the debris are not removed from the oil strainer, it clogs the strainer and prevents free flow of oil to the turbochargers and makes the turbine bushings to run dry and overheat which causes the turbine shaft to break due to thermal stress. In VW's response to ODI's Information Request letter, VW provided approximately 611 warranty claims with unique VINs, 70 Field Reports and 45 Consumer complaints. These reports allege engine stalling due to turbocharger failure similar to the NHTSA reports described above. To date, NHTSA has received approximately 98 allegations of stall due to turbocharger failures. The total of 824 reports shown in the table above eliminates duplicate reports received by both ODI and the manufacturer.This Preliminary Evaluation is being upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA) to further assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety related consequences of the alleged defect of engine stalling due to turbocharger failureThe ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.NHTSA.gov under the following ODI identification numbers:11452589, 11452584, 11452383, 11450995, 11450988, 11449661, 11447092, 11442867 11440536, 11440052, 11439959, 11438691, 11436461, 11435619, 11431661, 11429704 11429584, 11426929, 11424203, 11423603, 11423337, 11421084, 11420626, 11420342 11418884, 11418437, 11418433, 11417635, 11417351, 11416095, 11414235, 11413359 11413214, 11413285, 11413133, 11407510, 11407450, 11407289, 11406821, 11406416 11406291, 11406277, 11406273, 11406256, 11406251, 11406229, 11406222, 11406204 11406197, 11406182, 11404665, 11404426, 11404348, 11403430, 11403268, 11399435 11397821, 11396241, 11394763, 11391037, 11388662, 11387166, 11377446, 11363283 11354107, 11344193, 11342497, 11342360, 11340302, 11325065, 11324163, 11322168, 11321144, 11318477, 11306754, 11279429, 11268109, 11256706, 11252723, 11246579 11234853, 11234714, 11231582, 11231013, 11230589, 11229484, 11222281, 11218822 11218749, 11217604, 11209168, 11209142, 11197149, 11191243, 11175842, 11170776 11164032, 11152418.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 20.

ENGINE 14 70%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 3 15%
SUSPENSION 3 15%
POWER TRAIN 2 10%
STEERING 2 10%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 1 5%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 1 5%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1 5%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 5%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 1 5%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2021 at 6.

2014 2021 2025
2014 to 2025

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 injured

I WAS DRIVING BEHIND AN AUDI S6 (ONE OF THE NEWER MODELS WITH FULL LED LIGHTING) AT NIGHT. I FOUND ITS LED BRAKE LIGHTS BLINDINGLY BRIGHT. THE DRIVING LIGHTS ARE VERY BRIGHT BY THEMSELVES, BUT THEY'RE BORDERLINE TOLERABLE, HOWEVER BRAKE LIGHTS WHEN THEY COME ON ARE EXTREMELY BRIGHT - I COULD NOT LOOK AT THAT CAR WHEN DRIVING BEHIND IT, IT WAS TOO PAINFUL TO LOOK AT. I HAD TO TAKE MY EYES OFF THAT CAR AND OFF THE ROAD AHEAD OF ME AS A RESULT OF THIS FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. I COULD NOT HAVE THOSE TAILLIGHTS WITHIN MY FIELD OF VISION, THEY HURT EVEN WHEN I TRIED TO LOOK AWAY FROM THAT AUDI. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING BEHIND NEW AUDIS AND OTHER CARS THAT USE EXTREMELY BRIGHT LED

NHTSA complaint 10560763, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

1 injured · 62,000 miles

TURBO FAILURE - CAR STALLED WHILE SLOWING ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE, CAUSING MULTIPLE NEAR-COLLISIONS. AUDI IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND THE DANGERS OF THE FAILURE, BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE ISSUED MULTIPLE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS REGARDING THE ISSUE AND ADMITTING TO FAULTY PARTS CAUSING THE FAILURE. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR WORSE DUE TO LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLES ACCELERATION AND USE OF ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint 11222281. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

towed · 78,000 miles

The contact owns a 2014 Audi S6. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the turbocharger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the repair would not be covered due to aftermarket parts. No additional assistance was provided. The contact stated the failure was due to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V178000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

NHTSA complaint 11471978. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
I was driving hit a puddle of water, then all the sudden my power steering went out. I took it in to get looked at, and I'm being told it will cost several thousand dollars to fix the power steering. In addition, this vehicle has air in the suspension, but it now makes sounds when it lifts and takes a longer period of time to lift than normal. Something is effected in my suspension, as well. My vehicle only has 67,689 miles on it, and it should not be having power steering problems from driving through a puddle of water. Lastly, after calling in to Audi, they did a search for the warranty, and Audi did add an extended warranty on the power steering of 125,000 miles or 10 years, which ever

NHTSA complaint 11667752, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
I am writing to formally lodge a complaint regarding the persistent and premature failure of motor and transmission mounts on the 2014 Audi S6, manufactured and sold by [Automaker Company Name]. This issue has resulted in significant inconvenience and financial burden and, more importantly, poses profound safety implications for the passengers and drivers of affected vehicles. Background: I own a 2014 Audi S6 with Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): [XXX]. Since purchasing the vehicle in 2018, I have experienced repeated failures of the motor and transmission mounts at alarmingly low mileage intervals. The motor mounts have been malfunctioning and requiring replacement approximately every

NHTSA complaint 11526318, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Camshaft Actuator, Camshaft positioner, Camshaft sensors. No warning or dash lights, car abruptly stopped on Highway while traveling 65mph 15 hours after Audi replaced replaced both fuel pumps and oil screen recall fix. Inspection of entire vehicle was done at time of recall fix and fuel pumps replaced. This is the second time in 30k miles that the camshaft components failed without warning. This is a major job and very expensive. Why hasn't this issue been recalled?? This is a safety hazard and a public safety issue. This could have caused a fatal accident while I was driving my family the store.

NHTSA complaint 11480926. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Two months into owning the car, my turbo failed. Car was towed to dealership and are trying to charge me 11,000$. 2 weeks into owning vehicle. Noticed oil level at minimum. Call dealer and was advised to add oil. Never was told to come into service to have it checked. Upon further investigation, I had found out first week of august about recall. While and prior to purchasing. Dealership never informed me about any safety recalls. Previous owner had put on some aftermarket parts, which have nothing to do with faulty manufacture part. Oil strainer in turbo had failed and caused turbo failure. Dealer personnel have stated “There is nothing we can do for you. Your car is not eligible for a

NHTSA complaint 11479882, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
While driving, received notification of a suspension fault. Was able to drive vehicle home, and found code for suspension C104600. Cleared code, and didn't see it return. Car sat a few days, and next time it was driven, received cascade of MIL warnings for suspension auto leveling failure, auto leveling headlights, adaptive cruise, lane keeping, and auto braking. Console advised to keep speed below 35 MPH. Had to quickly exit the road as result. Limped vehicle home on side roads, found codes across multiple systems. Suspension would not raise, and all coda would immediately return upon clearing. Vehicle was evaluated by local shop, and diagnostics show failed suspension air compressor and

NHTSA complaint 11468065, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Audi S6

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2016 19 2
2013 42 3

Other 2014 Audi models

Every Audi on this site — 147 vehicles, 216 recall campaigns and 0 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
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