2013 Audi A6 Reliability Report
NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026
Ranks 18th of 22 A6 years we score.
- Owner complaints
- 94
- 9 are recall notices
- Per 10,000 cars
- 40.4
- 21,059 made for the U.S.
- Vs the average car
- 1.3×
- same age, 1× is average
- Serious outcomes
- 40
- crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
- Recalls
- 8
- NHTSA crash rating
- –
Should You Buy the 2013 Audi A6?
Only after careful checks. Our reliability score for the 2013 Audi A6 is 68 out of 100, which rates Caution. Owners reported about 1.3 times as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 18th of the 22 A6 years we score.
The most reported problem is the turbocharger, mostly stalling (31 of 94 complaints). Owners also complain about the occupant sensor and the cooling system. 40 of the 94 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.
It has 8 recalls. Audi also offers seven warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the engine, steering and driver assistance systems. For comparison, the 2012 scores 70 and the 2014 scores 71.
Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask an Audi dealer about warranty extension AWA-13-07 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.
Pros
- No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
- 7 Audi warranty extensions may cover repairs
Cons
- About 1.3 times the problems of the average car its age
- Turbocharger: stalling31 complaints
- Passenger airbag sensor: stopped working12 complaints
- Cooling system: overheating7 complaints
How the 2013 A6 Earned Its Score
Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score
| Item | Vs average | Points lost |
|---|---|---|
| Starting score | 100 | |
| Serious problems | 1.3× | −12 |
| Everyday problems | 1.1× | −5 |
| Problems in the last two years | 0.91× | −8 |
| Recalls | 1.4× | −7 |
| Score | 68 |
What Owners Report
We read all 94 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Audi A6, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first. A complaint that describes more than one problem is counted under each, so the counts add up to more than 94.
Turbocharger: stalling
31 complaints (33%)
Stalling, a failure and a loss of power. 21 of these 31 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 62,000 miles.
Passenger airbag sensor: stopped working
12 complaints (13%)
A feature that stopped working, problems that come and go and a failure that needed a new part. In 3 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 72,000 miles.
Cooling system: overheating
7 complaints (7%)
Overheating, a leak and a failure that needed a new part. Median mileage when it started: about 63,000 miles.
Turbo oil strainer failure
7 complaints (7%)
A failure. Median mileage when it started: about 53,000 miles.
Steering: locking up
7 complaints (7%)
Locking up, a feature that stopped working and pulling or wandering. 4 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of steering control. In 3 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 11,000 miles.
Fuel system: a leak
6 complaints (6%)
A leak, a failure and a stored fault code.
Wiring, fuses or body control module: fault code
6 complaints (6%)
A stored fault code, a loss of power and rust or corrosion. 1 of these 6 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 58,000 miles.
Airbag warning light
3 complaints (3%)
Warning lights and problems that come and go.
Transmission: a leak
3 complaints (3%)
A leak and reduced power or limp mode. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Engine failure
2 complaints (2%)
A failure that needed a new part and stalling. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
2 complaints (2%)
Burning or using oil.
Engine oil leak
2 complaints (2%)
A leak.
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
2 complaints (2%)
Surging and hesitation. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Reported Once (31)
Show the 31 problems reported once
- A/C: smoke or a burning smell
- A/C compressor: unusual noises
- PCV valve or crankcase breather failure
- Brake power assist: a leak
- Brakes: early wear
- Control arm bushings: early wear
- Several warning lights at once
- Engine: rough running or misfires
- Engine (misfire codes): rough running or misfires
- Exterior lights: wrong readings
- Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
- Fuel pump: a leak
- Fuel leak
- Fumes in cabin (cause not stated)
- Ignition coils or spark plugs: parts breaking or coming apart
- Screen and audio: stopped working
- Instrument cluster: fault code
- Loss of power (cause not stated)
- PVC valve failure
- Interior lights: stopped working
- Piston rings: damage
- Seat belts: warning lights
- Side blind zone alert: stopped working
- Stall (cause not stated)
- Car not starting (cause not stated)
- Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
- Tires: parts breaking or coming apart
- Transmission computer: damage
- Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
- Vibration (cause not stated)
- Wheel bearings: unusual noises
How the 2013 Audi A6 Compares With Other Years
The other A6 years of the 7th generation (C7), 2012 to 2018, and the years just before and after it.
| Year | Rating | Score | Vs average | Per 10k cars | Recalls | Most reported problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Caution | 63 | 2.8× | 59.0 | 7 | Alternator or charging failure |
| 2018 | Excellent | 85 | 0.33× | 8.5 | 2 | Cooling system: a leak |
| 2017 | Excellent | 80 | 0.54× | 13.0 | 4 | Steering: loss of steering control |
| 2016 | Good | 74 | 0.83× | 20.6 | 4 | Cooling system: a leak |
| 2015 | Good | 78 | 0.48× | 13.9 | 5 | Cooling system: a leak |
| 2014 | Good | 71 | 0.78× | 23.0 | 6 | Turbocharger failure |
| 2013 This year | Caution | 68 | 1.3× | 40.4 | 8 | Turbocharger: stalling |
| 2012 | Good | 70 | 0.88× | 28.4 | 8 | Cooling system: a leak |
| 2011 | Good | 78 | 0.52× | 15.2 | 3 | Seats: parts breaking or coming apart |
2013 Audi A6 Recalls
Eight recalls cover the 2013 Audi A6. The most recent was issued in March 2022: “Blocked Turbocharger Oil Strainer.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.
Blocked Turbocharger Oil Strainer
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.
NHTSA 22V178000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 23, 2022. By the second quarter of 2024, 79% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger's Air Bag May Deploy Improperly
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.
NHTSA 18V370000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 4, 2018. By the first quarter of 2020, 85% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Coolant Pump May Overheat or Short-Circuit
A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
NHTSA 18V229000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Apr 11, 2018. By the second quarter of 2020, 87% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel Line May Leak Fuel
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
NHTSA 17V781000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 6, 2017. By the second quarter of 2019, 84% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Coolant Pump May Overheat and Cause Fire
If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
NHTSA 17V002000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 3, 2017. By the second quarter of 2018, 92% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Engine Compartment Fuel Hose May Degrade and Leak
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
NHTSA 16V646000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Sep 7, 2016. By the first quarter of 2018, 87% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Show 2 more recalls
Passenger Seat Occupant Detection System May Fail
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. An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of occupant injury in a crash.
NHTSA 15V823000Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 8, 2015. By the second quarter of 2017, 92% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel Line Leak
A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.
NHTSA 13V450000Issued Sep 23, 2013. By the first quarter of 2015, 98% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
2013 Audi A6 Warranty Extensions and Programs
Audi has seven warranty extensions for the 2013 Audi A6, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the engine, steering and driver assistance systems. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which an Audi dealer can check.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-13-07
Carbon buildup in engine secondary air ports
- The problem:
- Carbon can build up in the engine's secondary air ports. Fault codes then turn on the check engine light, and the car can fail an emissions test.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer diagnoses the problem and, if needed, cleans the carbon out of the secondary air ports for free.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain 2009 to 2012 Audis with the 3.2 engine and 2009 to 2013 Audis with the 3.0T engine. Other causes of the warning light and damage from tuned engine computers are not covered.
- Coverage:
- 10 years or 120,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-19-03
Crankcase ventilation valve whistle and warning light
- The problem:
- The crankcase ventilation valve can fail. It causes a whistling noise in the engine bay and turns on the check engine light.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer replaces the crankcase ventilation valve for free if it diagnoses the valve as faulty.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain 2013 to 2016 Audis with a 3.0 or 4.0 gasoline engine. Cars with a branded title, such as salvage, flood, rebuilt, fleet or lemon law buyback, or bought from a junkyard or body shop, are excluded.
- Coverage:
- 10 years or 120,000 miles from the in-service date, whichever comes first.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-19-06
Engine water pump failure, 2.0 engine
- The problem:
- The main engine water pump on the 2.0 EA888 engine can fail. A failed water pump can also damage the engine.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer repairs or replaces a failed water pump. Audi pays 5 to 100 percent of engine damage it caused, based on age and mileage.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain 2008 to 2014 Audis with the 2.0 EA888 engine in the class action settlement. The owner needs records showing the right coolant was used and checked on schedule, within 10 percent, or a signed declaration. Totaled cars are excluded.
- Coverage:
- 10 years or 100,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-21-03
Electromechanical steering unit malfunction
- The problem:
- The electromechanical steering unit can malfunction. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer repairs or replaces a malfunctioning steering unit, with any parts and labor needed.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain 2012 to 2015 A4, Q5, SQ5 and A6. Cars already repaired still qualify, but totaled cars do not.
- Coverage:
- 10 years or 125,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-21-04
Turbocharger failure
- The problem:
- The turbo can fail. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer repairs or replaces a failed turbo, with any parts and labor needed.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain settlement class cars: 2013 to 2016 A4 sedan and allroad, 2013 to 2017 A5 and Q5, and 2012 to 2015 A6. Cars already repaired still qualify, but totaled cars do not. Each car's term depends on coolant pump work.
- Coverage:
- At least 14 months from April 12, 2021 or a coolant pump recall. No miles are stated. Ask an Audi dealer for the exact terms.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-24-01
High oil use or fractured pistons
- The problem:
- 2012 to 2014 A4, A5, A6, Q5 and TT can use too much oil. On 2015 to 2017 A3 and 2016 to 2017 TT, a piston can fracture.
- The fix:
- Audi pays 75 percent of an Audi dealer's repair. Engine damage caused by the problem is paid at 25 to 100 percent, based on age and mileage.
- Who qualifies:
- Cars in the settlement class. The owner must prove oil maintenance within 10 percent of schedule during their ownership, or sign a sworn statement if records are missing. Ask an Audi dealer for the exact terms.
- Coverage:
- 9 years or 90,000 miles from the in-service date, whichever comes first. Cars past 9 years on January 29, 2024 got until April 8, 2024.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-24-04
Automatic emergency braking system faults
- The problem:
- The automatic emergency braking, or AEB, system can malfunction when its control unit, a camera, the LIDAR or a sensor fails.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer repairs the AEB fault and Audi pays 75 percent of the cost. Damage from crashes, impacts, moved sensors or weather is not covered.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain Audis covered by the settlement, with a confirmed fault in the AEB control unit, cameras, LIDAR or sensors. If the new car warranty's time ran out by May 16, 2024, the extension's time limit was November 16, 2024.
- Coverage:
- Up to 12 months or 12,000 miles after the new car warranty ends. Ask an Audi dealer for the exact terms.
2013 Audi A6 NHTSA Investigations
NHTSA has opened two investigations that cover the 2013 Audi A6. One led to a recall and one other has closed.
Engine stalling after turbocharger failure
ClosedNHTSA's preliminary evaluation looked into sudden engine stalls in 2013-2016 Audi A8, S6, S7, S8 and RS7 cars with 4.0L twin-turbo engines. Owners said turbochargers failed when a clogged oil strainer cut off oil. The strainer is hard to reach for service. NHTSA and Audi had about 824 reports of these stalls. NHTSA upgraded it to an engineering analysis.
NHTSA PE21009Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Mar 29, 2021 to May 27, 2022
Turbocharger failures from a clogged oil strainer
Led to a recallNHTSA's engineering analysis looked into engine stalls in 2013-2016 Audi A8, S6, S7, S8 and RS7 cars with 4.0L twin-turbo engines. Audi filed recall 22V-178 to replace the oil strainer with a larger mesh one. Cars built since 2017 with that strainer had no reported turbo failures from oil starvation. NHTSA closed the analysis, citing the recall.
NHTSA EA22001Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Apr 4, 2022 to May 26, 2023
Check Before You Buy
A checklist for the 2013 A6, from its eight recalls, seven Audi warranty extensions that may still apply and the problems owners report most.
Confirm the Recalls Were Done
Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.
- Blocked Turbocharger Oil Strainer NHTSA 22V178000
- Passenger's Air Bag May Deploy Improperly NHTSA 18V370000
- Coolant Pump May Overheat or Short-Circuit NHTSA 18V229000
- Fuel Line May Leak Fuel NHTSA 17V781000
- Coolant Pump May Overheat and Cause Fire NHTSA 17V002000
- Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 8 recalls and which are still open.
Ask an Audi Dealer
Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.
- AWA-13-07: carbon buildup in engine secondary air ports
- AWA-19-03: crankcase ventilation valve whistle and warning light
- AWA-19-06: engine water pump failure, 2.0 engine
- AWA-21-03: electromechanical steering unit malfunction
- AWA-21-04: turbocharger failure
- AWA-24-01: high oil use or fractured pistons
- AWA-24-04: automatic emergency braking system faults
On the Test Drive
- Listen for whistling and watch for reduced-power warnings.
- With an adult in the front passenger seat, the passenger airbag-off light should stay off.
- Check the coolant level and watch the temperature gauge on the test drive.
Ask the Seller
Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.
- Turbocharger
- Occupant sensor
- Cooling system
- Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.
Before You Pay
- Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
- Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
- Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.
What to do next