Head-to-head reliability
AUDI S6 vs Toyota Camry
How the AUDI S6 and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
AUDI S6 vs Toyota Camry: The Audi S6 has 39 complaints over 10 years (3.9/year) and 30 recalls, while the Toyota Camry has 2,056 complaints (205.6/year) and 31 recalls. The S6's issues often involve engine and electrical failures that can cause stalling, whereas the Camry's complaints include power train hesitation and brake problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI S6 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI S6
The Audi S6 is a high-performance luxury sedan that can be costly to maintain as it ages. Over 10 years, it has 39 complaints (about 3.9 per year) and 30 recalls, with engine issues being the most common. Owners report sudden power loss and turbo failures, often with little warning. While there are no reported injuries or deaths in the data, the potential for stalling while driving is a serious concern.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream family sedan known for reliability, but the data shows a high volume of complaints: 2,056 over 10 years (about 206 per year) and 31 recalls. The most frequent issues involve the power train, engine, and brakes, with reports of hesitation, shuddering, and brake problems. There are also 171 crash-related complaints, 158 injuries, and 1 death, indicating that some defects may have serious consequences.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI S6 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 39 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 30 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 3.9 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
AUDI S6
- 01ENGINE21
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
- 04STEERING4
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM4
Owners report clogged oil screens that starve the turbochargers of oil, leading to turbo failure and engine stalling. This can cause sudden power loss while driving, which is dangerous and expensive to repair.
Complaints include sudden electrical shutdowns where the vehicle loses power and turns off without warning, sometimes in heavy rain. This can leave drivers unable to steer or accelerate, creating a major crash risk.
Some owners experience steering system faults, often accompanied by warnings like 'Steering System Fault.' This may result in loss of power steering assist, making the car harder to control.
There are reports of fuel system issues that can cause stalling or power loss. While less frequent, these problems can strand drivers and require costly diagnostics.
“OIL SCREEN INTERIOR OF ENGINE (NON-SERVICEABLE) CLOGGED WHICH PREVENTED TURBO CHARGERS FROM RECEIVING OIL. BOTH TURBO CHARGERS FAILED WHICH CAUSES ENGINE TO STALL. WAS DRIVING AT 25 MPH ON TWO LANE CITY STREET. ENGINE DIED, POWER WAS LOST, AND STEERED VEHICLE…”
“While driving my 2020 Audi S6, the vehicle suddenly lost power and completely shut off in the middle of the road without warning. There were no warning lights or messages beforehand. I was unable to accelerate or steer out of the way, which created a major cr…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent defects such as the ignition key getting stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove. Others describe hesitation and shuddering while driving, often with the check engine light on.
Complaints include delayed throttle response, where pressing the accelerator results in a several-second delay before the car moves. This can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic.
Some owners experience the electronic parking brake failing to disengage, requiring a tow. Others hear clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area, which dealers attribute to the ABS system but owners find abnormal.
Multiple system malfunctions are reported, including failures of stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping assistance. These can occur simultaneously, reducing driver confidence and safety.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
AUDI S6 — 30 recalls
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 Occ…
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 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.
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 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.
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 Occ…
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 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.
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7…
The risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
AUDI S6 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Audi S6 has far fewer complaints per year (3.9 vs. 205.6) and fewer crash-related reports (1 vs. 171), but its issues often involve sudden engine or electrical failures that can be dangerous. The Toyota Camry has many more complaints, but many are for less severe problems like brake noise or key sticking. In practice, the S6 may have fewer problems overall, but when they occur, they can be more serious and costly.
Key differences
- The Audi S6 has 39 complaints over 10 years, while the Toyota Camry has 2,056, but the S6's complaints often involve sudden engine or electrical failures that can cause stalling.
- The Camry has 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries, whereas the S6 has 1 crash-related complaint and no injuries, though the S6's failures could also lead to crashes.
- Engine issues are the top complaint for the S6 (21 reports), often turbo-related, while the Camry's top complaint is power train (385 reports), including hesitation and key sticking.
- Both have recalls for air bag sensors, but the S6 also has recalls for turbochargers and tires, while the Camry has recalls for wheels and seats.
- Check for any history of turbocharger failure or oil screen clogging, as these can lead to engine stalling; ask for maintenance records and consider a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the engine.
- Test all electrical systems thoroughly, including infotainment and driver aids, and look for any signs of sudden power loss or warning lights during a test drive.
- Test the ignition key operation to ensure it doesn't stick in Park, and check for any hesitation or shuddering during acceleration, which could indicate power train issues.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area and verify that the electronic parking brake engages and disengages properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and all available maintenance records for either car.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection performed by a mechanic who specializes in the brand, focusing on the known problem areas.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any warning lights, unusual noises, or delayed responses from the accelerator or brakes.
- For the Audi S6, specifically ask about turbocharger health and any extended warranties related to the crankcase ventilation valve.
- For the Toyota Camry, check for open recalls and ensure all safety recalls have been addressed by a dealer.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | AUDI S6 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 163 |
| 2024 | 0 | 50 |
| 2023 | 0 | 64 |
| 2022 | 0 | 61 |
| 2021 | 0 | 157 |
| 2020 | 2 | 274 |
| 2018 | 4 | 744 |
| 2017 | 5 | 148 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific AUDI S6 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI S6 vs Toyota Camry
- AUDI S6 total complaints
- 39
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- AUDI S6 total recalls
- 30
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- AUDI S6 avg complaints/year
- 3.9
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- AUDI S6
- AUDI S6 top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN