2016 Audi S6: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2016 Audi S6? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 19 complaints, with Engine Problems as the top reported area.
2016 Audi S6 Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA official fuel economy rating for the 2016 Audi S6.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions.
2016 Audi S6 Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
9% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
9% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2016 Audi S6 has 19 owner complaints, 0 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Engine Problems. NHTSA reliability signal: Good Record.
- Make
- Audi
- Model
- S6
- Model year
- 2016
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 19
- Crash-related complaints
- 0
- Safety recall campaigns
- 2
- Top reported component
- Engine Problems
- Reliability signal
- Good Record
- EPA MPG combined
- 21
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 18 / 27
- Fuel type
- Premium Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 5/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2016 Audi S6 Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Engine Problems
Uncategorized Issues
Transmission / Drivetrain
Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Uncategorized Issues, Transmission / Drivetrain. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2016 Audi S6?
The 2016 Audi S6 looks comparatively lower-risk based on complaint volume, but model-year averages do not confirm the condition of any specific used car.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2016 Audi S6
Inspection Focus
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine for any known issues before purchase.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine and transmission repairs.
- Test drive to check for transmission or drivetrain abnormalities.
Before You Close the Deal
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine for any known issues before purchase.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine and transmission repairs.
- Test drive to check for transmission or drivetrain abnormalities.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2016 Audi S6, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on 19 NHTSA complaints for the 2016 Audi S6, the data suggests that engine problems are the most frequently reported issue, accounting for the majority of complaints. Transmission and drivetrain concerns also appear, though less commonly. No crash-related complaints were filed, and the overall confidence in this analysis is low due to the limited sample size.
- Engine Problems account for the highest number of complaints among all components.
- Transmission/Drivetrain issues are the second most reported category.
- No crash-related complaints were recorded for this model year.
- Engine Problems
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Electrical Faults
All 2016 Audi S6 Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Audi S6. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 14 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Brake System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2016 Audi S6. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
The front passenger-side 6-piston Brembo caliper's (Part No. 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 …
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] ). The air strut fai…
We, a group of Audi S6 owners with vehicles from the 2013-2017 model years, are experiencing premature mechatronic issues. 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…
Hi - The Crankcase Ventilation Valve Extended Warranty [XXX] covers only ten years or 120k miles. My car has close to 160k miles. According to NHTSA or Audi, “Audi has determined that, in some vehicles, it is possible for the crankcase ventilation valve to malfunction, causing a …
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 vehi…
The contact owns a 2016 Audi S6. 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 paperwor…
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 t…
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. Audi is trying…
Loss of power on freeway, due to known turbo issue on these cars. Filter for turbo oil clogs, and burns the turbo's without warning causing loss of power. Not to mention it often sends metal into your engines oil and the repair for that is more than the car is worth.
The Passenger Side Turbo failed. Yes it’s available for inspection. I was driving and I felt a pop, like a backfire from under the hood. The car lost power instantly and was any under power anymore on the road. It could have been a lot worse if I was on a busy highway but luckily…
ON 09APR2021 I WAS DRIVING ON MY WAY TO PICK UP MY DOGS FROM DAYCARE. DURING MY RIDE THE CAR SEEMED HESITANT WITH POWER. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE DAYCARE AND PARKED THE CAR ESSENTIALLY SEEMED LIKE IT WAS CHOKING AND AT ONE POINT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF ON IT'S OWN. AFTER I PICKED UP MY …
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 TO AVOID COLLISIO…
I WAS ACCELERATING WITH TRAFFIC WHILE ON AN ON RAMP AND MERGING INTO BUSY TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE, WHEN SUDDENLY I LOST POWER AND MY CAR BEGAN TO DECELERATE AT A RAPID PACE. THERE WAS NO THROTTLE WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS BEING PRESSED. SECONDS AFTER THAT I LOST POWER TO THE CAR. …
POWER SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED. CLEAR LOSS OF BOOST. EVENTUAL COMPLETE ENGINE STALL. I WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE BEEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT WHEN THE ENGINE CUT OFF UNCOMMANDED. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THE TURBOS HAD FAILED DUE TO A LOSS OF…
BOTH MY TURBOS FAILED ON MY CAR ON CHRISTMAS DAY IN 2019. I WAS COMING HOME FROM DROPPING OFF MY DAUGHTER 90 MINUTES AWAY. AFTER LEAVING THE HIGHWAY AND STARTING TO MOVE ONCE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, MY CAR DECIDED TO COMPLETELY STALL. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER THE TO SHOULDER AS I …
TURBO FAILURE AT 60,000 MILES STATIONARY WOULD NOT START
TURBOCHARGER(S) FAILURE DUE TO OIL FILTER SCREEN CLOGGING WITH CONTAMINANTS AT 47000 MILES CAUSING TURBOCHARGER BEARING FAILURE DESTROYING THE TURBINE AND COMPRESSOR WHEELS ALONG WITH COMPRESSOR HOUSING AND EXHAUST MANIFOLDS. POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE OPERATED WHILE…
THIS WAS A LOW MILEAGE (9K) LESS THAN 1 YEAR OLD PRISTINE CONDITION AUDI S6. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES AND THEN PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY WHERE IT WAS TURNED OFF. THE DRIVER SAT IN THE VEHICLE FOR 5 MINUTES WITH THE ENGINE OFF PRIOR TO EXITING THE VEHICLE. BETWE…
THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WAY THE S6 DOWNSHIFTS WHICH MAKES DRIVING UNSAFE. A DOWNSHIFT IS FOLLOWED BY ABOUT 1 SECOND OF THE TRANSMISSION NOT BEING ENGAGED (SO NO POWER TO THE WHEELS) AND THEN SUDDENLY THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED AND THE CAR VIOLENTLY THRUSTS FORWARD. THE I…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2016 Audi S6.
2016 Audi S6 Recalls
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2016 Audi S6. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2016 Audi S6 Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2016 Audi S6 reliable?▾
Good Record. NHTSA currently shows 19 owner complaints, 0 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2016 Audi S6 looks comparatively lower-risk based on complaint volume, but model-year averages do not confirm the condition of any specific used car. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Audi S6?▾
#1: Engine Problems (14 complaints). #2: Uncategorized Issues (4 complaints). #3: Transmission / Drivetrain (3 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2016 Audi S6?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2016 Audi S6?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2016 Audi S6, NHTSA complaints include 0 crash-related reports and 1 fire reports out of 19 total complaints. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2016 Audi S6 have any recalls?▾
Yes. 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2016 Audi S6. A major recall area is AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2016 Audi S6?▾
The 2016 Audi S6 looks comparatively lower-risk based on complaint volume, but model-year averages do not confirm the condition of any specific used car. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Engine Problems during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Audi S6 reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2016 Audi S6 based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.