2013 Audi A6 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
93/100
#2 most-complained of 16 A6 years
The 2013 Audi A6 has a Complaint Index of 93 and ranks 2nd worst out of 16 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. It logged 52 complaints, 6 recalls, 2 crashes, and 2 fires, with Airbags as the top problem area at 35% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 52
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 20 city / 30 hwy
Top 2013 Audi A6 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy during a frontal crash despite a severe impact that cracked the windshield.
- Some owners reported unintended acceleration while backing up or approaching stops, in one case leading to a garage wall collision.
- Electrical smoke and a burning rubber smell came from the dashboard air vents while driving.
- Engine compartment smoke appeared alongside an overheating warning, in a vehicle the dealer said was excluded from a related recall.
- The steering wheel reportedly seized during low-speed turns, triggering a do-not-drive steering warning message.
- Owners noted excessive oil consumption requiring added oil well before the next scheduled service.
2013 Audi A6 recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V370000Jun 4, 2018Airbags139,249 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
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.
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.
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.
- NHTSA 18V229000Apr 11, 2018Engine342,867 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 17V781000Dec 6, 2017Fuel System48,693 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Audi A6 and A7 vehicles. The fuel line has a compression point that can weaken, potentially resulting in a fuel leak.
Risk: 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.
2013 Audi A6 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 30 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other A6 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Audi A6 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2013 Audi A6 ranks 2nd worst among 16 model years of the A6, with a Complaint Index of 93 and an Avoid verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Audi A6?
- Airbags account for 35% of complaints, followed by Engine issues at 31%, with Electrical System and Fuel System problems each making up 15%.
- Does the 2013 Audi A6 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2013 Audi A6, covering airbags, engine coolant pump software, and fuel line/hose leaks.
- At what mileage do 2013 Audi A6 problems typically appear?
- The median mileage at failure across reported issues is 60,935.5 miles, though Steering complaints show a much lower median of 11,050 miles.
- How does the 2013 Audi A6 compare to other years?
- The 2013 model's Complaint Index of 93 is worse than the 2010 (33), 2011 (47), 2017 (27), and 2018 (20) model years, which rank as Good or Best.