YearToAvoid

2013 Audi S6 Engine Problems

Engine problems account for 35 of 42 complaints (83%) filed against the 2013 Audi S6, mostly turbocharger failures tied to oil starvation. Median mileage at failure is 60,000, and NHTSA recall 22V178000 covers the turbocharger oil supply strainer.

Engine complaints
35
83% of 42
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
60,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Turbochargers fail or seize due to oil starvation from a clogged oil strainer, often leading to stalling.
  • Engine loses power suddenly at highway speed, sometimes triggering an EPC warning and requiring a tow.
  • Rough idle and shaking occur after normal driving, sometimes followed by difficulty restarting the engine.
  • Car stalls or shuts off in the roadway, occasionally after intermittent metallic startup sounds.
  • Owners report the engine going into limp mode before nearly stalling on the highway.

When 2013 Audi S6 engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jul 30, 2013, latest Mar 1, 2025.

2013 Audi S6 engine complaints: complaints filed per month6Jul 2013Apr 2019Sep 2019Sep 2020Apr 2021Jan 2022Mar 2025
35 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2013 to Mar 2025; peak Apr 2021 (6).

Engine recalls for the 2013 Audi S6

  1. NHTSA 22V178000Mar 23, 2022Engine26,093 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger

    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.

    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.

    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.

Engine complaints by S6 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20100 (0%)
  2. 20110 (0%)
  3. 201335 (83%)
  4. 201415 (75%)
  5. 20153 (60%)
  6. 201614 (74%)
  7. 20174 (80%)
  8. 20180 (0%)
  9. 20201 (50%)
  10. 20210 (0%)
  11. 20222 (50%)
  12. 20230 (0%)
  13. 20240 (0%)
  14. 20251 (33%)

Frequently asked questions

Are engine problems common on the 2013 Audi S6?
Yes. Engine complaints make up 35 of the 42 total complaints filed for the 2013 Audi S6, or 83% of all complaints for that year.
What is the main engine issue owners report?
Most owners describe turbocharger failure caused by oil starvation, often linked to a clogged oil strainer, which can cause the engine to stall or lose power.
At what mileage do engine failures typically occur?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 60,000 miles for the 2013 Audi S6 engine complaints.
Is there a recall for the 2013 Audi S6 engine?
Yes. Recall 22V178000 covers 2013-2017 A8, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, and 2014-2017 RS7 vehicles for a turbocharger oil supply strainer that can become blocked, causing bearing wear. Dealers replace the strainer and perform an oil change free of charge.
Were there any crashes, fires, or injuries linked to these engine complaints?
NHTSA data lists zero crashes, zero fires, and zero injuries among the 35 engine-related complaints for the 2013 Audi S6.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.