YearToAvoid

2014 Audi S6 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

92/100

#2 most-complained of 14 S6 years

The 2014 Audi S6 ranks 2nd worst out of 14 model years, with a Complaint Index of 92 and 20 complaints, 75% concerning the Engine. Three recalls apply, and median mileage at failure is 73,750, marking it an Avoid year relative to other S6 years.

Complaints
20
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
20
17 city / 27 hwy

Top 2014 Audi S6 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine15 (75%)
  2. Fuel System3 (15%)
  3. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (15%)
  4. Electrical System2 (10%)
  5. Steering2 (10%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain2 (10%)
  7. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (5%)
  8. Other1 (5%)

What owners report

  • Turbocharger bearings fail and can cause the engine to stall while slowing down, creating near-collision situations.
  • Turbo failure destroys the surrounding engine components, with owners reporting total engine loss around 64,000 miles.
  • Power steering assist cuts out unexpectedly, sometimes after driving through water or in cold weather, then returns to normal operation later.
  • Suspension fault codes trigger warning cascades affecting auto leveling, headlights, adaptive cruise, and lane keeping systems.
  • Engine mounts, transmission mounts, and suspension components have been replaced multiple times before higher mileage is reached.
  • LED brake lights are reported as excessively bright to drivers behind the vehicle at night.
2014 Audi S6 complaints: complaints filed per month6Jan 2014Sep 2019Sep 2020Apr 2021Feb 2022Jun 2022Aug 2022Jul 2023
29 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2014 to Jun 2025; peak Apr 2021 (6).

2014 Audi S6 recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  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.

  2. 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.

  3. NHTSA 13V450000Sep 23, 2013Fuel System3,594 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Audi S6 and S7 vehicles equipped with 4.0L engines. Due to manufacturing tolerance issues, a fuel line may leak fuel.

    Risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line, free of charge. The safety recall is planned to begin in late October 2013. Owners may contact Audi of America at 1-800-822-2834. Volkswagen's number for this campaign is 20U6/L8.

2014 Audi S6 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17 MPG
Highway
27 MPG
Combined
20 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,000
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.

2014 compared with other S6 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’13’14’15’16’17’18’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011No verdict00216
2013Avoid10042320
2014Avoid9220320
2015Caution625220
2016Avoid8519221

All Audi S6 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Audi S6 reliable?
NHTSA data ranks the 2014 S6 2nd worst out of 14 model years for owner complaints, with a Complaint Index of 92 and 20 complaints, 75% involving the Engine. This makes it an Avoid year relative to other S6 model years.
What problems does the 2014 Audi S6 have?
The top problem area is the Engine, accounting for 15 of 20 complaints (75%), with turbocharger bearing failures reported around a median mileage of 76,000. Fuel System, Suspension, and Steering issues were also reported.
Does the 2014 Audi S6 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists three recalls for the 2014 Audi S6: an engine turbocharger oil strainer recall (22V178000), an airbag/seat recall (18V370000), and a fuel line leak recall (13V450000). None are do-not-drive recalls.
What is the median mileage at failure for the 2014 Audi S6?
NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage at failure of 73,750 for the 2014 Audi S6, with Engine-specific complaints showing a median of 76,000 miles.
How does the 2014 Audi S6 compare to other years?
The 2014 S6 has a Complaint Index of 92, close behind the worst year, 2013, at 100. Better-scoring years include 2015 (62), 2017 (54), and 2018 (46).

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.