YearToAvoid

2016 Audi S6 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2016 Audi S6 ranks 3rd worst out of 17 model years with a complaint index of 88 and an Avoid verdict. Engine problems dominate, making up 74% of its 19 complaints, tied to two recalls covering turbocharger oil starvation and airbag seat wear.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
88/100
#3 of 17 S6 years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
19
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2017
lowest-risk (no Good/Best year)
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21
18 city / 27 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2016 Audi S6 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine14 (74%)
  2. Other4 (21%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain3 (16%)
  4. Electrical System2 (11%)
  5. Brakes1 (5%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (5%)
  7. Fuel System1 (5%)
  8. Steering1 (5%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (5%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Turbochargers lose oil supply when the oil filter screen clogs, leading to bearing failure and destroyed turbine and compressor wheels.
  • Drivers report sudden loss of power or complete engine stall at highway speed, sometimes while merging or accelerating in traffic.
  • The transmission hesitates for about a second after downshifting, then suddenly re-engages and lurches the car forward, especially between 20 and 30 mph.
  • A low-mileage car caught fire in a driveway minutes after being parked and turned off, with the electrical system suspected.
  • Power steering has locked up mid-drive after a steering malfunction warning, cutting engine power and making the car hard to steer.
  • A brake caliper's steel crossover tube corroded and failed, causing a sudden loss of brake fluid and braking capability.
2016 Audi S6 complaints: complaints filed per month5Jul 2015May 2019Apr 2021Dec 2021Jul 2022Sep 2023Jun 2024Nov 2025
19 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2015 to Nov 2025; peak Apr 2021 (5).

2016 Audi S6 recalls

2 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.

2016 Audi S6 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18 MPG
Highway
27 MPG
Combined
21 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,800
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.

2016 compared with other S6 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’07’08’09’10’11’13’14’15’16’17’18’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Avoid9420320
2015Avoid755220
2016Avoid8819221
2017Caution635221
2018No verdict564118

All Audi S6 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Audi S6 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 S6 ranks 3rd worst of 17 model years with a complaint index of 88, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other S6 years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Audi S6?
Engine issues dominate, accounting for 74% of complaints (14 of 19), mostly turbocharger oil starvation with a median failure mileage of 56,000 miles.
Does the 2016 Audi S6 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists two recalls: one for a turbocharger oil supply strainer that can block and starve the bearings of oil, and one for airbag seat wear affecting basic seats.
How does the 2016 S6 compare to other Audi S6 years?
The 2013 model year has the highest complaint index at 100, followed by 2014 at 94, then 2016 at 88; the 2016 S6 is worse than the 2015, 2017, and most other S6 years listed.
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Audi S6?
EPA rates the 2016 S6 at 21 mpg combined (18 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,800.

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.