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2013 Audi A6Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 52 owner complaints about the 2013 Audi A6, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 17V-781 the manufacturer reports only 84% of affected cars repaired.

55
CarFlaw IndexSolid year18% below the A6 median · #11 of 27 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Lowest repair rate 84%Owner complaints526 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage66kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 19, 2025. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2013 Audi A6 has problems

52 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags182
Engine151
Steering70
Fuel/propulsion system70
Electrical system71
Seats30
Service brakes20
Power train20
Tires10
9 other systems93

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

6 recalls

2013 Audi A6 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

85%repaired · 2020 Q1

Sensor: occupant classification

Recall 18V-370 · Jun 4, 2018 · 139,249 vehicles · 117,762 repaired

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

87%repaired · 2020 Q2

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system

Recall 18V-229 · Apr 11, 2018 · 342,867 vehicles · 298,681 repaired

Risk. A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

84%repaired · 2019 Q2

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 17V-781 · Dec 6, 2017 · 48,693 vehicles · 41,067 repaired

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

92%repaired · 2018 Q2

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system

Recall 17V-002 · Jan 3, 2017 · 342,867 vehicles · 314,329 repaired

Risk. If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
87%repaired · 2018 Q1

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 16V-646 · Sep 7, 2016 · 28,249 vehicles · 24,508 repaired

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

92%repaired · 2017 Q2

Sensor: occupant classification

Recall 15V-823 · Dec 8, 2015 · 21,074 vehicles · 19,370 repaired

Risk. An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of occupant injury in a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Audi.

Best & worst years

2013 vs. every other A6 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the A6 median. How we score

'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2013 Audi A6 safety ratings

2013 Audi A6 4 DR AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: Optional
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What A6 owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

IT WAS RECENTLY BEGAN TO LEAK FUEL FROM THE TOP OF THE ENGINE CLOSE TO THE WINDSHIELD. THEN THE WHOLE CABIN SPECIALLY IN THE FRONT WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO HAVE BAD VIBRATION DURING REVERSED, AND IDLE, ALSO WHEN THE AC IS ON. THEN THERES THE AIRBAG FOR THE PASSENGER, THE LIGHT IS ON, IT…
Complaint 11690179 · Sep 28, 2025
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (AUDI STRATHAM LOCATED AT 58 PORTSMOUTH AVE, STRATHAM, NH 03885) WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER…
Complaint 11351554 · Aug 27, 2020 · 73,000 miles
ON 3/6/2020, AUDI NORWELL, MA DIAGNOSED MY 2013 AUDI A6 WITH A PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (PODS) MALFUNCTION AND ALERTED OF A PODS SYSTEM PROBLEM BY ILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG MONITORING LIGHT AND BY THE STATUS OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR LIGHT. I WAS QUOTED $1,389.81 TO…
Complaint 11322317 · Apr 26, 2020

Own a 2013 A6?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.