2013 Audi A6 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 79 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median A6 year — the 2013 model ranks #11 of 33 A6 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (18), engine (16), and other (9), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2013 compare to other A6 years?

A6 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all A6 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Audi A6 problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Airbags	18	23%	— flat
Engine	16	20%	— flat
Other	9	11%	▲ up
Electrical System	8	10%	▼ down
Fuel System	8	10%	▼ down
Steering	7	9%	— flat
Seats	3	4%	▲ up
Transmission	2	3%	▼ down
Brakes	2	3%	▼ down
Tires & Wheels	2	3%	▲ up
Lighting	1	1%	— flat
Body & Structure	1	1%	▼ down
Driver Assistance	1	1%	▼ down
Seat Belts	1	1%	▼ down

Does the 2013 Audi A6 have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V370000AirbagsJune 4, 2018 · 139,249 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

18V229000EngineApril 11, 2018 · 342,867 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

17V781000Fuel SystemDecember 6, 2017 · 48,693 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

17V002000EngineJanuary 3, 2017 · 342,867 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system, resulting in the pump overheating.

Consequence

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

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19M1.

16V646000Fuel SystemSeptember 7, 2016 · 28,249 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Audi A6 and Audi A7 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a fuel hose in the engine compartment that may degrade and leak fuel.

Consequence

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 under hood fuel pump and fuel hose, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BZ.

15V823000AirbagsDecember 8, 2015 · 21,074 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Audi A6 vehicles manufactured March 28, 2011, to March 25, 2013, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles manufactured January 25, 2011, to March 19, 2013. In vehicles with heated and cooled seats, the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS), used to enable the front passenger air bags, may malfunction and prevent the passenger-side air bags from deploying in a crash.

Consequence

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

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and Audi dealers will install a PODS system repair kit, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D1.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I WAS ENTERING MY GARAGE AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. I SLAMMED INTO ANY FRONT WALL DOING LOTS OF DAMAGE TO THE STRUCTURES IN AND OUT AS WELL AS TO MY BODY. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. MY FIRST ACCIDENT EVER AND THE SCARIEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE. I HAVE HAD PRIOR ACCELERATION/DECELERATION ISSUES WITH THIS…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 25, 2014 · crash

“I WAS ENTERING MY GARAGE AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. I SLAMMED INTO ANY FRONT WALL DOING LOTS OF DAMAGE TO THE STRUCTURES IN AND OUT AS WELL AS TO MY BODY. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. MY FIRST ACCIDENT EVER AND THE SCARIEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE. I HAVE HAD PRIOR ACCELERATION/DECELERATION ISSUES WITH THIS…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 25, 2014 · crash

“WHEN I WAS DRIVING, WE SMELLED BURNING OF RUBBER BUT THOUGHT THAT IT MUST BE FROM OUTSIDE. HOWEVER AFTER DRIVING OF ANOTHER 3-4 MILES, SUDDENLY SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM AIR VENT MAINLY ON DRIVER AND WINDSHIELD SIDE INSIDE OF CABIN. I STOPPED CAR AND TURNED OFF. I TOOK IT TO NEARBY GARAGE AND…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 7, 2017 · fire

“MY CAR WAS STATIONARY AND OIL IS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE MY FUEL SYSTEM IS MESSING UP. ALSO I'M HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CYLINDER 1 MISFIRE OPEN GROUND OR SHORT TO GROUND CIRCUIT .”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · October 14, 2020

“WHEN I WAS DRIVING, WE SMELLED BURNING OF RUBBER BUT THOUGHT THAT IT MUST BE FROM OUTSIDE. HOWEVER AFTER DRIVING OF ANOTHER 3-4 MILES, SUDDENLY SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM AIR VENT MAINLY ON DRIVER AND WINDSHIELD SIDE INSIDE OF CABIN. I STOPPED CAR AND TURNED OFF. I TOOK IT TO NEARBY GARAGE AND…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 7, 2017 · fire

2013 Audi A6 — common questions

Is the 2013 Audi A6 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 79 complaints put the 2013 model at #11 of 33 A6 years. It is one of the A6 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 A6 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (18 complaints), engine (16 complaints), other (9 complaints).

Does the 2013 Audi A6 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Audi A6. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Audi A6 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the A6 years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2019, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2002, 2012, 2003, 2006, 2013, 2008, 2016, 1996. The cleanest record among A6 years belongs to 2024.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2013 compare to other A6 years?

What are the most common 2013 Audi A6 problems?

Does the 2013 Audi A6 have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2013 Audi A6 — common questions

Is the 2013 Audi A6 reliable?

What are the most common 2013 A6 problems?

Does the 2013 Audi A6 have recalls?

Which Audi A6 years should you avoid?

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