Generation-specific owner insights from 119+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy a 2012–2018 S6?95
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2012–2018
13
recall campaigns
engine
most-complained area
Our take, from owner reports
Owners of the C7 S6 describe it as a fast, luxurious, and discreet performance sedan that is genuinely thrilling when it is working, with praise centered on the 4.0 twin-turbo V8's power delivery, the chassis and sport differential, the diamond-stitched seats, and the car's understated "body builder in a tailored tuxedo" character.
16 problems reported (3 very frequent, 8 recurrent, 5 isolated) · high confidence
Owners repeatedly steer buyers toward 2014 and 2015 cars as slightly more reliable than the 2013 launch year, and one owner recommended ponying up for a 2016+ for the facelift front and rear styling, a faster-CPU MMI, and other revisions. The 2013 is the most discussed and most criticized model year, largely because those cars have accumulated the most mileage and because it was the first model year. No single trim is declared a consensus best, though Prestige cars with LED headlights, adaptive cruise, and the B&O stereo are the features owners most often mention wanting.
Owners compare it most often with the BMW 550xi, BMW M5, BMW 650 Gran Coupe, Mercedes-Benz E550 and Audi S4.
Is a 2012–2018 S6 right for you?
Get an answer for your year, mileage and budget.
Owners of the C7 S6 describe it as a fast, luxurious, and discreet performance sedan that is genuinely thrilling when it is working, with praise centered on the 4.0 twin-turbo V8's power delivery, the chassis and sport differential, the diamond-stitched seats, and the car's understated "body builder in a tailored tuxedo" character. That enthusiasm is heavily tempered by reliability complaints, particularly turbocharger failures, thermostat and water pump failures, oil separator and turbo coolant line leaks, and PCV issues, with several owners reporting being stranded and one describing the car as a "piece of shit" despite loving it when it ran. Sentiment skews more negative on the earliest 2013 cars, which owners repeatedly identify as the first model year and the most failure-prone, while later cars and the 2016+ facelift are described more favorably for reliability, updated MMI hardware, and revised styling. The dominant practical advice across discussions is to buy only with a warranty or a substantial repair fund.
Owners who cross-shopped the 550xi and M5 said the S6 felt more solid and fast, and the diamond-stitched seats helped sell the car. One owner who grew frustrated with repeated failures replaced the S6 with a BMW 650 Gran Coupe and reported no problems with it. Another owner ultimately chose a Mercedes-Benz E550, arguing an older Benz would be more reliable than an Audi of the same year and that its non-performance nature meant lower running costs, while acknowledging the E550 is a little slower. Several owners steered shoppers toward the Audi S4 with the supercharged 3.0 V6 as a more solid and cheaper-to-modify alternative, and one suggested a CPO S4 instead of an S6. The S6 is generally positioned as the more special but higher-risk choice versus these alternatives.
Owners advise targeting a 2014 or 2015 for slightly better reliability, or a 2016+ for the facelift and upgraded MMI. Buyers are told to look for LED headlights, adaptive cruise control (identifiable by the front radar unit or the distance-setting switch on the cruise controls), the B&O stereo, and the sport differential. Multiple owners say to buy a CPO or warrantied car, or to set aside several thousand dollars for repairs, and one advises finding a car with under 50k miles that has CPO or a good third-party warranty. Owners also caution that a car missing features like LED headlights, B&O, and upgraded wheels is likely a lower-spec example and should be priced accordingly.
This generation suits buyers who want a discreet, powerful, luxurious sedan and who can either do their own work or afford a warranty and ongoing repair costs; it is repeatedly described as a poor choice for anyone stretching their budget, including a new graduate. Owners strongly prefer 2014-2015 or 2016+ cars over the 2013 launch year, and several say to avoid the first model year of any car on principle. Inspection advice includes getting a pre-purchase inspection by an Audi specialist or dealer, checking paint thickness for hidden accident repair, confirming the oil screen recall was performed, checking maintenance records for carbon cleaning and turbo work, and looking underneath the turbos for oil and coolant leaks. Owners also warn that low mileage does not mean the car has stopped aging, and that brittle plastics and clips on older examples can drive up maintenance costs.
Owners describe the car as extremely rare, with only around 10-12 examples listed online in the continental US at one point, and note that the S6 is one of Audi's lowest-volume US models. Several owners report that a 2013 S6 with roughly 35k miles sold for about $42k in 2015, that a CPO 2013 with 39k miles went for $51k in 2016, and that a 2013 with 74k miles was being discussed around $12k-$15k in the 2020s, with one auction purchase totaling $11k including fees and shipping. Owners praise the car's tuneability, with APR, GIAC, IE, and REVO tunes discussed, and note that tuning risks a TD1 flag and warranty denial. A commonly cited concern is that the car is an $80k-$90k vehicle with $80k part prices, and that brakes, rotors, and tires are expensive. Analysis based on approximately 119 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 4 | 1 | steering |
| 2017 | 5 | 2 | engine |
| 2016 | 19 | 2 | engine |
| 2015 | 5 | 2 | engine |
| 2014 | 20 | 3 | engine |
| 2013 | 42 | 3 | engine |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
2018 · air bags:sensor:occupant classificationcampaign 18V370000
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.
2017 · air bags:sensor:occupant classificationcampaign 18V370000
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.
2017 · engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/superchargercampaign 22V178000
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.
2016 · air bags:sensor:occupant classificationcampaign 18V370000
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.
2016 · engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/superchargercampaign 22V178000
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.
2015 · air bags:sensor:occupant classificationcampaign 18V370000
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.
2015 · engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/superchargercampaign 22V178000
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.
2014 · air bags:sensor:occupant classificationcampaign 18V370000
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.
2014 · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingscampaign 13V450000
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.
2014 · engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/superchargercampaign 22V178000
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.
2013 · air bags:sensor:occupant classificationcampaign 18V370000
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.
2013 · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingscampaign 13V450000
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.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.