Audi S6 C8 (2019–2025)
Generation-specific owner insights from 81+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
10
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2019–2025
13
recall campaigns
electrical system
most-complained area
What owners say about this generation
Our take, from owner reports
Owners of the C8 S6 broadly praise the car's power delivery, describing it as feeling like a jet and faster than advertised, with the electric supercharger and 48V mild hybrid system credited for eliminating turbo lag.
7 problems reported (1 recurrent, 6 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- RecurrentSoftware issues with the 2025 model year's new entertainment system
Described as nothing but problems and a lot.
- IsolatedFaulty ECM requiring replacement, with the part on back order and no ETA
- IsolatedFaulty N80 purge valve
+ 4 more issuesShow fewer
- IsolatedAC blowing hot air with a hissing noise
- IsolatedWater pump failure leaking coolant into and contaminating vacuum lines
Requiring two weeks at the dealer to clean.
- IsolatedExcessive and annoying start/stop functionality from the mild hybrid system
- IsolatedUnreliable touchscreen interface
The version owners recommend
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus. Partial signal: one owner specifically praised their 2020 Navarro Blue with Rotor Gray interior, noting it was one of only 24 sold in the USA that year, and described the engine as different from the RS5 with its electric supercharger and 48V mild hybrid. Another owner highlighted the 2025 S6 Premium Plus with white exterior and red stitching as preferable to the Prestige trim they test drove.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Audi A6, Audi A7, Audi S5, Audi RS5 and Audi SQ8.
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Overall sentiment
Owners of the C8 S6 broadly praise the car's power delivery, describing it as feeling like a jet and faster than advertised, with the electric supercharger and 48V mild hybrid system credited for eliminating turbo lag. The car is called an instant classic and a rare bird, with several owners calling it a huge upgrade over the A6. Criticism centers on the touchscreen-heavy interior, which some find less usable and more plasticky than the previous generation, and on the excessive start/stop functionality. Early C8 owners reported AC and ECM problems, while later discussion focuses more on water pump failures and software issues in the newest model year. The 2025 model year draws significant criticism for its new entertainment system, which multiple owners describe as having a lot of problems.
Positioning vs competitors
Owners position the C8 S6 as more powerful and more of a real driving car than the S5, with one owner stating the S6 is way more powerful and worth the cost difference unless you want the newest bells and whistles. Against the A7, owners note the S6 would hold its value slightly higher but the A7 is more practical with its hatchback opening. One owner cross-shopping a BMW M3 was told it would be crazy to switch from the G80 to an S6. The S6 is described as more adult-like compared to the S5, which one owner characterized as seeming like a car for a 20 year old.
Recommended configurations
Insufficient owner data available. One owner noted the 2025 S6 Premium Plus with white paint and red stitching was liked better than the black Prestige they test drove. Another owner mentioned the S6 has the electric supercharger that spools up before the turbo to boost low end torque and reduce lag, plus the 48V mild hybrid, and that the car is faster than advertised.
General recommendations
Owners strongly recommend purchasing an extended warranty for this generation, with one owner stating you should always get one if you plan to keep the car past factory protection, and another advising to extend coverage before expiration rather than trying to buy after it lapses. One owner emphasized reading over extended warranty choices carefully, calling engine, transmission, electric, and suspension coverage a must for these cars. Owners suggest finding a reputable euro shop for out-of-warranty service to save roughly half versus dealership rates. One owner recommended reserving $10,000 to $15,000 for potential repairs if buying without a warranty. For winter driving, owners recommend sizing down to 20-inch wheels with winter tires, with Pirelli Scorpion Winters specifically praised for performing spectacularly in upstate New York and New England conditions. One owner runs Pilot Sport all-seasons year-round in the Midwest with no complaints.
Remarks
One owner reported a 2025 S6 recall involving the torsion bar in front seat belt retractors possibly damaged during production, with dealers replacing affected seat belts free of charge. An owner noted the S6 has fake exhaust tips that are not connected to the pipes, though both pipes on each side do exit straight out of the rear. Owners repeatedly note that dealership service rates vary widely, with some reporting $300 per hour while others cite $185 to $210 per hour, and independent euro shops charging $100 to $150 per hour. One owner mentioned the S badge on the front grille shows only the S without the number 6. Analysis based on approximately 81 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
Complaints and recalls by model year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 3 | electrical system |
| 2022 | 4 | 4 | electrical system |
| 2020 | 2 | 6 | electrical system |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices for this generation
2025 · back over prevention: sensing system: cameracampaign 25V900000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
2025 · seat belts:front:retractorcampaign 25V638000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 GTI, Golf R, Audi A5, A6 Sportback E-Tron, S5, S6 Sportback E-Tron, 2026 Q4 Sportback E-Tron, and Q4 E-Tron vehicles. The torsion bar in one or both front seat belt retractors may have been damaged during production.
2025 · seat belts:rear/other:retractorcampaign 25V899000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2025 SQ6 E-Tron, SQ6 Sportback E-Tron, Q6 Sportback E-Tron, A6, A5, A6 Sportback E-Tron, Q6 E-Tron, S5, and S6 Sportback E-Tron vehicles. The automatic locking retractor may fail to engage when a child seat is installed using the seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
2022 · equipment:electrical:infotainment:video (touch)screen/monitor/unitcampaign 22V806000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 AUDI A8, A6 Allroad, E-TRON Quattro, 2022 S3, RSQ8, RS7, RS6 Avant, Q8, Q7, Q3, E-TRON Sportback Quattro, S5 Cabriolet, E-TRON GT, S5 Sportback, A7, A6, A5 Sportback, A5 Cabriolet, A4, A4 Allroad, A3, S8, SQ7, SQ8, S6, and S4 vehicles. The infotainment main unit may become damaged internally when the vehicle is shut off, resulting in an inoperative rearview camera display the next time the vehicle is started. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
2022 · electrical systemcampaign 22V861000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Audi S7, S6 Sedan, A6 Allroad, 2021-2022 RS7, RS6 Avant, 2019-2022 A7, and A6 Sedan vehicles. Liquid spilled in the rear seat may penetrate and cause the gateway control module to shut down.
2022 · electrical system:instrument panel:fuel gauge:fuel level float/sensor/sending unitcampaign 22V155000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 RS6 Avant and RS7, 2020-2022 A6 Allroad, S6 Sedan, and S7, and 2019-2022 A6 Sedan and A7 vehicles. The fuel level sender may stick, causing an inaccurate fuel level reading to be displayed on the instrument cluster.
2022 · back over prevention: sensing system: cameracampaign 25V900000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
2020 · tirescampaign 22V034000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
2020 · air bagscampaign 21V159000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi RS6 Avant, RS7, 2020-2021 A6 Allroad, S6 Sedan, S7, 2019-2021 A6 Sedan, and A7 vehicles. The score line on the passenger air bag may not have been manufactured correctly.
2020 · suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assemblycampaign 21V295000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
2020 · electrical system:instrument panel:fuel gauge:fuel level float/sensor/sending unitcampaign 22V155000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 RS6 Avant and RS7, 2020-2022 A6 Allroad, S6 Sedan, and S7, and 2019-2022 A6 Sedan and A7 vehicles. The fuel level sender may stick, causing an inaccurate fuel level reading to be displayed on the instrument cluster.
2020 · electrical systemcampaign 22V861000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Audi S7, S6 Sedan, A6 Allroad, 2021-2022 RS7, RS6 Avant, 2019-2022 A7, and A6 Sedan vehicles. Liquid spilled in the rear seat may penetrate and cause the gateway control module to shut down.
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.