2020 Audi S6: common problems and reliability
· C8One of the weaker S6 years.
2 owner complaints, most about electrical system. 6 recalls.
Should I buy a 2020 S6?The 2020 Audi S6 has 2 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and power train. Owners most often flag faulty ecm requiring replacement, with the part on back order and no eta.
Safety record for the 2020 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2020 Audi S6 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other S6 years only. How we score it
Is 2020 a good year for the S6?
Across the 15 S6 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2010) to 42 (2013). With 2 complaints, the 2020 S6 sits about the same as the model's median of 4.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2020 S6
tires
Campaign 22V034000Volkswagen 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.
air bags
Campaign 21V159000Volkswagen 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.
suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly
Campaign 21V295000Volkswagen 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.
electrical system:instrument panel:fuel gauge:fuel level float/sensor/sending unit
Campaign 22V155000Volkswagen 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.
Show 2 more recalls
electrical system
Campaign 22V861000Volkswagen 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.
back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Campaign 25V900000Volkswagen 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."
What owners report on the C8 S6
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.
- 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
- 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.
Owner insights for the C8 S6. Read the full C8 owner report.
Typical used price
Used S6 listings typically run $19,298–$37,790.
Other S6 model years
Compare every S6 year side by side to see how 2020 ranks against the rest.
Compare the S6 against its rivals
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