What are the most common problems with the 2013 Audi A6?

Air bags lead the complaint groups with 18 complaints, followed by the engine with 16. Owners describe seat sensor warnings and surging acceleration.

Has the 2013 Audi A6 been recalled?

Yes, the by-year data lists 6 recalls for 2013. The Recalls section on this page lists them by code.

How many complaints does the 2013 Audi A6 have?

NHTSA has 52 owner complaints on file. They are unverified reports and not adjusted for sales.

What is the gas mileage of the 2013 Audi A6?

See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2013 Audi A6 reliable?

The complaint groups above show where owners report trouble. See the by-year section to compare with other model years.

2013 Audi A6 Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 52 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Audi A6^[1]. The by-year data also lists 6 recalls for this model year^[2].

52owner complaints^[1]

6recalls^[2]

21–28MPG combined (EPA)^[3]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here is how the complaints on file sort by component group, biggest first.

Air Bags. 18 complaints^[4]. Owners describe passenger seat sensor trouble and warning lights that stay on. One story tells of a crash where the air bags did not deploy.
Engine. 16 complaints^[5]. In the stories we read, owners describe the car surging forward when pulling away, oil use that came early, and smoke with overheating warnings.
Unknown Or Other. 8 complaints^[6]. These reports do not fit a named component group.
Steering. 7 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a loose feel, a wheel that gets stiff, and do-not-drive warning messages on the dash.
Fuel/Propulsion System. 7 complaints^[8]. Owners describe a gasoline smell and leaks, and some say a recall does not cover their car.
Electrical System. 7 complaints^[9]. These name electrical trouble as the main component.
Seats. 3 complaints^[10].
Power Train. 2 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2013 A6 is necessarily included.

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification (18V370), June 2018. About 139,249 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Engine And Engine Cooling › Cooling System (18V229), April 2018. About 342,867 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings (17V781), December 2017. About 48,693 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Engine And Engine Cooling › Cooling System (17V002), January 2017. About 342,867 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings (16V646), September 2016. About 28,249 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification (15V823), December 2015. About 21,074 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
A6, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AV-S8), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive^[3]	25 / 33 / 28	$2,950
A6 quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive^[18]	20 / 30 / 24	$3,400
A6 quattro, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive^[19]	18 / 27 / 21	$3,900

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR AWD^[20], 4 DR FWD^[21].

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2013 Audi A6 with 2.0L 4-cylinder^[22]	211 hp
2013 Audi A6 with 3.0L 6-cylinder^[23]	333 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
A6 4DR SEDAN 2.0 TFSI QUATTRO PREMIUM/PREMIUM^[24]	194 in	74 in	57 in	115 in	3,891 lb
A6 4DR SEDAN 3.0 TFSI QUATTRO PREMIUM/PREMIUM^[25]	194 in	74 in	57 in	115 in	4,045 lb

How 2013 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each A6 model year. The 2013 is highlighted^[2].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	16	2
1996	51	2
1997	20	2
1998	130	10
1999	217	9
2000	148	4
2001	113	7
2002	88	4
2003	66	7
2004	35	4
2005	91	3
2006	67	4
2007	53	4
2008	71	4
2009	21	4
2010	17	3
2011	21	3
2012	60	8
2013	52	6
2014	41	4
2015	22	4
2016	51	3
2017	20	3
2018	11	2
2019	114	7
2020	34	9
2021	27	12
2022	4	5
2023	3	1
2024	3	1
2025	9	3
2026	9	1

NHTSA's counts for the A6 show 52 complaints and 6 recalls for 2013^[2]. Among the 32 model years listed, 19 have fewer complaints than 2013 and 12 have more^[2]. The fewest complaints are for 2023 (3) and the most are for 1999 (217)^[2]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2013 A6?

The 2013 Audi A6 has 52 complaints on file with NHTSA^[1]. Air bags and engine lead the group counts^[4]^[5]. These are unverified owner reports and they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold^[1]. Recalls exist for this model year, so check the Recalls section on this page^[2]. Compare this year with other years of the same model before you decide.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Audi A6?: Air bags lead the complaint groups with 18 complaints^[4], followed by the engine with 16^[5]. Owners describe seat sensor warnings and surging acceleration.
Has the 2013 Audi A6 been recalled?: Yes, the by-year data lists 6 recalls for 2013^[2]. The Recalls section on this page lists them by code.
How many complaints does the 2013 Audi A6 have?: NHTSA has 52 owner complaints on file^[1]. They are unverified reports and not adjusted for sales.
What is the gas mileage of the 2013 Audi A6?: See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2013 Audi A6 reliable?: The complaint groups above show where owners report trouble^[1]. See the by-year section to compare with other model years.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Audi A6

2012 60 complaints, 8 recalls
2013 this page
2014 41 complaints, 4 recalls
2015 22 complaints, 4 recalls
2016 51 complaints, 3 recalls
2019 114 complaints, 7 recalls
2026 9 complaints, 1 recall

Compare all model years of the Audi A6

Other Audi models from 2013

2013 Audi A4 111 complaints, 4 recalls
2013 Audi A8 49 complaints, 6 recalls

All Audi models

Similar cars from 2013: midsize cars

2013 Lexus ES 70 complaints, 1 recall
2013 Lexus GS 48 complaints, 3 recalls
2013 Lincoln MKZ 122 complaints, 12 recalls
2013 Nissan Maxima 62 complaints, 0 recalls
2013 Nissan Sentra 638 complaints, 6 recalls
2013 Subaru Legacy/Outback 363 complaints, 12 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 52 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Audi A6 (2 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Audi A6 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for A6, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AV-S8), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 33 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
18 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,000). NHTSA vehicle records
16 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,935). NHTSA vehicle records
8 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 18V370, filed June 4, 2018: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V229, filed April 11, 2018: Engine And Engine Cooling › Cooling System. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V781, filed December 6, 2017: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V002, filed January 3, 2017: Engine And Engine Cooling › Cooling System. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V646, filed September 7, 2016: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
Recall 15V823, filed December 8, 2015: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for A6 quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 30 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for A6 quattro, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2013 Audi A6 with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 211 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2013 Audi A6 with 3.0L 6-cylinder: rated 333 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A6 4DR SEDAN 2.0 TFSI QUATTRO PREMIUM/PREMIUM: length 194 in, width 74 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 3,891 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A6 4DR SEDAN 3.0 TFSI QUATTRO PREMIUM/PREMIUM: length 194 in, width 74 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 4,045 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2013 Audi A6: problems, recalls and fuel economy