Most common 2013 Audi A6 problems
Share of the 52 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Audi A6 complaints by model year
Best A6 years: 2022, 2018, 2011. Years to avoid: 2019, 2012, 2016, 1999, 1998. Compare all years →
2013 Audi A6 recalls (6)
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification
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).
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.
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
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.
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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
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.
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
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.
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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
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.
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification
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.
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.
What 2013 Audi A6 owners say
Air bags
Advised that my 2013 Audi A6 requires passenger occupant detection system (pods). This exact part was recalled via recall #74d1. Audi has advised that my VIN was not included in the recall. However, the Audi service technician at Audi north American advised me that the pods part in my car is the exact same part number in the recall notice. The difference is that the recall had for heated and cooling sets, while my VIN has only heated seats. As a result, Audi north America is not extending the recall to my vehicle. This is preventing the passenger airbag from being operational. Again, main point is that the exact same part number that has been recalled, is the same part number that in my vehicle that I am being told is the issue and needs to be replace. The dealer tried to "reset" it pods system, but it immediately stopped working one day later. …
Had a frontal crash as I was trying to click in the safety belt while in motion. The impact was severe enough that my head went forward and cracked the windshield injuring my forehead. I lost consciousness for 30 minutes. This was a new car (115 miles) and none of the multiple airbags went off. Tried to have Audi explain to me why none of the airbags went off and I got 2 nonsensical reasons (one salesperson suggested that they did not go off because the safety belt was not engaged, a customer representative related to me some mysterious angle - 30 degrees from the midline of the car- where an impact would not activate air bags (!) . I was also given a lecture regarding the safety of Audi cars. I asked them to test the front accelerometers in the crashed car but they did not see any point in doing it. I have seen a recall for the curtain air bags of last year A6 model. …
Engine & cooling
I had my coolant system repaired before I found out there was a recall now my thermostat went bad. My brakes need to be replaced too much and my screw for my radio and system display stopped working every time you change fees it pops
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Audi A6. While driving at an unknown speed, smoke could be seen coming from the engine compartment. The engine overheating warning indicator illuminated during the failure. The dealer (Audi valencia, 23923 creekside rd, valencia, ca 91355, [phone]) informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V229000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the coolant pump failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 61,871.
Fuel & propulsion system
The contact owns a 2013 Audi A6. The contact stated that after returning to the parked vehicle, the vehicle failed to start after several attempts. The contact stated that the temperature gauge and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact performed a diagnostic on the vehicle and retrieved fault codes for the temperature gauge and fuel delivery system. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V781000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.
Start smelling gasoline and every day was worse. I bring the A6 for the recall but I just realize that Audi did the 20ar but I remember prior to this recall the car had the 24bz . I tried to call them and my vim soes noy show for this recall . The A6 is with Audi livermore they want me to pay to unmount the gas tank to procedure with a diagnostic. I just know that my car is leaking gas and no response that why tgis happend the car or the tank hasn't received a damaged at all so how this happend . Other option that Audi want is charge 3500 for fix and they pay the 20% wich its not right . Why this Audi A6 2013 3.0 doesn't match like the other A6 for the recall repair u can look video and photos on this link https://www.dropbox.com/sh/sbq6uf4l11hi6bo/aadhnwhal8xkvqpldvhmlj8ua?dl=0
2013 Audi A6 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | CVT | FWD | 25 / 33 / 28 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 20 / 30 / 24 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 18 / 27 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Audi A6 a good car?
Based on 52 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 A6 rates average: 1.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the A6 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Audi A6?
The air bags — 18 complaints, 35% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the engine & cooling (16) and fuel & propulsion system (8).
How many recalls does the 2013 Audi A6 have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2013 Audi A6, the most recent from June 4, 2018 (occupant classification). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Audi A6?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2022, 2018 and 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2012, 2016, 1999 and 1998. See the full Audi A6 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2013 Audi A6 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 62,000 miles; 46% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.