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2013 Audi A6 Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2013 Audi A6 carries 6 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering occupant classification and cooling system. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Fuel system leaks and gasoline odor.” Audi follows the VW Group Longlife service rhythm: oil and minor service every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first, using oil that meets VW 502 00 / 504 00 (or 508 00 for newer 0W-20 engines) — generic synthetic does not qualify. S tronic dual-clutch gearboxes need fluid service every 40,000 miles despite 'lifetime fill' claims. Fully electric models (e-tron, e-tron GT) skip oil service entirely but keep brake-fluid, cabin-filter, and coolant-circuit intervals.

6 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Campaign #18V370000 · Apr 6, 2018

Issue: 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.

Risk: If the PODS module malfunctions, the front passenger air bag may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: 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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D5.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

Campaign #17V002000 · Mar 1, 2017

Issue: 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. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system, resulting in the pump overheating.

Risk: If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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. The recall is expected to begin February 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19M1.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

Campaign #18V229000 · Nov 4, 2018

Issue: 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. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.

Risk: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Campaign #17V781000 · Jun 12, 2017

Issue: 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.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Campaign #16V646000 · Jul 9, 2016

Issue: 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.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BZ.

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Campaign #15V823000 · Aug 12, 2015

Issue: 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. In vehicles with heated and cooled seats, the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS), used to enable the front passenger air bags, may malfunction and prevent the passenger-side air bags from deploying in a crash.

Risk: An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of occupant injury in a crash.

Fix: 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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D1.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2013 Audi A6.

Reported to NHTSA

Fuel system leaks and gasoline odor

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

5 NHTSA complaints · 2017-02 → 2025-09

“STRONG GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE THE CAR WHILE BEING DRIVEN AND WHILE PARKED INSIDE MY GARAGE RESULTING FROM FUEL PUMP LEAK. ODOR IS WORSE WHEN FUEL TANK IS FULL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11320634
“FUEL HOSE APPEARS TO HAVE DETERIORATED FROM THE INSIDE. SMALL PINHOLE LEAK APPEARED AND ALLOWED FOR GASOLINE TO SPILL ONTO HOT ENGINE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10954833
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11500302

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Passenger occupant detection system airbag warning

AIR BAGS

17 NHTSA complaints · 2016-05 → 2020-08

“TAKATA RECALL - MY AUDI DEALERSHIP STILL DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT. IT'S BEEN FIVE MONTHS. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11152195
“TAKATA RECALL. WHILE STATIONARY, & STILL IN PARK, WITH AN ADULT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIRBAG MONITORING LIGHT COMES ON TO ALERT ME THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG IS "OFF"”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11151246
“AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND PODS SYSTEM FAILS TO DETECT A PASSENGER. DEALER DID NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM. NO PARTS AVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11139153

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Coolant pump failure and engine overheating

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

8 NHTSA complaints · 2018-07 → 2023-05

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11105119
“VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING, DRIVING VERY ROUGH AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME AND EPC LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH. CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THIS HAPPENED LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AFTER I HAD THE WATER PUMP REPLACED FOR LEAKAGE AND FAILURE (WHICH HAS NOW BEEN RECALLED)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11144967
“I start getting coolant leak and it was at Audi dealership. Nothing was done just today get biger leak and took to shop and they say my water pump is broken”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11434309

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electromechanical power steering failure

STEERING

7 NHTSA complaints · 2015-01 → 2022-01

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A6. WHILE BACKING THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO TURN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10838469
“I GOT A MESSAGE ON MY WASH IT SAID "STEERING DETECTIVE DO NOT DRIVE". MY STEERING WHEEL GETS HARD AND MOVES ON ITS OWN SOMETIMES. IT DOES IT INTERMITTENTLY IN ANY CONDITION OR DRIVING SPEED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11080077
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AS THE STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO TIMES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10690239

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electrical short circuit and burning odor

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

5 NHTSA complaints · 2017-10 → 2020-11

“WHEN I WAS DRIVING, WE SMELLED BURNING OF RUBBER BUT THOUGHT THAT IT MUST BE FROM OUTSIDE. HOWEVER AFTER DRIVING OF ANOTHER 3-4 MILES, SUDDENLY SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM AIR VENT MAINLY ON DRIVER AND WINDSHIELD SIDE INSIDE OF CABIN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11033170
“MY CAR WAS STATIONARY AND OIL IS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE MY FUEL SYSTEM IS MESSING UP. ALSO I'M HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CYLINDER 1 MISFIRE OPEN GROUND OR SHORT TO GROUND CIRCUIT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11375329
“ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL CABLES MORE THAN ONCE, ALSO FUEL EXHAUST ISSUE AND COOLING SYSTEM. VEHICLE STATIONARY AND OR DRIVING UNDER 50 MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11280529

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration and throttle surge

ENGINE

2 NHTSA complaints · 2013-05 → 2014-10

“I WAS ENTERING MY GARAGE AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. I SLAMMED INTO ANY FRONT WALL DOING LOTS OF DAMAGE TO THE STRUCTURES IN AND OUT AS WELL AS TO MY BODY. MY CAR WAS TOTALED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10644104
“THIS DOES NOT REFER TO ANY SPECIFIC INCIDENT. AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR I BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT WHEN I ACCELERATED FROM A STOP, THE CAR ALWAYS SURGED AHEAD AFTER A FRACTION OF A SECOND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10511651

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Longlife Service)

Every 10,000 mi

Replace oil and filter every 10,000 miles or 12 months with VW 502 00 / 504 00 / 508 00 spec oil. S and RS models driven hard: many owners shorten to 5,000-7,500 miles. Wrong-spec oil is the leading cause of TFSI timing-chain tensioner and PCV problems.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate every 10,000 miles with the oil service. quattro models: keep all four tires within 4/32" of each other — mismatched wear stresses the center differential.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and wear sensors every 10,000 miles. Audi uses electronic pad-wear sensors on most models — replace the sensor with the pads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 24,000 mi

Replace DOT 4 brake fluid every 2 years regardless of mileage — Audi's published schedule is time-based because the fluid absorbs moisture.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

S tronic Dual-Clutch Fluid

Every 40,000 mi

S tronic (DSG) gearboxes on A3/S3/RS 3, Q3, TT, and many A5/Q5 models: replace fluid and filter every 40,000 miles with the VW Group-spec fluid for your gearbox code. Skipping this service is the most common cause of mechatronic failure.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$470–$640

Shop

~$330–$450

DIY

Pro only

VW/Audi DSG service needs a fluid-fill procedure at a specific temperature — shop equipment territory.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

quattro Coupling Fluid (Transverse Models)

Every 40,000 mi

A3/S3/RS 3, Q3, and TT use a Haldex-style rear coupling: replace its fluid roughly every 40,000 miles (some model years specify sooner — check your manual). Longitudinal quattro (A5-A8, Q5, Q8) has no coupling service; see differential fluid instead.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$220–$290

Shop

~$155–$205

DIY

~$40–$90

VW/Audi/Volvo AWD coupling — specific fluid required. Filter usually swapped at the same time.

Spark Plugs

Every 40,000 mi

TFSI turbo engines: new plugs every 40,000 miles. RS models with the 2.5 TFSI five-cylinder: consider 30,000 miles under track or hard street use.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 40,000 mi

Replace every 40,000 miles; inspect at 20,000 on turbocharged engines — a clogged filter shows up as sluggish boost response first.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Timing Chain (EA888 — Inspect Tensioner)

On condition / lifetime

2.0 TFSI (EA888) engines before roughly 2013 had timing-chain tensioner failures — have the tensioner revision checked by 80,000 miles on earlier cars. Later engines carry the updated design with no scheduled service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Differential Fluid (Longitudinal quattro)

Every 60,000 mi

Q5, Q8, and A5-A8 quattro: independent Audi specialists recommend front/rear differential fluid service around 60,000 miles even where Audi lists it as lifetime fill.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Dust & Pollen Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 miles or 2 years. Audi specifies an activated-carbon filter on most models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

G12evo / G13 Coolant

On condition / lifetime

Audi coolant is labeled lifetime fill. Independent VW/Audi specialists recommend a refresh around 5 years or 100,000 miles to protect the water pump and thermostat housing — and only with the correct pink/lilac VW Group coolant.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

6 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

2

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2013 Audi A6 reflects Audi's published service intervals and the Audi Service Interval Display system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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