Is the 2013 Audi A6 reliable?

The 2013 Audi A6 has 79 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Audi A6?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (18 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (16 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (9 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Audi A6?

Yes, there are 6 recall(s): AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION. Contact any Audi dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Audi A6?

The 2013 Audi A6 gets 28 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1714. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Audi A6?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Audi A6 is approximately $1,971/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Audi A6

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Audi A6 has 79 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.8x the segment average of 28. The most common issue is air bags problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: 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. trie. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports 4 crash reports 4 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

18 complaints

23%

• 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. TRIE
• 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. MY FIRST ACCIDENT EVER AND THE SCARIEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE. I HAVE HAD PRIOR ACCELERATION/DECELERATION ISSUES WITH THI
• AUDI REPLACED PODS MODULE IN FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT, WHICH MONITORS IF THERE IS AN OCCUPANT IN THE SEAT AND THIS TRIGGERS THE AIRBAG ACTIVATION. AFTER THIS REPLACEMENT MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR STARTED MALFUNCTIONING. IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING FINE WHEN MY HUSBAND SITS THERE (ABOUT 170 LB.), BUT I

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“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. TRIE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Audi A6

Based on 38 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 55K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 61K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 66K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (6)

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION04/06/2018

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Audi A6

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,715

Per month

$143

Per mile

14.3¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,920/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,455/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Audi A6

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,971

Full coverage / month

$164

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1971

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Audi A6 Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

40K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

40K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

40K mi

Long-interval service (LongLife) uses fully-synthetic oil. Some engines have timing belts (check owner's manual).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Audi New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

12 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

Corrosion coverage is unlimited miles for 12 years

These are the terms for a new Audi. If you're buying a used 2013 A6, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Audi dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 79 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: 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. TRIE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: 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. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TURBOCHARGER ON THE 2 LITER ENGINE "SPOOLED" AT 1600 RPMS AND CAUSED THE SURGE. IT IS A VERY
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: 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. TRIE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: FUEL HOSE APPEARS TO HAVE DETERIORATED FROM THE INSIDE. SMALL PINHOLE LEAK APPEARED AND ALLOWED FOR GASOLINE TO SPILL ONTO HOT ENGINE. CURRENT VOLKSWAGEN RECALL 24BZ DOES NOT APPEAR TO INCLUDE MY VIN, ALTHOUGH CHARACTERISTICS ARE EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN RECALL. I BELIEVE THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXPAN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Audi dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)