BestCarRank
Audi

2017 Audi S6

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2017 Audi S6 has 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 8. The most common issue is engine problems (67% of all complaints), specifically: oem turbos fail on audi 2013-2017 s6/s7/s8/rs6/rs7 due to oil starvation caused by clogged oem oil strainer. this is a safety issue as the failure happens without warning and as it generally happens while while driving the sudden loss of power could lead to a serious accident. this issue appears to. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.

6

Total Complaints

2

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 3 of 3)

ENGINE

4 complaints
67%
  • OEM TURBOS FAIL ON AUDI 2013-2017 S6/S7/S8/RS6/RS7 DUE TO OIL STARVATION CAUSED BY CLOGGED OEM OIL STRAINER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE FAILURE HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING AND AS IT GENERALLY HAPPENS WHILE WHILE DRIVING THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS ISSUE APPEARS TO
  • AUDI S6 4.0 TT, THE CAR I OWN ARE NOTORIOUS IN OIL SCREEN PROBLEMS. THEY STARVE THE TURBOS WITH NO OIL AND CAUSE FAILURE TO THEM. I AM ONE OF THE PERSON THAT HAS TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE.
  • TURBO POWER FEELS TO HAVE GRADUALLY DECLINED UPON APPROACHING 50K MILES. IT IS CAUSED BY CLOGGED TURBO OIL SCREENS. $3000+ REPAIR WITH NO HELP FROM AUDI BRAND AND DEALER FOR A WIDELY KNOWN ISSUE. ADDITIONALLY THE O2 SENSORS HAVE RANDOMLY THROW ERROR FOR RUNNING LEAN. REPLACED O2 SENSOR BUT ISSUE CA
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

OEM TURBOS FAIL ON AUDI 2013-2017 S6/S7/S8/RS6/RS7 DUE TO OIL STARVATION CAUSED BY CLOGGED OEM OIL STRAINER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE FAILURE HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING AND AS IT GENERALLY HAPPENS WHILE WHILE DRIVING THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS ISSUE APPEARS TO

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (2)

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 2017 Audi S6

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,286
Per month
$191
Per mile
19.1¢
MPG
21
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,667/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,778/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
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 2017 Audi S6

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.
Full coverage / year
$2,014
Full coverage / month
$168
Liability only / year
$668
vs US avg
+20%
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 rating0.94x
× vehicle age1.00x
= Full coverage estimate$2014

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

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Audi S6 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 2017 S6, 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

ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 6 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ENGINE: OEM TURBOS FAIL ON AUDI 2013-2017 S6/S7/S8/RS6/RS7 DUE TO OIL STARVATION CAUSED BY CLOGGED OEM OIL STRAINER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE FAILURE HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING AND AS IT GENERALLY HAPPENS WHILE WHILE DRIVING THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS ISSUE APPEARS TO

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • FUEL SYSTEM: TURBO POWER FEELS TO HAVE GRADUALLY DECLINED UPON APPROACHING 50K MILES. IT IS CAUSED BY CLOGGED TURBO OIL SCREENS. $3000+ REPAIR WITH NO HELP FROM AUDI BRAND AND DEALER FOR A WIDELY KNOWN ISSUE. ADDITIONALLY THE O2 SENSORS HAVE RANDOMLY THROW ERROR FOR RUNNING LEAN. REPLACED O2 SENSOR BUT ISSUE CA

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • OTHER: I took the vehicle to west Covina Audi to get the recall repaired. Inv # 793279. They claimed the recall was repaired. I request photos of the work performed and old parts. I was told that since it was a recall they have to ship the parts to Audi. When i was notified that my car was done. I asked f

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Audi dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

At a Glance

Complaints
6
Recalls
2
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
8

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2017 Audi S6