2018 Audi S6 problems
The Audi S6 is the performance variant of the Audi A6, an executive car produced by German automaker Audi. It went on sale in 1994, shortly after the "A6" designation was introduced, replacing the "100" nameplate.
The original S6 was largely the same car as the outgoing, original Audi S4 (C4) (Ur-S4), with the only visible differences being new body-cladding and badging. In certain markets where the even-higher performance RS6 (which is also based on the A6) is not sold, the S6 is the most powerful A6 trim there.
The S6, like all Audi "S" models, is fitted as standard with Audi's trademark quattro four-wheel drive (4WD) system, the S6 using the Torsen-based permanent 4WD.
Social links
Common 2018 Audi S6 problems
The Audi S6 Quattro, a high-performance vehicle with adaptive air suspension, is known for its quickness, agility, and smooth ride.
One of the most common early warning signs of Audi S6 air suspension problems is a bouncy or rough ride. This can indicate that the air suspension is starting to wear out and may require replacement of worn-out components.
Replacing the worn-out components with new ones is one way to fix Audi S6 air suspension problems. The dealership or another mechanic will likely recommend this solution. However, the performance of the entire system may not be restored completely, as other components will have started to age and wear as well. In addition, OEM parts for any Audi vehicle, including the S6, are very expensive. For example, a single OEM Audi S6 Quattro air strut costs around $800 for just the part.
Another common issue with the Audi S6 Quattro is the failure of ride height sensors. These sensors are located on each lower control arm and have a connector and arm that moves up and down with the suspension. Worn sensors can cause the vehicle to sag, like at the corners or from front to rear. The sagging can also mean there's an airbag problem at each wheel. There are two at the rear and two at the front. If it's leaking air from damage like a hole, it can cause the car to sag at that end. If you receive a service suspension message, scanning the system with a scan tool can help identify which sensor is at fault.
The turbocharger can also fail from oil starvation, which is commonly from a lack of oil changes. To prevent problems with the turbo, changing the oil regularly at the recommended intervals is essential. The coolant leaking from the water pump can also cause problems with the engine. Generally, to replace the water pump on the 2013 to 2018 S4, you'll need to put the car in service mode and take the front end of the vehicle and tip it forward or pull it off to access the pump. It's common for a dirty cabin air filter to cause problems with the air conditioning (AC) in the 4th gen Audi S4. Debris can get past the filter and into the evaporator core. To prevent problems with the AC, changing the cabin air filter regularly is recommended.
In summary, the Audi S6 Quattro is a high-performance vehicle with adaptive air suspension that can provide a smooth and responsive ride. However, many owners have reported issues with the air suspension system, which can lead to a loss of performance, uncomfortable ride, and weakened handling. Replacing worn-out components with new ones and fixing ride height sensors and turbocharger failures are some ways to fix these problems. Regular maintenance, such as changing the oil and cabin air filter, can also prevent problems with the turbocharger and air conditioning system.
Is it worth it to buy an Audi S6?
Is the Audi S6 a good car? The Edmunds experts tested the 2024 S6 both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.3 out of 10. Edmunds' consumer reviews show that the 2024 S6 gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 3 reviews) What about cargo capacity?
Does Audi S6 have air suspension?
With a more powerful twin-turbo V8 engine and all-wheel drive (AWD), the S6 is built for drivers who love a high-performance vehicle. And thanks to its adaptive air suspension with variable damping, the car's quickness and agility is paired with an ultra-smooth and responsive ride.
Is the 2018 Audi S6 twin-turbo?
With its twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 and standard all-wheel drive, the S6 is unstoppable and unflappable in any road conditions.
Is the Audi S6 fast?
2022 Audi S6 Sedan Overview
The 2022 Audi S6 Sport Sedan turns heads on Orange County roads with its 444 horsepower, 443 lb-ft of torque, and taking only 4.4 seconds to go from 0-60 mph.
Is it worth it to buy an Audi S6?
Is the Audi S6 a good car? The Edmunds experts tested the 2024 S6 both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.3 out of 10. Edmunds' consumer reviews show that the 2024 S6 gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 3 reviews) What about cargo capacity?
Is the 2018 Audi S6 twin-turbo?
With its twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 and standard all-wheel drive, the S6 is unstoppable and unflappable in any road conditions.
Does Audi S6 have air suspension?
With a more powerful twin-turbo V8 engine and all-wheel drive (AWD), the S6 is built for drivers who love a high-performance vehicle. And thanks to its adaptive air suspension with variable damping, the car's quickness and agility is paired with an ultra-smooth and responsive ride.
What is the engine specs of the Audi S6 2018?
The 2018 Audi S6 is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 with 450 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is standard and the EPA rates its fuel economy at 16/24 mpg city/highway.
2018 Audi S6 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Audi S6 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Steering problems
- Electrical system problems
- Visibility/wiper problems
- Service brakes problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2018 Audi S6 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2018 Audi S6 complaints
The NHTSA has received 4 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2018 Audi S6.
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-06
- VIN: WAUHFAFC9JN
- Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: First off let me start by saying the vehicle has 45k miles on it. There were no fault codes or system errors prior to the issue that developed. I was driving to a meeting in heavy rain, no issues or suspicion of issues arising. I parked the car, returned about 2 hours later started the car to find 6 warnings on the dash (tpms fault, acc disabled, steering disabled, air ride control disabled esc disabled and a few more. Notably was the steering, it had a red light and the steering wheel was very hard to turn. The vehicle couldnt be driven. After having the computer scanned the issue was the electronic steering rack. See codes below. This is very unfortunate and strange that it came out of nowhere especially to fail this way. The vehicle is available for inspection until the part is replaced. VIN: [XXX] License Plate: Mileage: 73992km-45976mi Repair Order: Address 44: Steering Assist Labels: 4G0-909-144.clb Control Module Part Number: 4G0 909 144 T HW: 4G0 909 144 Q Component and/or Version: RCevo H55 0202 Software Coding: 101001010001 Work Shop Code: WSC 02391 785 00200 ASAM Dataset: EV_RCEPS 106007 (AU57) ROD: EV_RCEPS_106.rod VCID: 3A381898BDFF7D41CD-806E 4 Faults Found: 6291727 - Internal Control Module Memory Check Sum Error B2000 00 [10001001] - - [Abschaltpfadtest fehlgeschlagen] MIL ON - Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear Freeze Frame: Fault Priority: 1 Fault Frequency: 1 Mileage: 73949 km Date: 2023.12.06 Time: 10:07:29 Write only channel 1052420 - Internal Control Module Memory Check Sum Error B2000 49 [10001001] - Internal Electronic Failure [Unplausibler Signalverlauf des Motortemperatursensors] MIL ON - Confirmed - Test INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-02-10
- VIN: WAUHFAFC5JN
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: I OWN A 2018 AUDI S6 WHICH I BEGAN DRIVING IN MARCH 2018. SINCE THEN THE WINDSHIELD HAS SHATTERED THREE TIMES, DUE TO ONLY MINOR IMPACTS OF ROCKS OR ROAD DEBRIS EACH TIME. THIS HAPPENED MOST RECENTLY A FEW WEEKS AGO WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 70 MPH. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 36 YEARS IN SEVEN DIFFERENT AUTOMOBILES AND I HAVE NEVER HAD TO HAVE A WINDSHIELD REPLACED. I ALSO DO MUCH LESS HIGHWAY DRIVING THAN I HAVE IN THE PAST. THE FACT THAT THE WINDSHIELD ON MY AUDI HAS SHATTERED THREE TIMES IN THREE YEARS CANNOT POSSIBLY BE JUST BAD LUCK. FORTUNATELY, EACH TIME THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERED IT WAS NOT IN THE DRIVER'S LINE OF SIGHT. IF THE WINDSHIELD HAD SHATTERED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER IT COULD HAVE CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE AS THE WINDSHIELD ON THIS PARTICULAR AUDI MODEL SEEMS TO BE QUITE FRAGILE. I HAD PREVIOUSLY DRIVEN A 2009 AUDI A5 FOR NINE YEARS WITH NO SUCH ISSUES. I HAVE CONTACTED AUDI OF AMERICA WITH MY CONCERNS, BUT THEY DO NOT SEEM INTERESTED.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-04-04
- VIN: WAUHFAFC7JN
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST ON WHEELS AND ROTORS AFFECTING STOPPING DISTANCE
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-11-30
- VIN: WAUHFAFC1JN
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON 11/18/2017; ON 11/21/2017 A DEAD BATTERY CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO START. ON THE 11/22/2017 AFTER CHARGING THE VEHICLE BATTERY OVER 20 HOURS THE VEHICLE STARTED; HOWEVER THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED SEVERAL WARNINGS: STEERING SYSTEM FAULT, DYNAMIC STABILITY, ADAPTIVE SUSPENSION, ADAPTIVE LIGHTS, ETC... THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO AUDI SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTIONING; WHICH IS DIRECTLY LINKED TO STEERING SYSTEM FAULT. THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO ME BY A MEMBER OF THE SALES TEAM ON 11/30/2017 STATING THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND CLEAR OF ANY ISSUES. HOWEVER, THE STEERING SYSTEM FAULT RETURNED WITHIN HOURS AFTER THE DELIVERY WHILE DRIVING WESTBOUND ON I-565 AND THE ACTIVE LANE ASSISTANCE ENGAGED MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO DISENGAGE THE ACTIVE LANE ASSISTANCE, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE STEERING BECAME INCREASINGLY MORE DIFFICULT TO STEER. AFTER PICKING UP MY CHILDREN FORM SCHOOL, THE VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL NEARLY SEIZED UP MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE SAFELY. I HAD TO VERY AGGRESSIVELY MUSCLE THE STEERING WHEEL IN HOPES OF CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE TO MANEUVER THE CAR WITHOUT ANYTHING OR BEING HIT. I HAD NO REAL CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. MY CHILDREN AND I WERE VERY FORTUNATE; BLESSED EVEN THAT WE WERE ARE STILL ALIVE TO TALK ABOUT THIS INCIDENT.
2018 Audi S6 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2018 Audi S6.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- 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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D5.
Negative 2018 Audi S6 car reviews
Positive 2018 Audi S6 car reviews
-
I recently purchased a 2017 Audi S6 in Prestige Mythos black with the Cold Weather, Handling Package, Driver Assistance, and Black Optic Package. Before making my decision, I shopped around at BMW (550xi), Maserati (Ghibli), Mercedes (E400), and Jaguar. However, none of them felt as athletic, well-grounded, and luxurious all in the same package as the S6. I must say, the S6 is by far the most enjoyable Audi I have ever driven or owned. I find myself looking for reasons to take it out, whether it's for a quick grocery run, picking up fast food, or running errands. The engine provides massive horsepower and torque at low RPMs, and the exhaust note is intoxicating without being overstated. The S6 has plenty of room for both front and rear passengers, and boasts many tech upgrades such as a Bose audio system, Apple CarPlay, Google-based navigation, and tons of safety features. With configurable settings for ride height, transmission, and suspension, the car can go from stiff and sporty to comfortable and luxurious for longer drives. I absolutely love this car!
-
I custom ordered my first Audi and I am absolutely loving it! The car took 63 days to arrive, but it was definitely worth the wait. I traded in my 2012 Acura TL 6 speed manual, all wheel drive, tech package and I couldn't be happier with the dealership, Coral Springs Audi. I tried to order the car from Braman, but unfortunately they wouldn't do it and they wouldn't give me the price I wanted. The Audi S6 has so many amazing features, including the Bang and Olufsen music system, sport package, black optic package, black wood and aluminum trim, rear side airbags, black cloth headliner, all weather rubber floor mats front and rear, trunk cargo liner, wheel locks, cargo box, prestige trim, and a cargo net. I've had the car for 2 years now and it's still the best car I've ever owned. The power on demand, luxury, and how smoothly it rides is just incredible. If you have the means, I highly recommend buying this car. It's so much fun to drive and it's the best sleeper muscle car out there. I haven't had any problems with the car at all. I had my 5000 mile service and 3000 miles later I had to add three quarters of a quart of oil, but that's it. The car has been a dream to own and drive. Edmunds asked me to update my review and I'm happy to say that I still love this car after 14500 miles. I have to add half a quart of oil every 2200 miles approximately, but that's not a big deal. I drove this car from West Palm Beach to Alpharetta GA and back and it was a beautiful drive at 80 miles an hour. It's a great cruising car and I had a nine hour drive. So far, I'm still very happy with this car. The power and the whole package of this car still blows me away. Edmunds wants me to update my review and I'm happy to say that after 2 years of ownership, I'm still in love with this car!What can I say that hasn't already been said? This car just blows me away every time I drive it. If you have the means, I highly recommend buying this car. You will love the power, luxury, and quality of the materials, as well as how it handles. I always have a smile on my face when driving this beautiful car. It is just superb to drive.
-
Getting my hands on one of these cars was tough. I didn't even get to test drive one before I picked mine up. But I had absolutely no buyer's remorse when I finally did. From the classy res start button that revs the car to the diamond leather stitching, this car is a true gem. The controls, especially for media and music, have a bit of a learning curve, but the touchpad and nav are top class. I opted for the black optic package and 20-inch wheels, which give the car an edge not seen on the basic model. I recommend paying for the extended 10-year warranty as I can only imagine what this puppy will cost to fix later on, but this being my 3rd Audi, I know I won't have much to worry about until year 10 and beyond. The car is a dream to drive, and I love flexing its muscle to the unsuspecting speed racer nob heads you often encounter on the road. The car came with summer tires, so I immediately got the snow tire package and am actually begging for snow. The car has tremendous grip on snow, as most Audis with quattro do. Basically, I love my new car, and incidentally, it looks better than the slightly more expensive S7 in my opinion.
-
It's true that this car may not handle as well as others in its class and price range. However, for the majority of drivers, including myself, who don't drive on the track or push the car to its limits, it provides ample power and comfort. In my opinion, this car is the perfect choice.
-
I'm so glad I did my research before making my purchase! I couldn't be happier with my choice.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2018 Audi S6 problems:
2018 S5 vs 2018 S6 Reliability?
Jun 22, 2021 ... 5 S5 to a Lexus GS350 and I've been itching to get back into an Audi. The Lexus was extremely ergonomic and I've had no issues in the 3 years of ...
Audi S6 Problems: 4th Generation (2013 to 2018) - Expert Tips - 1A ...
Sep 15, 2022 ... Top 5 Problems with the 2013 to 2018 4th Generation Audi S6 · 1. Ride Height Sensors Failing · 2. Turbocharger Failure · 3. Ignition Coil Failure.
Advice before buying 2017 S6
Mar 22, 2021 ... Motor mounts are a common problem on the 4.0T as it is on the 3.0T.. The turbo failures are mostly due to a clogged oil screen. Supposedly the ...
Any S6 engine problems out there? - AudiWorld Forums
Mar 9, 2016 ... I had this same issue on my 2018 Prestige SQ5 at 81K back in December 2021. Purchased used with the drivetrain warranty at 56K in 2020. Audi ...
Talk to me about audi s6 4.0 v8T, any common issues? - Page 1 ...
Aug 15, 2021 ... Talk to me about audi s6 4.0 v8T, any common issues? ... With standard power I've only ever seen one C7 S6 ... engine is not the problem, it's ...
Other years of Audi S6
Are you having problems with your 2018 Audi S6?
Ellis Rowe 2025-02-08
I bought this car when it had around 40,000 miles on it. Unfortunately, by the time it reached 60,000 miles, it needed over $4,000 in repairs. At 50,000 miles, the 'check coolant' message appeared every day, and it turned out that a new water pump was needed, which cost around $2,000 with labor. Not long after, the engine developed a high-pitched squeal at idle, which required a costly repair to the high-pressure oil system. Throughout my ownership of the car, there was a clunking noise from the passenger footwell over every bump, which was never actually solved, but was believed to be the front drive shaft and was replaced. Despite all these issues, the dealership was very sympathetic and had Audi cover the cost. The adaptive cruise control went out of calibration several times and disabled the cruise until a $400 calibration was completed. Besides the mechanical issues, several interior rattles showed up in quick succession. Maintenance costs were as expected for oil changes, but in order to perform the 75,000 mile service, the entire front end would have had to be disassembled, adding up to a $2,000 plus charge. However, the car itself was fantastic. The engine sounded rich, and the acceleration was insane. The interior looked premium, and the quilted seats were gorgeous. The exterior of the car had just the right blend of sport and luxury. All in all, the dealer was exceptional, and I would recommend the car if you don't mind the high maintenance and repair costs.