2018 Audi S6 Safety Report
2018 Audi S6 Safety and Reliability Overview
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Audi S6
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Audi S6. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (4) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Steering,Electrical System | Compare steering,electrical system issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2020 | Compare against the 2020 Audi S6 with 2 complaints and 6 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2016 | Check the 2016 Audi S6 before buying across this generation. |
Audi S6 Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Audi S6 years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Audi S6 | 5 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Audi S6 | 2 | 6 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Audi S6 | 19 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2015 Audi S6 | 5 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2018 Audi S6 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Audi S6, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Steering,Electrical System
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering,Electrical System issues Audi onlyVisibility/Wiper
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Audi onlyService Brakes
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Audi onlySteering
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Audi onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Audi S6
Reliability Score
The 2018 Audi S6 receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 Audi S6
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2018 Audi S6
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Audi S6:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Sensor Issue Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is recalling certain 2013-2018 Audi S6 and S7 models due to potential issues with the airbag sensor. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering And Electrical System Faults Electrical system and steering issues have been reported, though no fault codes were present prior to the issue. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Service Brake Dust Excessive brake dust on wheels and rotors has been noted, potentially affecting stopping distance. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Windshield Shattering The windshield has shattered multiple times due to minor impacts from rocks or debris. |
High | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Audi S6:
Airbag sensor issues are the most common problem reported.
Recall Details for the 2018 Audi S6
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2018 Audi S6 by NHTSA:
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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Audi S6
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Audi S6 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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 di...
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 HI...
EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST ON WHEELS AND ROTORS AFFECTING STOPPING DISTANCE
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 T...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Audi S6
Has the 2018 AUDI S6 been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 AUDI S6 has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 AUDI S6 have?
The 2018 AUDI S6 has 4 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 AUDI S6?
The 2018 AUDI S6 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 5/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 AUDI S6?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 AUDI S6 involve steering,electrical system (1 complaints), visibility/wiper (1 complaints), service brakes (1 complaints). Other affected components include steering.
How many crash reports does the 2018 AUDI S6 have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2018 AUDI S6 in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2018 AUDI S6 have?
There are no fire reports for the 2018 AUDI S6 in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 AUDI S6?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 AUDI S6.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 AUDI S6?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 AUDI S6.
Should I buy a 2018 AUDI S6?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 AUDI S6 is generally recommended. It has 4 complaints, 1 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 AUDI S6?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 AUDI S6 are: 1. STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1 complaints), 2. VISIBILITY/WIPER (1 complaints), 3. SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints), 4. STEERING (1 complaints). STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 1 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 AUDI S6?
Be aware of potential airbag sensor issues and have the vehicle inspected if you experience any steering or electrical system problems. The 2018 AUDI S6 has 4 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2018 AUDI S6?
The 2018 AUDI S6 receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 4 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Airbag Sensor Issue and Steering and Electrical System Faults.
What are the known issues with the 2018 AUDI S6?
Known issues with the 2018 AUDI S6 include: Airbag Sensor Issue, Steering and Electrical System Faults, Service Brake Dust, Windshield Shattering. These are based on patterns found across 4 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 Audi S6?
Yes, there is a recall for airbag sensor issues affecting certain 2013-2018 Audi S6 and S7 models.
What are the common issues with the 2018 Audi S6?
Common issues include airbag sensor problems, electrical system faults, and windshield shattering.
How can I prevent brake dust from affecting my stopping distance?
Regularly inspect and clean your brake components to ensure optimal performance.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential airbag sensor issues and have the vehicle inspected if you experience any steering or electrical system problems.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Audi S6
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Audi S6. The data includes 4 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Audi S6 an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 5 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-13