2020 Audi S6 Safety Report
2020 Audi S6 Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2020 Audi S6
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2020 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 | High (6) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (2) | 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 | Power Train,Electrical System,Engine | Compare power train,electrical system,engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2018 | Compare against the 2018 Audi S6 with 4 complaints and 1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Audi S6 | 4 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Audi S6 | 5 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2016 Audi S6 | 19 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2015 Audi S6 | 5 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2020 Audi S6 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2020 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.
Power Train,Electrical System,Engine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Electrical System,Engine issues Audi onlyElectrical System,Unknown Or Other
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Unknown Or Other issues Audi onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2020 Audi S6
Reliability Score
The 2020 Audi S6 receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2020 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 2020 Audi S6
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2020 Audi S6:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train And Electrical System Reports of sudden power loss and vehicle shutdown have been noted, affecting the power train and electrical system. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Back Over Prevention System A recall has been issued for the back over prevention system, impacting multiple models including the 2020-2026 Audi S6. |
High | Common | 0-100k miles |
| Air Bags Air bags have been recalled, potentially affecting the safety of the vehicle occupants. |
Medium | Occasional | 0-100k miles |
| Fuel Gauge Issues with the fuel gauge have been reported, though less severe than other issues. |
Low | 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 2020 Audi S6:
Issues with the power train have been reported, affecting the vehicle's reliability.
Electrical system problems have been noted, leading to sudden power loss and shutdowns.
Air bag recalls have been issued, impacting the safety of the vehicle.
Recalls for the back over prevention system have been issued, affecting multiple models.
Recall Details for the 2020 Audi S6
The following 6 recalls have been issued for the 2020 Audi S6 by NHTSA:
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Audi S7, S6 Sedan, A6 Allroad, 2021-2022 RS7, RS6 Avant, 2019-2022 A7, and A6 Sedan vehicles. Liquid spilled in the rear seat may penetrate and cause the gateway control module to shut down.
Consequence: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90V2.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 RS6 Avant and RS7, 2020-2022 A6 Allroad, S6 Sedan, and S7, and 2019-2022 A6 Sedan and A7 vehicles. The fuel level sender may stick, causing an inaccurate fuel level reading to be displayed on the instrument cluster.
Consequence: An inaccurate fuel reading may cause an engine stall due to lack of fuel, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new sensor in the tank, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2023. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 20DN.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
Consequence: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
Consequence: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi RS6 Avant, RS7, 2020-2021 A6 Allroad, S6 Sedan, S7, 2019-2021 A6 Sedan, and A7 vehicles. The score line on the passenger air bag may not have been manufactured correctly.
Consequence: An incorrectly manufactured air bag may not deploy properly, and could also eject plastic debris into the passenger compartment, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the passenger air bag score line, and repair it as necessary, free of charge. The recall begin March 26, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 70i2.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2020 Audi S6
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2020 Audi S6 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
While driving my 2020 Audi S6, the vehicle suddenly lost power and completely shut off in the middle of the road without warning. There were no warning lights or messages beforehand. I was unable to accelerate or steer out of the way, which created a major crash risk for myself and other drivers. I had to have the vehicle towed to Audi of Riverside for diagnosis and repair. The dealership confirm...
My 2020 Audi S6 has been undriveable since September 27, 2024 due to a backordered recall part (Gateway Control Module). Audi has failed to provide a repair timeframe, making my car unusable for over five months. Audi has refused to provide a loaner vehicle despite the long delay. As of March 2025, there is no estimated time of arrival for the part, and Audi has not provided any alternative resolu...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 Audi S6
Has the 2020 AUDI S6 been recalled?
Yes, the 2020 AUDI S6 has 6 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2020 AUDI S6 have?
The 2020 AUDI S6 has 2 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 AUDI S6?
The 2020 AUDI S6 does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 AUDI S6?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2020 AUDI S6 involve power train,electrical system,engine (1 complaints), electrical system,unknown or other (1 complaints).
How many crash reports does the 2020 AUDI S6 have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2020 AUDI S6 in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2020 AUDI S6 have?
There are no fire reports for the 2020 AUDI S6 in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2020 AUDI S6?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 AUDI S6.
How many injuries are reported for the 2020 AUDI S6?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 AUDI S6.
Should I buy a 2020 AUDI S6?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2020 AUDI S6 is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 2 complaints, 6 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2020 AUDI S6?
The components with the most failures on the 2020 AUDI S6 are: 1. POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE (1 complaints), 2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1 complaints). POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 1 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2020 AUDI S6?
Be aware of recalls and ensure all safety systems are up to date to avoid potential hazards. The 2020 AUDI S6 has 2 NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2020 AUDI S6?
The 2020 AUDI S6 receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 2 owner complaints, 6 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Power Train and Electrical System and Back Over Prevention System.
What are the known issues with the 2020 AUDI S6?
Known issues with the 2020 AUDI S6 include: Power Train and Electrical System, Back Over Prevention System, Air Bags, Fuel Gauge. These are based on patterns found across 2 NHTSA complaints. 6 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2020 Audi S6?
Common issues include power train and electrical system problems, as well as recalls for the back over prevention system and air bags.
Are there any recalls affecting the 2020 Audi S6?
Yes, recalls have been issued for the back over prevention system, air bags, and electrical system components.
What should I do if I experience sudden power loss in my 2020 Audi S6?
Check for recalls and contact Audi to ensure all safety systems are functioning properly.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of recalls and ensure all safety systems are up to date to avoid potential hazards.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2020 Audi S6
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2020 Audi S6. The data includes 2 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 6 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
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