2020 AUDI S6

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

5RecallsNHTSA Verified2ComplaintsNHTSA Data1InvestigationsNHTSA Data
Expert Verdict
⚠️Elevated Concerns

The 2020 Audi S6 showcases a mixed reliability profile, marked by five recalls predominantly linked to the electrical system and airbags. Given the peak failure range of 0-20k miles, owners should remain vigilant in monitoring these components early on.

Key Factor:Multiple safety-related recalls

📋Why This Matters

In the luxury performance segment, the Audi S6 is expected to deliver not only exhilarating performance but also superior reliability and safety. The presence of multiple recalls, especially concerning critical systems such as airbags and the electrical system, raises significant concerns about the vehicle's engineering integrity. For a brand synonymous with precision engineering, these defects can tarnish its reputation and undermine consumer confidence in its commitment to safety.

Focus Area:Safety Profile
📊

Expert Analysis

The year-over-year trend for Audi's vehicles indicates a focus on high-performance specifications often at the cost of manufacturing perfection. While some may argue that the allure of luxury offsets these risks, it is clear that the S6's reliability metrics fall short compared to segment expectations for vehicles without such troubling recall histories.

Critical Component: Crash/Accident

Safety & Reliability Score

55/100
Below Average

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-40
Complaint Impact-0.1
Investigation Impact-5

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2020 AUDI S6

Model Year2020
MakeAUDI
ModelS6
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Scroll for more →
Jan20
NEWProduction
Jan20
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan20
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan20
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan20
RECALLRecall Issued
Oct21
RECALLRecall Issued
Apr23
INVInvestigation Opened
Mar25
ISSUEFirst Report

Consumer Complaint Analysis

⚠️

Most Reported Issue

1 complaints (50% of total)
➡️

Complaint Trend

Stable
No trend data
✅

Safety Incidents

No critical incidents

Complaint Severity Distribution

Breakdown of 2 consumer complaints by severity level.

🟡Medium
1(50%)
🟢Low
1(50%)
✅Good News: No critical or high-severity complaints reported for this vehicle.

🛠️ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

Primary Risk Areas

TIRESAIR BAGSSUSPENSIONELECTRICAL SYSTEM

🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions

Based on recall data, these components require verification:

1

Electrical System

Issue: Potential faults related to various electrical components based on TSBs.

✅

Schedule an inspection of all electrical connections and modules immediately.

🔍

Request detailed service records specifically referencing any electrical repairs or updates.

2

Air Bags

Issue: The passenger airbag may not deploy correctly due to manufacturing defects.

✅

Ensure all recall notifications regarding airbags have been addressed by an authorized dealer.

🔍

Confirm no outstanding recalls related to airbag deployment exist before finalizing a purchase.

💡Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your AUDI dealer to verify recall completion status.

Official Safety Recalls (5)

Campaign: 22V034000

TIRES

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Campaign: 21V159000

AIR BAGS

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Campaign: 21V295000

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Campaign: 22V155000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:FUEL GAUGE:FUEL LEVEL FLOAT/SENSOR/SENDING UNIT

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Campaign: 22V861000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

NHTSA Investigations

1 investigation

Official NHTSA safety investigations for 2020 S6.

INV-2020-1000🟢 Closed

NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding S6 performance issues.

Opened: Affected Units: 19,628

Consumer Complaints

2 total complaints

Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2020 S6.

Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis

Crash/Accident50%
Acceleration Issues50%
Warning50%
Engine/Powertrain🔶 Medium
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

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 confirmed the issue was related to Recall 22V861 (Gateway Control Module). I was never notified by Audi of this open safety recall prior to the incident. The problem was immediately confirmed by the dealership, and the vehicle has been in the shop since September 2024 — now over eight months — with no ETA on parts from Audi and no resolution. During this time, Audi has not provided a loaner vehicle or rental support. I’ve continued to pay my monthly car note for a car I cannot use and have spent hundreds of dollars per month on Uber and alternate transportation to get to work. Audi issued a $3,000 goodwill check, but that does not begin to cover my actual out-of-pocket costs. I also previously requested a vehicle buyback, which was denied. This is a serious safety defect that caused a dangerous on-road failure, and the manufacturer has failed to provide a timely or adequate remedy. The issue has been confirmed by the dealership, and the vehicle is still not repaired or returned to me. I’m requesting immediate investigation and enforcement regarding this unresolved recall and the unreasonable delay in resolution.

May 30, 2025Under Review
Electrical🔵 Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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 resolution. This recall renders the car inoperable, posing a serious financial and safety concern.

✨ AI Insight

This complaint matches keywords from official recalls:

Recall #22V155000Recall #22V861000

*correlation estimated by AI, not an official NHTSA link.

Mar 2, 2025Under Review

Frequently Asked Questions

What are common issues with the 2020 Audi S6?

"The 2020 Audi S6 has several reported issues primarily surrounding its electrical system and airbag functionality. Owners should be aware of potential recalls that could affect both safety features and vehicle performance. Regular maintenance checks are crucial due to these vulnerabilities."

How does the recall history affect my decision to buy a used Audi S6?

"Considering the five recalls related to crucial systems like electronics and airbags, potential buyers need to be diligent. It's essential to verify that any necessary repairs have been completed prior to purchase; otherwise, you may inherit unresolved safety issues that could lead to significant liabilities."

🧭What This Means for You

Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

🔑

If You Own This Vehicle

  • Safety Check: Cross-reference your VIN with official AUDI records to ensure no 5 recalls remain open.
  • Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
  • Proactive tip: Enroll in AUDI's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
🛒

If You're Buying Used

  • Critical: Demand official documentation showing every AUDI recall has been satisfied.
  • Investigate whether later S6 iterations (2021+) rectified these persistent issues.
  • A pre-purchase inspection by a AUDI specialist is mandatory given the recorded failure patterns.
⚖️

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Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: February 23, 2026.