Summary
The Audi S6 has 8 recalls spanning 1992 through 2021, with the most serious being a Takata airbag inflator defect on 2009-2011 models where the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death.
The most recent recall covers 2019-2021 models and involves a brake fluid reservoir cap that may be incorrectly labeled, leading to the wrong type of brake fluid being used during service, which can reduce braking effectiveness. On 2013-2014 models equipped with the 4.0-liter engine, a fuel line can leak fuel and, near an ignition source, cause a fire. A separate fuel line issue also affects 2013 models, where the line can deteriorate over time and develop a fuel leak with the same fire risk.
Going further back, the 2009 model year has an additional airbag concern separate from the inflator rupture issue: the passenger frontal airbag propellant can degrade from heat and humidity cycling, causing the bag to deploy with more force than intended. On 1996 models, a fuel feed line running between the fuel filter and the engine can shrink from turbocharger heat, loosen its clamp, and seep fuel near the turbocharger. The 1995 model year has a recall where static electricity discharge in low-humidity conditions can trigger the driver's airbag when the driver touches certain parts of the steering wheel while entering or exiting the vehicle. The earliest recall covers 1992 models with the same turbocharger heat and fuel line shrinkage issue seen on the 1996 model, where a loosened clamp connection can allow fuel to seep near the engine.
