Audi S6 loss of power problems

Filed May 30, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · CA

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.

Filed Mar 1, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · PA

Was just driving down the highway at normal speed and my car lost all power, every like came up on the dash and disabled my power steering causing me to almost crash. Took it to the shop mechanic tells me the turbos failed due to oil screen and it will cost me $8,000 Not sure why they failed I have amazing service records on my car. This needs to be a recall.

Filed Jun 27, 2024 · Driver assistance, Transmission · CA

We, a group of Audi S6 owners with vehicles from the 2013-2017 model years, are experiencing premature mechatronic issues. These problems manifest as jerking when coming to a stop, which can lead to accidents, and intermittent power loss that can be life-threatening. These issues began around 40,000 miles and have progressively worsened, despite our vehicles having only approximately 70,000 miles on them. Given the early onset and severity of these problems, we strongly urge a recall. The current mechatronic design appears to be flawed and fails prematurely, posing significant safety risks.

Filed Nov 23, 2022 · Transmission · CA

I noticed my car wouldn’t engage in reverse when shifted so I took it in for a transmission flush and it was performed and 2 days later I got a light on dash saying transmission overheating . And the car completely lost power while on freeway and went from 60 to 20 miles per hour and will not shift past first gear . So I took it back in to dealer paid diagnostic fee and then was told my transmission was bad and had to be replaced and was quoted a price of 15683$

Filed Dec 13, 2021 · Acceleration, Engine · WV

Loss of power on freeway, due to known turbo issue on these cars. Filter for turbo oil clogs, and burns the turbo's without warning causing loss of power. Not to mention it often sends metal into your engines oil and the repair for that is more than the car is worth.

Filed Oct 29, 2021 · Engine · VA

Turbocharged failed while driving in afternoon traffic, leaving car stranded at heavy traffic stoplight until tow could be arranged. Failure occurred while idling at the stop light. Failed turbochargers are available for inspection. Failure was initially diagnosed / confirmed by dealership (Audi Chantilly) but due to extreme cost of repair quoted by dealer, car was transported to an independent garage for the repair. Failed turbocharger was inspected at dealership using micro-camera for diagnosis of the problem. There were no warnings, check engine lights, strange noises, loss of power, etc..; failure was total and instantaneous. Additional information: This is a totally stock vehicle, no modifications or tuning performed. It has never been raced or abused. The 'launch mode' built into the car's design (for fast acceleration from stop) has never been used on this vehicle. Put simply, this vehicle was 'babied'. For the initial life of the car, all maintenance was performed at dealership (Audi Chantilly) under service contact. Upon expiration of service contract (~65K miles) all service was performed by owner. Knowing of the turbocharger oil feed defect present in this model Audi's design, owner increased oil change service frequency to (unsuccessfully) try preventing turbocharger failure. All owner supplied oil change materials (oil and filters) were consistent with Audi factory requirements.

Filed Sep 1, 2021 · Engine · OR

Turbos blew causing the vehicle to lose power while trying to merge in traffic.

Filed May 22, 2021 · Engine · TX

The Passenger Side Turbo failed. Yes it’s available for inspection. I was driving and I felt a pop, like a backfire from under the hood. The car lost power instantly and was any under power anymore on the road. It could have been a lot worse if I was on a busy highway but luckily was on a street with do one behind me. It was confirmed it was the turbo failure and the turbo has been inspected. No warning lamps or any prior symptoms before hand. Once it happened it started throwing warning lights for pretty much everything. Limited slip diff, air bags, EPC, TPMS, check engine light and traction control warning lights all went off one after the other.

Filed Apr 26, 2021 · Engine · 91,300 miles · IA

During a 500 mile road trip from ia to mo I experienced the first symptom. I was about 5 hours into the trip, cruise was set at about 70mph. All of the sudden a 'shudder' went through the car, like the car completely lost all power for a moment. Gets your attention in a hurry! I checked all the gauges, and there were no errors and everything appeared in order. We were about 15-20 minutes from the destination, so we decided to see if we would have any trouble making it. We made it the rest of the way down without incident. The next day we had to drive back to ia. In general the car drove okay. Although we did experience the shudder about 4 time on the trip home. I was surprised that we made it, based on the first shudder. Once I got home I decided to inspect the turbos, as they have a failure history in these cars. I used a borescope to check the turbos. The passenger side turbo had oil in the intake, indicating oil was leaking from the turbo compressor seal. There was also slight scraping of the compressor blades on the housing, indicating the initial stages of failure. The car was parked until I could get a chance to pull everything apart. This weekend I pulled the car apart. I found a plugged turbo oil screen buried deep in the vee of the engine. The original oil screen was deformed in the direction of oil flow, indicating the restriction to flow that it had created. I have attached pictures of the existing oil screen and a brand new oil screen held up to a light. This is to indicate the level of blockage on the original screen. Car had 91,828 miles when it was scoped. I have owned 16 audi's over the years, 9 with turbos. This is my first turbo failure ever. I have taken many of the cars up around 200k miles, with a few surpassing it before being traded.

Filed Apr 7, 2021 · Engine · 57,800 miles · NY

While driving on the highway vehicle lost power. Upon exiting the highway, I noticed a rough idle. Next morning vehicle failed to start normally (push to start) on multiple occasions. Needed to press the gas pedal significantly. Brought to independent auto repair shop for diagnostics. Was told oil separator had failed and turbos had both failed. Repaired at my (significant) expense. Vehicle is completely stock. No engine modifications. 93 octane gas. All maintenance as per manual.