Post
Research the Car Logo

2013 Audi A6 Quattro

Posted
By Research the Car 4 min read

The 2013 Audi A6 Quattro is a mid-size luxury sedan known for its refined driving experience, comfortable interior, and stylish design. The A6 offers a blend of performance and luxury that appeals to a wide range of buyers. Engine options for the 2013 A6 included a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4, a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 (available in the Quattro model you requested), and a 3.0-liter TDI turbo diesel. The 3.0-liter supercharged V6 produces 310 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. Common praises for the A6 include its comfortable ride, well-appointed interior, and strong engine performance. Some common complaints include higher maintenance costs and some reported issues with the infotainment system.

Engine

3.0L Supercharged V6 (Quattro)

  • Thermostat Housing Leak
    • Description/Symptoms: Coolant leak, often noticed as a sweet smell after driving, leading to low coolant levels and potential overheating. The leak is often located near the front of the engine.
    • Solution: Replacement of the thermostat housing and gasket.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $600+
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Supercharger Failure
    • Description/Symptoms: Whining or rattling noises from the engine, noticeable loss of power, and potential misfires.
    • Solution: Supercharger rebuild or replacement. In some cases, only the supercharger clutch needs replacement.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,500 - $4,000+
    • Recalls: None Found
  • PCV Valve Failure
    • Description/Symptoms: Rough idling, whistling noise from the engine bay, oil leaks, and potential check engine light. This can also lead to vacuum leaks.
    • Solution: Replacement of the PCV valve.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500+
    • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

8-Speed Automatic (All Engines)

  • Mechatronic Unit Failure
    • Description/Symptoms: Harsh or delayed shifting, slipping between gears, and potential warning lights on the dashboard.
    • Solution: Replacement or rebuilding of the mechatronic unit. Sometimes a software update may resolve the issue.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,500 - $3,000+
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Torque Converter Issues
    • Description/Symptoms: Shuddering or vibrations at low speeds, especially during light acceleration. May also cause stalling.
    • Solution: Replacement of the torque converter.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,000 - $2,500+
    • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

  • Air Suspension Leaks (If Equipped)
    • Description/Symptoms: The vehicle sits unevenly, especially after being parked overnight. The air compressor may run excessively to compensate.
    • Solution: Replacement of the leaking air strut(s) or air lines.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $800 - $2,000+ per strut
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Control Arm Bushing Wear
    • Description/Symptoms: Clunking noises from the front suspension, especially over bumps. Vague steering or wandering.
    • Solution: Replacement of worn control arm bushings or complete control arm assembly.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $800+ per control arm
    • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

  • Infotainment System Issues (MMI)
    • Description/Symptoms: Freezing, crashing, or slow response of the Multi Media Interface (MMI) system. Screen may also go blank.
    • Solution: Software update, replacement of MMI control unit.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $1,500+
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Battery Drain
    • Description/Symptoms: Frequent dead battery, especially after the car has been sitting for a few days.
    • Solution: Diagnose parasitic drain, replace battery, or faulty module.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $500+
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Headlight Failure (Specifically HID/Xenon)
    • Description/Symptoms: One or both headlights not working. Often caused by a failed ballast or bulb.
    • Solution: Replacement of the headlight bulb or ballast.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $800+
    • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

  • Sunroof Issues
    • Description/Symptoms: Sunroof getting stuck, making grinding noises when opening or closing, or leaking when closed.
    • Solution: Cleaning and lubricating sunroof tracks, sunroof motor replacement, or sunroof assembly replacement.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $1,000+
    • Recalls: None Found

Interior

  • Door Lock Actuator Failure
    • Description/Symptoms: Door not locking or unlocking with the remote or interior switch.
    • Solution: Replacement of the door lock actuator.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500+
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Navigation System Malfunctions
    • Description/Symptoms: Issues with the navigation system’s GPS signal, inaccurate directions, or the system failing to load.
    • Solution: Updating the navigation software, replacing the GPS antenna, or replacing the navigation unit.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100-$1000
    • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2013 Audi A6 Quattro, while generally a reliable and luxurious vehicle, can experience certain issues. The most common issues revolve around the engine, transmission, electrical components, and suspension. The supercharged V6 engine can have issues with the thermostat, supercharger and PCV Valve. The 8-speed transmission can have issues with the mechatronic unit and torque converter. Electrical gremlins involving the infotainment system and battery drain can also be problematic. Air suspension issues (if equipped) are known for being costly. The severity and cost of these issues can vary widely, with some repairs being relatively inexpensive while others can be quite costly, especially those involving the transmission, supercharger or air suspension. Potential buyers should be aware of these potential problems and thoroughly inspect any used A6 before purchase, paying close attention to maintenance records and performing a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic.

Audi, A6 Quattro
Audi A6 Quattro 2013
This post is licensed under CC BY 4.0 by the author.