MODEL
Audi S6 Safety
NHTSA safety across every Audi S6 model year we cover.
Across the 6 model years of the Audi S6 we cover (2020 to 2025), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2025 at 99 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2021 at 90. 23 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Audi S6 is a performance-tuned executive sedan slotting into the competitive luxury sport segment, sitting above the standard A6 and aimed at drivers who want genuine performance credentials alongside premium refinement. Targeting affluent buyers who commute in comfort but want to feel the road on weekends, the S6 competes directly with the BMW 5 Series M Sport and Mercedes-Benz E53 AMG. For model years 2020 through 2025, MotorCaliber examined its federal safety record in detail.
The 2025 Audi S6 achieves an Exceptional rating in our Safety Index, scoring a perfect 100 out of 100. This places it in the highest tier of our safety assessments. NHTSA, however, has not published frontal or side crash-test ratings for the 2020 through 2025 model years. This absence of data means direct comparisons based on these specific impact tests are not possible. The recall record for the S6 across these model years totals 22 actions, a figure higher than what our publication typically considers a low-concern level. Prospective owners should confirm that all open recalls have been completed by an authorized Audi dealer. Conversely, owner complaints filed with NHTSA are notably low. Only 3 complaints are on file, with no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths. While these complaints remain unverified allegations, their scarcity suggests a limited reporting of safety issues from the ownership base. The S6's top-tier Safety Index score for 2025 is a strong indicator, but the significant recall history and incomplete crash-test data require buyer vigilance.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the Audi S6 as one of the more accomplished executive sport sedans on the market, praising its blend of composed everyday refinement and strong straight-line performance. Most professional assessments highlight its premium interior quality and driver-focused character as standout attributes, while occasionally noting that its pricing positions it against formidable German rivals that offer similarly complete packages.
- The 2025 Audi S6 earns a perfect NHTSA Safety Index score of 100 out of 100, placing it in the Exceptional band - the highest classification in our rating system for the covered model years.
- Frontal and side crash-test star ratings are listed as not rated across the 2020-2025 model years we cover, so shoppers cannot make direct star-for-star comparisons with rivals that have received full NHTSA crash-test evaluations in those categories.
- Twenty-two recalls have been issued across the 2020-2025 model years - a count that is meaningfully elevated. Before purchasing any used or new S6, confirm with an Audi dealer that all open recall repairs have been completed on that specific vehicle.
- Owner complaints filed with NHTSA total just 3 across all covered years, with zero reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths. While these are unverified allegations, the extremely low complaint volume suggests the S6 ownership population has raised very few federal safety concerns.
Most-recalled year on record: 2021 Audi S6 with 10 recalls.