AudiS62021Overview/audi/s6/2021/base/

2021 Audi S6

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 S6.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2021 Audi S6 is paired with an automatic (S8) transmission, and its routine service calls for 0W-30 oil at an 8.0-quart capacity. EPA fuel-economy ratings are 18 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. Within the model's 1992–2021 complaint history, the 2021 model's 15 owner complaints place it below the 2013 peak of 42 yet above the 1996 low of 1, with the Electrical System standing out as the top reported issue area and 11 recalls on file. That profile points to a model year with moderate historical exposure rather than either the cleanest or most troubled record in the S6 lineage.

Model year202520242023202220212020

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity8.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-30OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/28/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage. battery, OE oil filter 06M115441G. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage.OEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire size255/35R21/XL 98YOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter06M115441G alt 06M198405F
Engine air filter4K0133844D
Spark plug06M905606F
Battery000915089BF alt 000915089BC
Front wiper blades4K1998002D
Thermostat06M121688 alt 06M121678H
Cabin air filter4M0819439C

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length194.9 in
Overall width74.4 in
Overall height57.1 in
Wheelbase115.4 in
Curb weight4495 lb
Track (front / rear)63.8 / 63 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 28 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume98 cu ft
Cargo volume16 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the S6 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

3.4–4.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 3.40 sec — 2025 Sportback e-tron Prestige Quattro
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020Premium Plus Quattro Sedan 2.9L Twin-Turbo V64.00 sec12.50 sec444 hpAWD
2023Prestige Quattro Sedan (S Sport) 2.9L Twin-Turbo V64.50 sec13.00 sec444 hpAWD
2025Sportback e-tron Prestige Quattro Elec 94.4-kWh3.40 sec11.70 sec543 hpAWD
2025Sportback e-tron Prestige Quattro Elec 94.4-kWh3.40 sec11.70 sec543 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 8.0 qt of 0W-30 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. The firing order is 1-4-3-6-2-5.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 4
Engine CoolantAudi Coolant G13-TL-VW774J
Engine Coolant Capacity10.5 qt
Engine Oil0W-30
Engine Oil Capacity8.0 qt

Engine torques

Cylinder Head InstructionsOnly use new bolts.

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-3-6-2-5

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant CapacityPR Code TV8

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1110.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 150.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°110 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Completely install all bolts by hand. Step 222 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22.011 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi.

Every 10,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire Repair Kit Sealant (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAir Conditioning Evaporator Case Drain (inspect) · Body Water Drains (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection)
Every 30,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
Every 40,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Audi S6 recorded zero consumer complaints, which is lower than the complaint totals seen in most preceding model years (e.g., 19 complaints in 2016, 42 in 2013, and even 2 complaints in 2020). However, it also logged the highest recall count in the provided history, with 10 recalls issued that year, surpassing the 6 recalls in 2020 and the single‑digit recall figures earlier in the generation. Investigations remained at zero for 2021, consistent with the pattern of few investigations after 2011, while technical service bulletins continued to rise, reaching 1,111—above the 1,020 in 2020 and the lower counts in prior years. The data do not specify the root causes for the recalls, so any safety or reliability implications cannot be inferred from the complaint numbers alone. Given the absence of complaints but a notable recall volume, the 2021 model may be a reasonable purchase if all recall repairs have been completed, as the low complaint frequency suggests owners have not experienced unresolved issues after those fixes.

11
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1295
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
15
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 15 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System6
Unknown Or Other1
Engine & Engine Cooling1
Engine1
Power Train1
Power Train,Electrical System1
Forward Collision Avoidance1
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Forward Collision Avoidance1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V606000Seat Belts:Rear/Other:RetractorReported 05/08/2021

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback… Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact…

22V034000TiresReported 26/01/2022

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1295 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB_2079747_22026-06-30StructureThis bulletin provides information regarding various complaints about front or rear door…
TSB_2076404_82026-06-29Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin provides a deployment overview for customer service packages MLB and MQB…
TSB_2074640_32026-06-26EngineThis bulletin provides information when there is increased oil consumption; >0.5ltr/1000…
TSB_2074729_32026-06-23Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of…
TSB_2059335_72026-06-23Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific S6. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 S6 take?

8.0 qt of Audi 0W-30, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 S6 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the S6 get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 28 highway / 22 combined mpg.