2011 Audi S6
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2011 models.

- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan AWD
- Engines
- 5.2L 10-cyl
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 16 combined · 14 city / 21 hwy
- Length
- 193.7 in
- Curb weight
- 4,486 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 16 MPG combined, 31% below the 2011 midsize car average of 23.2 MPG.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 16 similar 2011 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2011 Audi S6 is a midsize car offered with a 5.2L 10-cyl engine and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 194 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,486 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 16 MPG combined (14 city / 21 highway), 31% worse than the 2011 midsize car average of 23.2 MPG, for an estimated $5,150 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file.
What changed for 2011
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2010 S6 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2010; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2010 S6 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan AWD | 193.7 in | 73.2 in | 57.1 in | 111.8 in | 62.2 / 61.8 in | 4,486 lb | 58/42 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S6 | 5.2L 10-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 21 / 16 | -31% | $5,150 | 555 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2011 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2011 Audi S6.
Similar 2011 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Audi S6 (this car) | 16 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2011 BMW 5 Series | 25 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 20 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2011 BMW 7 Series | 20 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2011 Audi A6 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2011 Lexus LS | 20 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2011 Jaguar XJ | 19 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Recalls (2)
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jun 22, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V427000 · 237,947 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Sedan, A4 Avant, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan, 2007-2008 RS4 Sedan, 2004 RS4 Cabriolet, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2005-2011 A6 Sedan, 2006-2011 A6 Avant, and 2007-2011 S6 Sedan vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag with an alternate remedy part, free of charge. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R7. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 16V382, 17V032 and 18V004 and includes vehicles that may have had their air bag previously replaced under one of those campaigns.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 4, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V004000 · 10,166 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Audi A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles, ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet vehicles, and 2009-2011 Audi A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Audi mailed an interim owner notification March 02, 2018. When parts to perform the recall repair become available, Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in June 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69U1. Note: This recall has been superseded by 18V427.
Not every 2011 Audi S6 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
No owner complaints for the 2011 Audi S6 in NHTSA's database since 2015.
Used 2011 Audi S6 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2011 Audi S6. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other S6 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 S6 | 22 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 4 |
| 2024 S6 | 22 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 S6 | 22 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 S6 | 22 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 4 | 4 |
| 2021 S6 | 22 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 10 | 0 |
| 2020 S6 | 22 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 6 | 2 |
| 2018 S6 | 18 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 4 |
| 2017 S6 | 21 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 2 | 5 |
| 2016 S6 | 21 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 2 | 19 |
| 2015 S6 | 20 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 2 | 5 |
| 2014 S6 | 20 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 19 |
| 2013 S6 | 20 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 41 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →