Makes›Audi›S6›2009

2009 Audi S6

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2009 models.

Audi S6
Pictured: Audi S6 Avant C8 IMG 4309. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan AWD
Engines
5.2L 10-cyl
Drivetrain
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
16 combined · 14 city / 19 hwy
Length
193.7 in
Curb weight
4,531 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 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, 26% below the 2009 midsize car average of 21.6 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 19 similar 2009 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2009 Audi S6 is a midsize car offered with a 5.2L 10-cyl engine and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 194 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,531 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 16 MPG combined (14 city / 19 highway), 26% worse than the 2009 midsize car average of 21.6 MPG, for an estimated $5,150 a year in fuel.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file.

What changed for 2009

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2008 S6 — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2008; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2008 S6 →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan AWD193.7 in73.2 in57.1 in111.8 in62.2 / 61.8 in4,531 lb58/42

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
S65.2L 10-cylAutomatic (S6)4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16-26%$5,150555
Spend $13,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
21.6 MPG2009 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2009 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2009 Audi S6 under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2009 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2009 Audi S6 (this car)16 MPGNot rated3
2009 BMW 5 Series21 MPGNot rated3
2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class26 MPGNot rated0
2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class17 MPGNot rated0
2009 BMW 7 Series17 MPGNot rated2
2009 Audi A621 MPGNot rated4
2009 Lexus LS21 MPGNot rated2

Recalls (3)

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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 11, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V032000 · 33,421 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the 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 2005-2008 Audi A4 Avant, A4 Sedan, A6 Sedan, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan vehicles, 2007-2008 A4 Cabriolet, RS4 Sedan, S4 Cabriolet and S6 Sedan vehicles, and 2006-2008 A6 Avant and 2008 RS4 Cabriolet vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in 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. 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 front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle 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. The recall began March 30, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall number 18V427.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2009 Audi S6 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

No owner complaints for the 2009 Audi S6 in NHTSA's database since 2015.

Used 2009 Audi S6 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2009 Audi S6. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other S6 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2025 S622194.9 inNot rated34
2024 S622194.9 inNot rated10
2023 S622194.9 inNot rated10
2022 S622194.9 inNot rated44
2021 S622194.9 inNot rated100
2020 S622194.9 inNot rated62
2018 S618193.7 in★★★★★14
2017 S621193.7 inNot rated25
2016 S621193.7 inNot rated219
2015 S620193.7 inNot rated25
2014 S620193.7 inNot rated319
2013 S620193.7 inNot rated341

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →