401 of the
2,209 complaints filed about the Audi A6
are about the electrical system —
18% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2019.
THE GATEWAY COMPUTER WAS FRIED DUE TO WATER CONSUMPTION. I WAS DRIVING AND LOST ALL POWER IN THE CAR AND HADE TO PULL OVER WITH NO POWER TO HELP ME. ALSO THIS WAS ALREADY RECALLED IN 2019-2022 AUDI FIX WAS TO PUT A PLASTIC BAG AROUND THE GATE WAY COMPUTER BUT THIS DID NOT PRETECT THE GATEWAY PROPERLY. THE GATEWAY IS LOCATED UNDER THE REAR SEAT DEALER CONFIRMED THE GATEWAY HAD WATER DAMAGE AND WOULD NOT WARENTY THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH I STILL HAD A WARENTY AUDI DELT WITH MY INSURANCE TO CORRECT THR PROBLEM. ALL WORNING LIGHT APPERIRED WHEN THE PROBLEM ACCURED ONLY.
NHTSA complaint #11756202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Drive Train suffered a life threatening loss of propulsion on a main highway . My safety was at risk due to the losing propulsion leaving me in the middle of the highway in an unsafe vehicle. Multiple communication-module fault codes. Dealer has acknowledged these issues. there were warning lights and multiple messages after .
NHTSA complaint #11745641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car throw a EPC warning light which cause the car to go n limp mode. With doing research ot has to do with the transmission. This cause the car to drive sluggish unable to reverse at times unable to take the car out of park at times. It also cause the car to randomly shut off when reversing or at times when im sitting at a light n i begin to drive the car can randomly shut off at times. Which in my open is unsafe because what if the the person behind me isnt payimg attention and i get rear ended. Ive reached out to Audi dearlership is was told a part was discontiued and to bring it in for them to further diagnostic it. Ive had the codes read and im getting the symptoms of the code i pulled but told that part was discontiued. So i feel like if thats the case Audi should have did a recall on the car.
NHTSA complaint #11744229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The central locking / electronic door lock system on my 2019 Audi A6 intermittently malfunctions, sometimes with a long beep sound and an error message appearing on the screen in front of my steering wheel. The affected system is available for inspection upon request. The issue does not happen all the time, but the door sometimes fails to unlock or appears to re-lock while I am trying to open it. In late April 2026, in the morning, I was leaving YogaSource in [XXX] . As I approached my vehicle in the parking lot, an unstable individual was approaching the area near my car. I attempted to enter the vehicle quickly for safety, but the central locking system malfunctioned. As I tried to unlock and open the door, the vehicle appeared to lock again and the door would not open. I was temporarily locked out of the vehicle during a potentially unsafe situation. The door eventually opened only after I pushed the door inward with force, locked and unlocked the vehicle again, and tried the handle again. This created a very concerning safety risk because I could not immediately access my vehicle when I needed to get inside quickly as the individual approached me. The problem has not yet been fully reproduced or confirmed by a dealer to my knowledge. I previously mentioned the central locking issue during service and asked whether there was a recall. I was told there was no recall and that a lock replacement would cost approximately $850. The issue I have been experiencing appears consistent with Audi Technical Service Bulletin XXX/5, which applies to 2019 to 2024 Audi A6 models and describes central locking / door lock concerns and related fault codes. Because the defect is intermittent, it may be difficult to reproduce, but it creates a safety concern because the driver may be unable to access the vehicle when needed. I tolerated this issue for a while now, but now I realize what a big safety concern it really is and I'm surprised that a recall has not been issued. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
NHTSA complaint #11736719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
We are reporting serious safety-related faults involving my leased 2026 Audi A6, VIN [XXX] , and a same-model 2026 Audi A6 loaner provided by Audi Central Houston. Core safety issues: 1. My vehicle previously displayed a Park/rollaway warning indicating Park could not be engaged. 2. My vehicle has had repeated starting-system faults, including: “Engine start system: malfunction! Please contact Service.” 3. Our vehicle has been the subject of multiple repair visits at Audi Central Houston and is currently at the dealer, available for inspection. 4. After the third repair order, Audi Central Houston represented the vehicle was ready for pickup. Before we accepted return, the same starting-system malfunction reportedly recurred during Audi’s own test-drive/verification process. Audi added that April 30 recurrence to the still-open third repair order. 5. While our A6 remained at the dealer, Audi Central Houston provided a same-model 2026 Audi A6 loaner. That loaner displayed: “P not possible. Risk of rolling away! Please contact Service.” A photo is available. 6. Because the loaner warning stated Park was not possible and there was a risk of rolling away, we did not leave it parked unattended and returned it directly to Audi Central Houston. The apparent failed/malfunctioning systems involve Park engagement, electronic shift-by-wire, transmission control, parking interlock, starting-system control, electrical modules, software, gateway communication, or related safety-critical controls. Safety is at risk because a vehicle that cannot reliably engage Park may roll away and injure occupants, pedestrians, bystanders, or service personnel. Audi Central Houston has inspected/serviced vehicle. Audi of America/VW Group has been notified under Audi Case No. XXX. We request NHTSA investigate whether 2026 Audi A6 vehicles have a safety defect involving Park engagement, rollaway risk, starting-system malfunction, transmission/electronic controls, software, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA
NHTSA complaint #11735671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shortly after purchasing in 2025 I began having occasional issues with the door locks. Eventually the issue would self resolve but now I have experienced at least 2 times in last month being locked inside the vehicle and unable to exit without climbing into the passenger seat. I have not taken it in for repairs yet due to cost concerns but I am worried about this dangerous situation.
NHTSA complaint #11733922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Complete shut down of all electrical associated components while driving on highway Loss of power steering loss of braking loss of ability to accelerate transmission failure loss of lane detection, loss of car detection. Diagnosed as , faulty alternator recall repaired and continuation of same electrical failures despite six additional repairs Multiple failures of all electrical components on highway road and side roads
NHTSA complaint #11732943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving yesterday, the MMI reset and included the dashboard. The dash completely froze for a couple minutes(including the speedometer), and then the whole system blacked out and restarted. There has been a check engine light on since I got the car in December. Havent been able to get a service appointment with a loaner. Also since new, adaptive cruise control works intermittently with a warning that a door is open(when all doors are completely closed).
NHTSA complaint #11728031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
February 27, at approximately 1:20am my vehicle caught fire while parked in the driveway after sitting for about 9 hours. The fire originated near the gas tank. The fire department was called, there is a fire report being conducted. Audi was notified.
NHTSA complaint #11723814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The Audi software/MMI system has issues showing the 360 cameras in addition to the rear facing camera. Every few starts when I back out of a parking space/garage, the side mirror cameras show a black or camera with a cancel sign on the screen. The issue will not stop until the car is parked/off. for at least an hour. This issue has been happing since I purchased the car back in early 2021 and Audi did not "lemon-out" the car. I believe this is just as dangerous as the recent backup camera recall. I have asked Freehold, NJ Audi and Cherry Hill, NJ Audi to review, but they said if it doesn't happen when there, they can't action. I believe this is the same software issue the backup camera has and requires a similar recall as drivers rely on the side cameras for parking and there is a risk we c an hit another object or person.
NHTSA complaint #11722661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Audi A6s have had massive issues with the door actuators. There are times when you go open the passenger side doors (both front and rear) and the doors will not open as there is either an electrical, software, or device specific issue. It requires 2-3 pulls of the door latch to open the front and rear passenger doors. The issues keep appearing a month or two after the dealership supposedly fixes the issue. I have had this fixed/reviewed 4+ times between Freehold, NJ and Cherry Hill, NJ Audi dealerships. This has been going on since I purchased the car in early 2021. I have asked them to push this up to Audi corporate and have received no response. Audi will also not offer a lemon buyout for these door issues. I believe this needs to be heavily reviewed as if you search the Audi forum websites online, this is a constant problem for the 2018-2023 A6s.
NHTSA complaint #11722663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My alternator was not working and it was a recall and I paid to fix it and they don’t wanna pay me back. I got a new part from audi and fix it at the shop and they don’t wanna pay anything just called and she said we don’t pay only if he’s done at the dealer. And I don’t believe that! Bc dealer told me they pay if I fix it any where to get done quick bc was out stock
NHTSA complaint #11720235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2011 Audi A6 seems to be overlooked compared to the rest of the Audi’s yet the Audi has so many different issues such as timing chain such as water pump, such as brake issues, such as rack pinion yet there hasn’t been anyone investigating this in particular make a model it needs to be done for safety reasons. Additionally, I was never contacted for the airbags cars registered DMV and nobody has bothered to inform me of the New airbag issues. What other issues are there brought to one’s attention?
NHTSA complaint #11717713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
* Passenger front Seat wiring harness corrosion and failure due to water ingress due to leaking web plate in the longitudinal member on passenger side. Water ingress in passenger compartment caused electrical failure and black mold to grow in the interior carpet and seat rails as well as in an electrical well in the floor board. *Black mold and mildew can cause long term health risks to those persons exposed especially if one didn’t know the mold was present. *The vehicle has been repaired at VW dealership in Missoula, MT. Service tech couldn’t figure where the water was coming from. Finally did research to find an Audi TSB 2059792/5 with the cause and remedy. *Recently Purchased this car and later found the seat not working. The VW dealership/service found the electrical corrosion and mold. Mold was not visible until the seat was moved. Mold was extensive throughout the passenger side under the seat - spread and growing under the carpet, insulation and in the electrical well in the floor board. Pictures attached - tech write up also available upon request. No warning lights were present. ** Audi put out a TSB (Tech Service Bulletin) in 2023 and repaired the cars under warranty - assume this was a wide spread issue for a TSB to be issued and for Audi to manufacture parts to fix the problem. Mold can have serious long term consequences to anyone exposed. I believe Audi should have done a recall for safety reasons. I just bought the car on 1/10/26 used with under 40,000 miles. Carfax or other research did not turn up a recall. I have sent a letter to Audi of America detailing the problem, referencing the TSB and asking them to cover the cost of repair as they had covered the cost on vehicles under warranty. This car is just out of the 5 year warranty but has only 40,000 miles on it. No recall was issued that I can find. Any help you render would be appreciated. Mold exposure is serious if not immediate.
NHTSA complaint #11716608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Incident Summary for NHTSA Complaint Component Involved: Electrical System: Alternator / Charging System Vehicle State: In motion (City street/Highway) Speed at Failure: Approximately [Insert Speed] MPH Narrative Description: The vehicle suffered a catastrophic electrical failure while in motion, resulting in an immediate and total engine stall in live traffic. This failure occurred without sufficient warning to safely maneuver the vehicle to the shoulder, creating an immediate safety hazard and risk of collision. This is a recurring safety defect: Repeat Failure: This is the second time this specific VIN has suffered a mid-traffic alternator failure. An Audi-certified replacement was installed by an authorized dealer (Audi Arlington) in 2022 following an identical incident. That replacement part has now failed. Failure of "Service Action" (27BQ): Despite an active Service Action for this component, the vehicle was not repaired during multiple prior service visits at authorized dealerships. The manufacturer failed to proactively address the defect, leading to this second roadside emergency. Cascading Electrical Instability: This VIN has a documented history of systemic electrical and safety system failures, including a gasket failure that compromised safety electronics and a total fuel system replacement due to sensor failure. The manufacturer (Audi) has classified this sudden loss of power in traffic as "non-critical," despite the clear risk of high-speed collision and physical injury. I am requesting a formal investigation into the recurring failure of the 27BQ component and the adequacy of the manufacturer's current service remedy.
NHTSA complaint #11715048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car started with charging issues, Audi said they performed an update that was supposed to fix the problems however they did not complete the update like stated. . The car on 2 occasions while driving MMI screen went blank almost caused me to crash. There was no indication or warnings I took it in again where it’s still at. . The vehicle has been in service several times without being repaired. The charging issue has been on going and does not allow charging or disconnects. on several occasions the car driver assist like lane change braking have gone off without warning.even after saving my preference due to it not saving preference. I have called their support we have tried reinstalling the app. I have been told each time at the Audi service it’s something different. Currently where it’s being serviced again it’s now the charging port. And the battery gets to hot and the previous Audi service didn’t complete the update.
NHTSA complaint #11714296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2019 Audi A6 sedan displays warnings for the Start/Stop system malfunction indicated in Audi's document: "Emissions Service Action Code: 27BQ" [XXX] I'm still waiting to hear if this has been elevated to Recall status. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11712442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Audi A6. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, water leaked into the vehicle and accumulated in the rear passenger’s side area of the vehicle. The contact initially believed that the failure might be related to inclement weather; however, the issue persisted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where a video diagnostic inspection was performed. The dealer diagnosed that water had entered in through the longitudinal member and passenger’s side footwell, causing damages to the gateway control module which required replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact expressed concerns that water intrusion could create a hazardous condition and potentially lead to additional vehicle failures. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.
NHTSA complaint #11709059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving at normal speed, the entire digital instrument panel suddenly went black and a red warning triangle appeared. I lost all gauges, including speedometer, fuel level, and warning indicators. This created a serious safety risk because I was in active traffic and had no way to know my speed or see alerts. My VIN shows an open recall for this exact defect (instrument cluster blackout), but the failure has already happened during normal driving. I consider the vehicle unsafe to drive until repaired.
NHTSA complaint #11703548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.