FaultScore

Audi A6 headlight problems

62 of the 2,209 complaints filed about the Audi A6 are about the lighting — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1999.

62

Complaints

3%

Share of all complaints

2

Crashes

5

Fires

Lights complaints by model year

1995 A6 2 3.2%
1996 A6 6 9.7%

Median failure at 50,000 miles

1997 A6 1 1.6%
1998 A6 4 6.5%

Median failure at 32,000 miles

1999 A6 10 16.1%

Median failure at 70,000 miles

2000 A6 4 6.5%
2001 A6 6 9.7%

Median failure at 90,000 miles

2002 A6 2 3.2%

Median failure at 81,050 miles

2003 A6 2 3.2%

Median failure at 71,000 miles

2004 A6 2 3.2%
2005 A6 6 9.7%

Median failure at 112,000 miles

2006 A6 3 4.8%

Median failure at 138,000 miles

2007 A6 3 4.8%

Median failure at 79,500 miles

2008 A6 6 9.7%

Median failure at 63,500 miles

2010 A6 1 1.6%

Median failure at 64,000 miles

2013 A6 1 1.6%
2019 A6 3 4.8%

What owners said

2013 Audi A6 Redwood City, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

When the turn signal is activated to go RIGHT, the turn indicator flashes LEFT (both the arrow on the instrument panel and the exterior lights). Since the driver is not consciously looking at the dash, this causes an unexpected lane change and dangerous (and illegal) lane change. There are no warning lights that there is an error/problem. This is an intermittent but frequent problem and replicable. I have not taken the issue to the dealer but research suggests that the turn signal stalk must be replaced. Searching online, I see that other Audi A6, for various years, have this problem. I also recently learned that Hyundai vehicles were recalled for this same issue. Hopefully you can look into it to see. Thank you.

NHTSA complaint #11700279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Audi A6 Gainesville, VA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Side marker light in headlight stopped working

NHTSA complaint #11604245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Audi A6 Neenah, WI

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

-Total electrical system failure (dealer confirmed starter generator). -After a short time of cautions followed by warnings, engine and all electrical components quit working. (no hazard lights). no way to warn other drivers on the road or highway to a malfunctioning vehicle -dealer confirmed starter generator needs replacement. waiting on part (60+ days and counting) -caution and warnings started appearing about 15 miles before the car became completely underivable. (every electrical system caution began appearing followed by warnings of impending engine shutdown)

NHTSA complaint #11504910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Audi A6 Raleigh, NC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Starter/Generator Alternator failed and caused the battery to die ultimately leading to losing full power of the car on highway. Warning lamps were present and indicated "electrical system malfunction and contact the dealer for service." Car lost full power on the way to dealership and almost resulted in a crash. Component has been inspected by the Audi Dealer and confirmed to be the issue. Symptoms appeared very quickly and within 30 minutes of the symptoms the car was inoperable.

NHTSA complaint #11497300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Audi A6 at 138,000 miles West Reading, PA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

ENGINE OIL LEAKS THIS IS A "NORMAL" PROBLEM THAT SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED BY THE CONSUMER AND THE ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS CORD BROKE OFF. WILL NOT TURN WITH VEHICLE

NHTSA complaint #11110141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Audi A6 Kingston, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

HEADLIGHT FLICKERING AND TURNS OFF WITH DIPPED LIGHT WARNING. REAR LIGHTS WARNINGS OF BULBS OUT RANDOM TIMES. SHUTTING LIGHTS OFF AND ON RESOLVES ISSUE WITH HEADLIGHTS.

NHTSA complaint #11083138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Audi A6 at 120,000 miles Worcester, MA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE LEFT DRIVERS SIDE BREAK LIGHT/SIGNAL WILL STOP WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. I HAVE NOTICED THAT IT TENDS WEATHER DEPENDENT. I HAVE READ AUDI FORUMS WHOM HAVE SAID THAT THE ELECTRICAL WIRING WHEN EXPOSED TO HEAT (70 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND ABOVE) WILL SHORT CAUSING THE LED BREAK/SIGNAL LIGHT TO NOT WORK. MY MECHANIC STATED THAT IT IS ALSO BECAUSE OF A FAULTY "LIGHT CONTROL MODULE + WIRING." DUE TO THE INTERMITTENCY AND HIGH COST OF THE JOB IT HAS NOT BEEN SOMETHING THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIX. I AM AFRAID THAT EVENTUALLY NONE OF THE TAIL LIGHTS WILL WORK OR EVEN AFTER REPAIRING IT, THE SAME ISSUE WILL ARISE. I FIRST NOTICED THIS IN MAY OF 2015, HOWEVER IT WAS FINE THROUGH THE FALL AND WINTER. I AGAIN NOTICED IT RANDOMLY THROUGH THE SUMMER MONTHS (JUNE-AUG).

NHTSA complaint #10913780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Audi A6 at 134,570 miles Dallas, TX

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A6. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, SMOKE ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT MELTED AND THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE FLICKERED. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REWIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,570.

NHTSA complaint #10892149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Audi A6 at 64,000 miles Larchmont, NY Crash

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

BLINKING DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT. AUDI HAS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN AND WILL NOT REPAIR FOR FREE !! TERE REASONING IS IS THAT I HAVE OVER 100 K MILES. I REPORTED THIS TO THEM WHEN I HAD 62 K MILES AND THEY SAID IT NEVER BLINKED WHEN THEY TESTED IT (NOT TRUE) THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD AT NIGHT AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME OVER $1,000 DOLLARS TO FIX....THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE!!!IN FACT AUDI CORPORATE IS AWARE AND ARE PICKING AND CHOOSING WHO GETS THE REPAIR FOR FREE!

NHTSA complaint #10888510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Audi A6 at 102,000 miles Pittsford, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

LEFT HEADLIGHT LOW DIPPING ERROR LEFT HEADLIGHT GOES OUT WHILE DRIVIMG

NHTSA complaint #10853518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Audi A6 at 112,000 miles Upper Marlboro, MD Fire

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2005 AUDI A6 WHICH HAS A FAILURE OF THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS. BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR TAIL LIGHTS FAIL TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON. THERE IS NO BRAKE LIGHT, TURN LIGHT INDICATOR, OR HAZARD LIGHTS THAT IS OPERABLE. AT FIRST IT WAS THOUGHT THAT THE BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, WHILE REPLACING THE BULB I NOTICED THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD SHOWED SIGNS OF A BURNOUT. IT IS WELL KNOWN THAT AUDI HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH VOLTAGE PROBLEMS WITH THE TAIL LIGHTS. WITHOUT TAIL LIGHTS, INDICATOR LIGHTS OR HAZARD LIGHTS THERE IS A SERIOUS CHANCE THAT AN ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR. CURRENTLY THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 112,000. AH

NHTSA complaint #10817459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Audi A6 Grand Prairie, TX

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

MY SUNROOF WILL NOT RETRACT..

NHTSA complaint #10726885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Audi A6 at 124,000 miles Baltimore, MD

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I STARTED MY CAR AND NOTICED A HEADLIGHT DIPPED WARNING LIGHT I GOOGLE THIS AND NOTICED THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10678744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Audi A6 at 150,000 miles Ellsworth, ME

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I ENTERED TODAY'S DATE AND MILEAGE BECAUSE I HAD TO DEAL WITH IT AGAIN THIS EVENING, BUT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE THE CAR HAD 70000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS NOW GOTTEN SO BAD THAT I HAVE TO TURN THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF EVERY 30 SECONDS OR SO WHILE DRIVING SO THEY WILL STAY ON ENOUGH TO GET THE CAR HOME. I DO NOT DRIVE IT AT NIGHT IF I DO NOT HAVE TO. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED. 141 OUT OF 188 COMPLAINTS YOU HAVE RECEIVED ON THIS CAR ARE DUE TO PEOPLE'S HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY $1000-2000 TO ATTEMPT TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW THAT OCCURS IN CARS WITH AS FEW AS 20000 MILES AND UP. I SAY ATTEMPT BECAUSE IF YOU READ THE THREADS ON THE TOPIC OF "AUDI DIPPED HEADLIGHT" YOU WILL FIND THAT NO FIX IS A SURE THING OR PERMANENT. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I SUBMITTED THIS SAME SAFETY COMPLAINT TO YOU A FEW YEARS AGO, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE AND, TO THIS DAY, PEOPLE ARE STILL SUBMITTING COMPLAINTS AFTER THEY ARE SUDDENLY DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH NO LIGHTS. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE KILLED BEFORE AUDI IS FORCED TO DO A RECALL?

NHTSA complaint #10637683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Audi A6 at 99,000 miles Raleigh, NC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS FOR THIS VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY FAIL AND THEN WORK AGAIN. INVESTIGATION REVEALED FRAYED, SHORTED OUT, DAMAGED, WIRING INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHTS. THE INSULATION ON MANY WIRES INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS ARE CRACKED, MISSING, FAILED AND THE BARE COPPER OR CONDUCTORS TOUCHING OTHER NEARBY CONDUCTORS. I'VE MADE CONTACT WITH AUDI TWICE NOW FOR A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. TWICE, I'VE BEEN TOLD EITHER THEY WEREN'T INTERESTED OR WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING. OUTSIDE OF ANY REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT REQUESTS, I WOULD EXPECT AUDI TO TAKE INTEREST WHEN A CUSTOMER BRINGS A SAFETY ISSUE TO THEIR ATTENTION. I WOULD THINK FAULTY WIRING INSIDE BOTH HEADLIGHTS ON A MODEL-YEAR 2007 WOULD BE A SAFETY CONCERN. IF I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT NIGHT OR IN THE RAIN AND MY HEADLIGHTS SHORT OUT AND FAIL, I WOULDN'T BE IN A GOOD POSITION. I'VE WORKED IN MANUFACTURING FOR 10 YEARS NOW, AND SAFETY OF WORKERS AND OF THE PRODUCTS MADE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THE #1 CONCERN. THIS INFORMATION SHOULD BE TREATED AS AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO DETERMINE A ROOT CAUSE AND PREVENT FUTURE OCCURRENCES IN NEW VEHICLES. IT'S NOT OFTEN INFORMATION IS PRESENTED SO EASILY. THIS WOULD POSSIBLY SAVE THE COMPANY MONEY IN WARRANTY REPLACEMENTS, AND ELIMINATE THE RISK OF CRASHES OR INJURY DUE TO FAILURES. BUT, THE INFORMATION SO FAR HAS BEEN TREATED AS A DISMISSIVE CUSTOMER REQUEST/COMPLAINT. THIS FAILURE IS BECAUSE OF POOR DESIGN (WRONG WIRE JACKET/INSULATION CHOSEN FOR ENVIRONMENT), NOT NATURAL WEAR AND TEAR, AGE, OR ABUSE. I HAVE DETAILED PICTURES OF THE FAILURE I CAN PROVIDE. REGARDS.

NHTSA complaint #10626976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Audi A6 at 121,000 miles Friendswood, TX

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHILE REPLACING A HEADLIGHT BULB I NOTICED THAT THE INSULATION ON WIRES INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT COMPARTMENT HAD FLAKED OFF, EXPOSING AT LEAST 1 INCH OF MULTIPLE WIRES (LOW BEAM AND HIGH BEAM) ALL ALONG THE LENGTH OF THOSE WIRES. BOTH HEADLIGHTS SHOW THE SAME SYMPTOM. HIGH BEAM WIRES (+V AND GND) ARE HELD TOGETHER WITH A ZIP TIE AND THERE IS FLAKING INSULATION ALL AROUND IT, SO USING THE HIGH BEAM COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING. AS ALL OF THE WIRES ARE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT NORMAL USE OF THE CAR (E.G. BOUNCING ALONG A ROUGH ROAD) COULD CAUSE THE WIRES TO CONTACT EACH OTHER AND SHORT CIRCUIT.

NHTSA complaint #10592604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Audi A6 at 97,000 miles SAN Francisco, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

OUR 2001 AUDI AND MANY OTHER CARS LIKE IT HAVE PLASTIC HEADLIGHTS THAT PERFORM WELL FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THEN IN ANY SUNNY LOCATION LIKE THE US SOUTHWEST THEY BEGIN TO FOG UP AND BECOME PROGRESSIVELY MORE OPAQUE. THIS RESULTS IS MORE LIGHT SCATTER USING THE HEADLAMPS AT NIGHT: THE HEADLAMPS NO LONGER FOCUS A NARROW BEAM OF LIGHT ON THE ROADWAY AHEAD. DUE TO FOGGED, OPAQUE HEAD LAMP LIGHT SCATTER VISIBILITY IS REDUCED PUTTING ESPECIALLY PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLES AT RISK WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. ALSO, ONCOMING TRAFFIC EXPERIENCES GREATER NIGHTTIME GLARE FROM FOGGED HEADLAMPS INCREASING ACCIDENT RISK. OFTEN, REPLACEMENT COSTS FOR NEW PLASTIC HEADLAMPS ARE PROHIBITIVE - AT TIMES MORE THAN THE COST OF A USED CAR. MANY US DRIVERS THUS DRIVE WITH FOGGED UP, OPAQUE HEADLAMPS. PREVIOUSLY GLASS HEADLAMPS DELIVERED MANY DECADES OF RELIABLE SERVICE WITHOUT EVER FOGGING UP AS DO THE WINDOWS OF ANY OLDER CAR. I BELIEVE THE NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE AND CONSIDER ISSUING A SAFETY RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10575329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Audi A6 at 109,000 miles Harrisburg, PA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2005 AUDI A6 HAS WATER DAMAGE. SOME HOW OVER NIGHT HEAVY RAIN SEEPAGE LEFT AN INCH OF WATER BEHIND DRIVER SEAT. CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. ALL WINDOWS AND DOORS WHERE CLOSED. THIS HAS CAUSED $10,000.00 ELECTRICAL DAMAGE TO MODULES LOCATED UNDER FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THESE MODULES ALERT ME ABOUT ESP/ABS AND PARK BRAKE AS WELL AS A MODULE THAT POWERS THE VEHICLES MMI/NAVIGATION AND STEREO SYSTEM. NONE OF THESE FUNCTION ANY LONGER. INSURANCE COMPANY WANTS TO TOTALED THE VEHICLE,I SPENT $7000.00 ALREADY ON REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. DON'T KNOW WHERE THE WATER ENTERED MY VEHICLE. IS AUDI RESPONSIBLE? THIS APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW.

NHTSA complaint #10549335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Audi A6 at 63,500 miles Traverse City, MI

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE HEAD LIGHT WOULD WORK SOMETIMES AND OTHERS IT WOULD NOT TOOK VEHICLE THE DEALER WAS TOLD MUST REMOVE BUMPER AND REPLACE HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLY COMPLETE THE COST WOULD BE AROUND $ 800.00AFTER RESEARCHING SPECIFIC PROBLEM HEAD LAMP WAS REPLACEABLE WITHOUT BUMPER REMOVAL AND WITHOUT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT COST 100.00 PRICE OF BULB. AUDI OF AMERICA SHOULD BE ABLE TO TROUBLESHOOT THIS PROBLEM VERY EASY AND THEY ARE PURPOSELY TRYING TO RIP THE CUSTOMER OFF. NOT TO MENTION THE DANGER A INTERMITTENT HEAD LIGHT POSSES ON THE ROAD DIP HEAD LIGHT ERROR.

NHTSA complaint #10499979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Audi A6 Glendale, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CAR BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON ALL THE TIME AND IT REVES ALL THE TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10479363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Audi A6 problems