55 of the
2,209 complaints filed about the Audi A6
are about the glass, mirrors and wipers —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1999.
55
Complaints
2%
Share of all complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers complaints by model year
I am reporting a manufacturing defect involving the dashboard on my 2022 Audi A6. The dashboard has begun bubbling and warping, particularly near the area close to the windshield. This defect appears to be common among Prestige‑trim Audi A6 vehicles, as other owners have reported similar dashboard warping. The warping causes the dashboard material to rise upward, which reflects additional glare and partially obstructs visibility through the lower portion of the windshield, especially in certain lighting conditions. This reduces my ability to clearly see hazards low on the road ahead, creating a potential safety risk. Additional Details: - The vehicle has not been modified. -The issue has progressively worsened over time. - The defect appears to affect normal forward visibility and could distract the driver. Audi has not issued a recall for this known problem, despite multiple similar complaints from other owners (Effected Models per online research: ETron, R8, A6, A7, A8, Q7, Q8). I am asking NHTSA to investigate this dashboard defect as a potential manufacturing defect and safety hazard due to obstructed visibility and distracted driving caused by glare/reflection from the warped dashboard surface.
NHTSA complaint #11719386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rearview camera (or various combinations of between 1 and 4 of the surround view cameras -- no rhyme or reason to which camera(s) fail in a given incident) frequently fails and displays a black screen instead of rearward facing view. This happens roughly one of every ten times I start my car, and is resolved only after I turn my car off, lock it, and leave it alone for several minutes. This has been the case since the car was new to me (I am the second owner of the vehicle, having purchased it 8 months and 10k miles after the original owner). This severely compromises rearward visibility and is in direct violation of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 111. Without the mandated backup camera, I am unable to see immediately behind my vehicle, increasing the risk of a collision with a pedestrian, another vehicle, or an animal/other object. The problem has been reproduced by two separate Audi dealers (Audi Marin and Audi Palo Alto), but they have been unable to resolve the issue upon repeated inspection of my vehicle. There are no warning lamps or errors prior to the failure. The only indication of failure is when I shift into reverse and see a black screen. This issue is consistent with other owners' experiences (see [XXX] ) who own vehicles on the same infotainment infrastructure (2019-2020 Audi A6/A7/A8/Q7/Q8). Similarly, it is consistent with the issue underpinning Compliance Recall 91DZ, affecting the same vehicles of the 2021 model year onward. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11607013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle defrost system stopped working due to the aluminum heater core getting clogged. The Audi maintenance does not have an interval for flushing the system on a regular basis. The vehicle only has 58,000 miles and the the failed/clogged heater core is preventing the defrost and defogging of the windshield making visibility dangerous in cold weather and sunlight.
NHTSA complaint #11498379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS CEASED TO WORK CREATING DANGEROUS SITUATION. DEALER DENIED EXPRESS WARRANTY CLAIM. WIRING ON WIPERS WAS SO FLIMSY AS TO APPARENTLY ALLOW A MOUSE TO CHEW THROUGH COATING. DEALER CHARGED OVER $640. TO REPLACE A $20 WIRE. SEVERAL E-MAILS AND CALLS TO AUDI OF AMERICA DID NOT BRING ANY ACTION.
NHTSA complaint #10668224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
AFTER THIRTY MINUTES, AC VENT ON PASSENGER SIDE STARTS BLOWING VERY HOT AIR. TEN MINUTES LATER THE AC VENT ON DRIVER'S SIDE DOES THE SAME. A SHORT WHILE LATER THE TWO CENTER VENTS BLOW HOT AIR. THE NEXT DAY IS ALL STARTS OVER. AUDI SENT OUT A TECHNICAL BULLETIN TB 2013883/1 DOING A MEA CULPA STATING IT WAS THEIR FAULT. WHEN THEY MANUFACTURED IT THEY GOT METAL SHAVINGS FROM THE ENGINE INTO THE AC PUMP. BUT THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO FIX IT. I HAVE AN ESTIMATE FOR $1300.
NHTSA complaint #10428344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1. NORMAL USE HAS LEAD TO THE FAILURE. 2. THE FAILURE IS THAT THE WIPER BLADES LEAVE A 4" - 6" WIDE STREAK ACROSS THE LINE OF VISION OF THE DRIVER. THIS OCCURS WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS OF REPLACING THE BLADES WITH NEW BLADES FROM THE DEALER, WHICH IS THE ONLY PLACE THESE PARTICULAR STYLE BLADES CAN BE PURCHASED. ONCE IT STARTS, THE FAILURE OCCURS AT EVERY USE UNTIL REPLACED BY NEW BLADES. I PURCHASED A NEW PAIR OF BLADES TWO WEEKS AGO AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAS FAILED ALREADY. 3. I HAVE REPLACED THE BLADES WITH NEW BLADES WHICH ONLY SOLVES THE PROBLEM FOR A VERY SHORT, WEEK OR TWO, PERIOD OF TIME. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER IF THERE WERE ALTERNATE DESIGN WIPER ARMS THAT COULD BE PURCHASED AND RETROFITTED AND WAS TOLD NO. THE STOCK ARMS ARE DESIGNED TO BE USED WITH "AERO" STYLE BLADES AND SEEM TO BE THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10308343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH DUAL ZONE AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL. THE CENTER I.P. VENTS BLOW COLD AIR WHILE ALL OTHER VENTS BLOW VERY HOT AIR. THIS OCCURS ALMOST ANY TIME THE AIR CONDITIONER IS USED. DEALERSHIP WAS TOLD, DID NOT ATTEMPT TO FIX. AUDI RELEASED A TSB IN 12/08 DETAILING THE CAUSE TO BE DEBRIS LEFT IN THE ENGINE BLOCK DURING PRODUCTION. AUDI REFUSES TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10279437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE WINDSHIELD WASHER SYSTEM FAILS ROUTINELY IN AUDI A6 MODELS 1998 TO 2005 CAUSING THE FLUID RESERVOIR TO RAPIDLY EMPTY LEADING TO LOSS OF VISIBILITY IN BAD WEATHER LEADING TO A TRAFFIC SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #10254347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP DURING WIPER CYCLE. WIPERS DO NOT RESET OR RESTART FOR 30-45 SECONDS AFTER STOPPING. WIPERS WILL NOT START OR RESET IF DRIVER MOVES WIPER SELECTOR LEVER DURING MALFUNCTION INTO ANY MODE, DELAY, LOW OR HI. PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS WHEN RAINING. COULD NOT DUPLICATE EFFECT IN DRY WEATHER. PROBLEM PRIMARILY OCCURS WHEN WIPERS ARE IN THE DELAY MODE. WIPERS WILL STOP AT ANY ANGLE ON WINDSHIELD WHEN MALFUNCTION STARTS. PROBLEM DURATION AND FREQUENCY INCREASED WITH TIME FROM SEVERAL TIMES A MONTH TO EVERY 60-90 SECONDS WHILE WIPERS WHERE ACTIVATED OVER 12 MONTH PERIOD. VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE EFFECT. DURING WIPER MALFUNCTION, IF WIPER SELECTOR LEVER IS MOVED TO THE OFF POSITION WHILE WIPERS ARE STUCK IN A RAISED/ELEVATED POSITION, WIPERS WILL NOT RESET. WIPERS WILL REMAIN IN MALFUNCTIONING POSITION ON WINDSHIELD UNTIL WIPER SELECTOR LEVER IS MOVED TO DELAY/LO/ OR HI SETTING AND THEN WIPER WILL RESUME NORMAL FUNCTION AFTER 60-90 SECONDS. DEALER HAS NOT TAKING ACTION TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AFTER REPEATED REQUESTS BY OWNER.
NHTSA complaint #10252769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT IS EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT FAILURES WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND TURN SIGNALS. BASED ON THE VIN, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 096V17000 IN 1996. THEY ARE OBLIGATED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ONLY ONCE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
NHTSA complaint #10238063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT EFFECTIVELY CLEAR THE SNOW; THE SNOW IS PUSHED INTO THE AIR INTAKE; THE MELTED SNOW FORMS ICE/SNOW GLOBS ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS REDUCING VISIBILITY TO VERY HAZARDOUS LEVELS. THIS BUILDUP HAS TO BE MANUALLY REMOVED WITH A SCRAPER. THIS WIPER BLADE ASSEMBLY IS USED ON ALL NEWER AUDI'S ( 2002 FORWARD) AND SOME VOLKSWAGENS. WE PURCHASED THE 2004 ALLROAD AND A 2005 VW TOUREG THIS SPRING UNDER DEALER CERTIFIED USED CAR PROGRAMS. BOTH HAVE THE SAME WIPER ASSEMBLY. AUDI INFORMS ME THERE IS NO WINTER BLADE; ONLY OPTION: PURCHASE OLD STYLE WIPER ARMS AND INSTALL WINTER WIPER BLADES. PRICE:$157/ ARM --NOT INCLUDING INSTALLATION. THERE SHOULD BE A PROPERLY ENGINEERED WINTER BLADE. I LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE WE HAVE 6 MONTHS OF WINTER WITH AN AVERAGE SNOWFALL OF 60-90 INCHES/ YEAR. THESE WIPERS ARE UNACCEPTABLE. TODAY, I HAD TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONCE BETWEEN MY WORK AND THE ENTRANCE TO RT 87 ( 1/2 HR TIME WISE DUE TO SNOW/ TRAFFIC) AND 3 MORE TIMES FROM MY ENTRANCE ON RT 87 ( EXIT 6) TO EXIT 13--SO EVERY TWO EXITS. THANK GOODNESS THE SNOW EASED, BECAUSE MY EXIT FOR HOME IS EXIT 18. I AM A NURSE, FORMER ARMY MAJOR, FORMER ICU HEAD NURSE AND CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AS A CONSULTANT IN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY. I KNOW A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN I SEE ONE. I HAVE NEVER HAD A MORE HAZARDOUS DRIVE. THE PARTS FELLOW ( JASON) AT LANGAN AUDI EAST INFORMED ME THAT HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THIS MORNING WHILE DELIVERING AN A4 WITH THE SAME WIPER ASSEMBLY. HE TELLS ME THAT THEY HAVE HAD THIS COMPLAINT BEFORE. BRUCE SHELLNUT AT AUDI CUSTOMER SERVICE CHECKED A COLORADO DEALER AND THEY ADVISE THE OLD STYLE ARMS/WINTER BLADES BE INSTALLED IF THE CUSTOMER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE WINTER FUNCTION OF THE OEM BLADE. BRUCE EXPLAINED THAT IF THERE WERE AN ISSUE WITH SAFETY, THAT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAYTRAFFIC INSTITUTE WOULD HAVE ISSUED A RECALL. I ASSURED HIM I WOULD WRITE YOU. AUDI CUSTOMER SERVICE COMPLAINT: 703666665.
NHTSA complaint #10211860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1999 AUDI A6 AVANT WITH SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE AUDI TO PAY FOR THE LAST 4 REPAIRS THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE. CONSUMER HAS HAD SOME SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE AND STATES THAT IT IS A LEMON. *KB THERE WAS A RUMBLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK COMING FROM THE ENGINE, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO A BAD PIPE, THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED, THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING, THE BACK WHEELS WERE DRAGGING SO THE PADS WOULD NOT RELEASE, THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE, T HE SUNROOF WAS INOPERATIVE, THE TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE TIMING BELT, WATER PUMP, GASKET OIL COOLER AND SERPENTINE BELT WERE ALL REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10208310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IN ORDER TO WASH THE WINDSHIELD OF MY 2005 AUDI A6, I NEED TO LIFT THE WIPERS OFF THE GLASS BUT, ON THE A6, YOU CANNOT LIFT THE WIPERS BECAUSE THEY SET BELOW THE HOOD LINE. THE HOOD BLOCKS MY LIFTING THEM. AUDI PROVIDES A "SERVICE POSITION" FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHICH MOVES THEM A FEW INCHES ALLOWING ME TO LIFT THEM OFF THE WINDSHIELD SO I CAN CLEAN THE GLASS. IN ORDER TO ACCESS THE "SERVICE POSITION" FOR THE WIPERS, I AM REQUIRED TO MOVE THE IGNITION KEY TO "ON." I TURNED THE IGNITION ON, CHOSE THE "SERVICE POSITION" FOR THE WIPERS, HEADED OUT OF THE CAR AND LIFTED THE WIPERS OFF THE WINDOW. THE WIPERS WERE NOW SEVERAL INCHES AWAY FROM THE WINDSHIELD, OUT IN SPACE, ALLOWING ME TO WIPE THE GLASS EASILY. WHEN I APPLIED MY WINDEX, THE AUTOMATIC SENSOR THAT STARTS THE WIPERS IF IT SENSES RAIN, NOTED THE LIQUID ON THE WINDSHIELD AND BEGAN TO MOVE THE WIPERS BACK AND FORTH EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE STICKING UP AND AWAY FROM THE WINDSHIELD. THE MOVEMENT BROUGHT THEM TOWARDS MY HEAD AND I JUST MOVED MY HEAD IN TIME NOT TO BE STRUCK IN THE EYE BY THE WIPERS. SINCE THE CAR REQUIRES THAT I TURN THE IGNITION ON TO ACCESS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS "SERVICE POSITION," THE CHOICE OF "SERVICE POSITION" SHOULD AUTOMATICALLY TURN OFF THE AUTOMATIC RAIN SENSOR SO THE WIPERS CAN BE HANDLED SAFELY. UPDATED 01-16-08.
NHTSA complaint #10201243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WATER INSIDE CAR. ACCORDING TO DEALER, SUN ROOF DRAINS WERE CLOGGED. APPARENTLY MANY OWNER'S WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS WAS NOT LIMITED TO AUDI, BUT ALL VOLKSWAGEN PRODUCTS.
NHTSA complaint #10189980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS WERE CLOUDY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REFLECTIVE MATERIAL IN THE MIRRORS WAS PEELING. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. UPDATED 9/5/2006 - THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACED THE MIRROR FREE OF CHARGE.
NHTSA complaint #10162938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2000 AUDI AX6 AXLE BROKE, TRANSMISSION IS POOR, LEFT FRONT RIM CRACKED, RACK AND PINION WORN, FLOOD LIGHTS DO NOT WORK, AIRBAG, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL WINDOWS AND SUNROOF FAILURES. *TS THE INSIDE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10161586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2000 AUDI AX6 AXLE BROKE, TRANSMISSION IS POOR, LEFT FRONT RIM CRACKED, RACK AND PINION WORN, FLOOD LIGHTS DO NOT WORK, AIRBAG, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL WINDOWS AND SUNROOF FAILURES. *TS THE INSIDE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10161586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.