Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 71% | 21,000 miles |
| 2025 | 2 | 33% | — |
| 2021 | 11 | 61% | 38,000 miles |
| 2020 | 18 | 69% | 67,000 miles |
| 2019 | 84 | 74% | 14,000 miles |
| 2018 | 1 | 9% | — |
| 2017 | 2 | 10% | 35,000 miles |
| 2016 | 8 | 16% | 49,000 miles |
| 2015 | 3 | 14% | 73,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 5% | 9,000 miles |
| 2013 | 7 | 13% | 78,000 miles |
| 2012 | 13 | 22% | 75,000 miles |
| 2011 | 3 | 14% | 7,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 12% | 64,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2008 | 7 | 10% | 64,000 miles |
| 2007 | 6 | 11% | 99,000 miles |
| 2006 | 13 | 19% | 111,000 miles |
| 2005 | 16 | 18% | 109,000 miles |
| 2004 | 3 | 9% | 95,000 miles |
| 2003 | 14 | 21% | 82,000 miles |
| 2002 | 15 | 17% | 63,000 miles |
| 2001 | 14 | 12% | 70,000 miles |
| 2000 | 36 | 24% | 77,000 miles |
| 1999 | 37 | 17% | 91,000 miles |
| 1998 | 8 | 6% | 78,000 miles |
| 1997 | 14 | 70% | 105,000 miles |
| 1996 | 38 | 75% | 104,000 miles |
| 1995 | 10 | 63% | 118,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2026 Audi A6. The contact stated that while driving in stop-and-go traffic, a second vehicle reversed and struck the front end of the contact's vehicle. During the crash, the driver's side front air bag failed to deploy. The contact sustained a neck injury that required medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene. Following the crash, several safety-related failures occurred while operating the vehicle, including an illuminated air bag warning light, an "SOS system not available" warning message, a malfunctioning seat belt restraint that failed to properly secure the driver, and a trunk lid that failed to latch properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failures. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 21,002.
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).
The contact owns a 2021 Audi A6. The contact stated while his father was driving 45 MPH, the electrical system Malfunction warning light illuminated. The contact stated that several electronic components started to turn off until the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the starter generator to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the parts being on backorder. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
Car reported an engine restarter issue (with battery symbol) and recommended to contact the dealer. Car next shut down automatic restart system, and air conditioning stopped working. Within a short period of time (same day), the car listed a red battery symbol and advised to stop the car. After doing so and contacting the Audi roadside, the car was listing a series of issues on multiple symptoms while also saying in the warning message "still okay to drive". These systems included steering, braking, and what seemed to be other sensors the car powers. Finally (and within 5 minutes of the previous message of being okay to drive), the warnings were continuous and started including the transmission. The car stopped accelerating (we were on the expressway) and we thankfully got to the side of the road. …
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.
The contact owns a 2020 Audi A6. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The brake, transmission, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the windows inadvertently rolled up and down while driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver's and passenger's side rear seats sustained water damage, which caused an unknown electrical system component to malfunction. The dealer informed the contact that the manufacturer declined the replacement part. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.
I was slowing down to stop at a traffic light when a message was displayed on the instrument panel that says "Electrical System Malfunction" with a yellow battery icon. A few seconds later the same "Electrical System Malfunction" with a red battery icon. Then the vehicle came to a complete stop and was inoperable. There was almo smoke coming from the hood near the positive battery terminal. The smoke had an electrical smell to it. I had no opportunity to pull over and was stuck in the middle of a very busy road right at the stop line of the traffic light. My family and I had to exit the vehicle with traffic on both sides of us and get to the side of the road safely. There was no prior indication that there was a problem, this happened all within about 5-10 seconds and I had no time to try and pull over to safety. …
The contact owns a 2019 Audi A6. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the warning message "electrical malfunction" suddenly displayed along with a red battery icon. After turning off and restarting the vehicle, the message remained displayed, but the battery icon changed to yellow. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the starter generator was faulty and needed to be replaced; however, the part was on backorder and would not be available for several months. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 42,000. The contact stated that the replacement part is now available but they have to wait for the installation. Audi has been notified and is aware of the issues.
Related recalls (8)
Electrical system › Software
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 SQ8, A6 SEDAN, A7, A8, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S6 SEDAN, S7, S8, A6 Allroad, and SQ7 vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail.
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Electrical system
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Audi S7, S6 Sedan, A6 Allroad, 2021-2022 RS7, RS6 Avant, 2019-2022 A7, and A6 Sedan vehicles. Liquid spilled in the rear seat may penetrate and cause the gateway control module to shut down.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Electrical system › Instrument panel › Fuel gauge › Fuel level float/sensor/sending unit
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 RS6 Avant and RS7, 2020-2022 A6 Allroad, S6 Sedan, and S7, and 2019-2022 A6 Sedan and A7 vehicles. The fuel level sender may stick, causing an inaccurate fuel level reading to be displayed on the instrument cluster.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new sensor in the tank, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2023. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 20DN.
Electrical system › Starter assembly
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Audi A6 vehicles equipped with mild-hybrid technology and 2.0TFSI engines. Moisture may enter the starter generator and cause an electrical short circuit.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the starter generator, free of charge. The recall began by May 22, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Electrical system › Wiring
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi A6 Sedans and 2015 Audi A7 vehicles. The auxiliary heater electrical connector on these vehicles may have been incorrectly inserted into the auxiliary heater, possibly resulting in increased electrical resistance.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the auxiliary heater connector, replacing the auxiliary heater and connector, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2019.
Show 3 more recalls
Electrical system
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with halogen low beam headlights, certain connector pins in the headlight switch connector come into contact with each other causing a short circuit.
Remedy: Dealers will reroute the wiring harness by installing a jumper wiring harness. The recall began on December 16, 2006. Owners May contact Audi at 1-800-822-2834.
Electrical system
On certain passenger vehicles, if a driver's knees push against the knee bolster (crash element) located under the dashboard, it can contact the headlight switch wiring harness, and an electrical short could occur.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective covering on the knee bolster (crash element). In addition, the wiring harness as well as the felt protector on the left side of the dashboard carrier will be checked, and replaced if…
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Defective ignition switches were improperly manufactured and can cause some electrical accessories to malfunction.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
NHTSA investigations
Driver's side dash fire
Volkswagen of America, inc. (voa) conducted a safety recall (NHTSA recall number 04V133) to add a plastic cover to the top section of the knee bolster crossmember to prevent contact with the headlight switch wiring harness.the scope of the original recall covered model years 1998 through 2004 with vehicle production dates of August 1997 through December 2004.the office of defects investigation has received nine…
Drivers side dashboard fire
Of the 22 total complaints, 11 were received for the 1999 model year and 11 for the 2000 model year. Audi is conducting testing to determine the origin and cause of the fire.
Drivers side dash fire
The subject vehicles are equipped with a knee bolster located under the dash, near the drivers knees.a wiring harness is also located in the dash, in that same area.Audi's analysis of 39 vehicles indicated that the knee bolster was rubbing against that wiring harness.over time the harness sheathing wears away and the wires come into contact with the metal knee bolster, resulting in a fire.
Frequently asked questions
Which Audi A6 years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2019 (84), 1996 (38), 1999 (37), 2000 (36) and 2020 (18) model years. Electrical complaints make up 74% of all complaints for the 2019.
Is there a recall for Audi A6 electrical problems?
Yes — 8 recalls, including 25V-201 (software, Mar 31, 2025); 22V-861 (electrical system, Nov 21, 2022); 22V-155 (fuel level float/sensor/sending unit, Mar 14, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Audi A6 electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles; 22% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the ignition › switch (42 mentions), followed by the ignition (21).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.