NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the lane departure warning system causes it to turn off unexpectedly on certain 2019 Q8, A7, and A6 models that were previously repaired under recall 25V900.
This page covers 9 recalls, 111 owner complaints and NHTSA crash-test ratings for the 2019 Audi A6.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Electrical system complaints dominate owner reports for the 2019 Audi A6, accounting for a large share of the total filings. The most frequently described issue involves the door lock system behaving erratically, locks failing to engage or release on command, spontaneously re-locking, and in some cases trapping occupants inside the vehicle. A smaller but notable group of owners describes broader electrical failures while driving, including sudden loss of power steering, loss of braking assist, and complete engine stall. Engine complaints make up the second-largest named category, with some owners describing internal wear symptoms, though these reports are less numerous. The powertrain rounds out the top three, with owners noting transmission-related concerns alongside the broader electrical events. The door lock malfunction pattern is the single most consistent thread across these filings.
111
Total Complaints
2
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
The 2019 Audi A6 has 9 recalls, the most serious being two electrical issues: spilled liquid in the rear seat can shut down the gateway control module and suddenly cut engine power, and on mild-hybrid models with the 2.0 TFSI engine, moisture entering the starter generator can cause an electrical short and a fire.
Two recalls involve the front passenger airbag: the instrument panel cover and the airbag's score line can both prevent the airbag from inflating properly in a crash, and either failure can send plastic fragments into the cabin. On the driver assistance side, a software error can silently deactivate the lane departure warning system, and a separate software fault can prevent the rearview camera image from appearing when reversing. The fuel level sender can stick and display an inaccurate reading, which may cause the engine to stall unexpectedly if the tank runs dry without warning. There is also a mislabeled brake fluid cap on certain vehicles that can lead to the wrong fluid being used, reducing braking performance. A tire information label on some vehicles incorrectly references a spare tire the car does not have, though this does not affect how the vehicle drives.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the lane departure warning system causes it to turn off unexpectedly on certain 2019 Q8, A7, and A6 models that were previously repaired under recall 25V900.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will update the vehicle's software at no charge to restore proper lane departure warning function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying on the screen as intended.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the vehicle software at no cost to restore rearview camera display function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake fluid reservoir cap may be labeled incorrectly, potentially leading to the wrong type of brake fluid being used.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the brake fluid reservoir cap and replace it if needed, at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Liquid spilled in the rear seat can seep into and disable the gateway control module, which manages vehicle electrical systems.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a protective cover over the gateway control module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel level sender can stick, causing the instrument cluster to display an inaccurate fuel level reading.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a new sensor in the tank at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger air bag's score line may not have been manufactured correctly, potentially affecting proper air bag deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the passenger air bag score line and repair it as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The instrument panel cover may be defective, preventing the passenger-front airbag from inflating correctly during a crash. Pieces of plastic could also be thrown toward occupants when the airbag deploys.
What the fix does
Audi will mail you instructions to visit a dealer, who will inspect and repair the passenger-front airbag score line in the instrument panel as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tire information label lists inflation pressure for a spare tire, but these vehicles have no spare tire installed. The label should say 'none' instead.
What the fix does
The manufacturer updated production to print correct tire information labels on all new vehicles going forward.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Moisture can enter the starter generator in the mild-hybrid system, causing an electrical short circuit.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the starter generator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
