RoadVitals

2020 Audi A6

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
27
+1 complaint in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
9
Latest Dec 19, 2025
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 27 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Audi A6, most frequently naming the electrical, driver assistance and body & structure categories. 9 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1,394 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical1954.3%
  • Driver assistance617.1%
  • Body & structure38.6%
  • Steering25.7%
  • Interior & seats25.7%
  • Fuel system12.9%
  • Brakes12.9%
  • Engine12.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

9 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Dec 19, 2025
356,894 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 90TVView on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID

Aug 25, 2023
7,499 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi S7, S6 Sedan, RS7, RS6 Avant, A6 Allroad, 2019-2021 A7, and A6 Sedan vehicles. An incorrectly labeled brake fluid cap may have been installed, which can result in the use of the wrong type of brake fluid.
The risk: Incorrect brake fluid can reduce braking ability and increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect the brake fluid reservoir cap and, if necessary, replace it, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 17, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47T9.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 47T9View on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Nov 21, 2022
50,883 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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. Audi's number for this recall is 90V2.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 90V2View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Oct 27, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Audi A6. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the malfunctioning system central locking error message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a central locking system malfunction. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was scheduled for an upcoming diagnostic test. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure with similar vehicles. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.

NHTSA ID
11774012
Incident
Feb 9, 2026
Mileage
32,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 8, 2026

Central locking malfunction. Vehicle reports central lock error and can’t be opened easily from outside or inside. Unlocking from the key fob leads to the door locks to malfunction. Operating door handles is impossible from inside or outside. All doors are impacted.

NHTSA ID
11769800
Incident
Sep 1, 2026
Filed Sep 3, 2026

The electronic/central door locking system on my 2020 Audi A6 malfunctioned. The vehicle and affected components are available for inspection upon request. The vehicle was running with my two young children secured in car seats in the rear seats. I briefly exited and closed the driver's door. When I attempted to re-enter, the vehicle was locked and I was unable to gain access for approximately 10 minutes. My key fob was in my pocket but the proximity/keyless entry system failed, and repeated attempts with both my primary and spare key fobs failed to unlock the vehicle. My children were too young to operate the locks or release themselves from their car seats. I was preparing to break a window when the driver's door suddenly began functioning normally again after approximately 10 minutes. This created a serious safety risk because I could not access my young children in the vehicle during the malfunction. An authorized Audi dealer subsequently inspected the vehicle and diagnosed faults in both rear door latch units and recommended replacement. Audi of America has also been notified of the incident and dealer findings. The dealership quoted me a 2600$ repair for both door latches and refused to provide any assistance despite the obvious safety risk of this defect. the vehicle is almost exactly 5 years form purchase date with approximately 46k miles Prior to this incident, the vehicle had displayed "Central locking malfunction" and child-lock related warnings. The front passenger door latch mechanism was also replaced by Audi under warranty in July 2024 following a previous locking-system concern. This vehicle has now experienced locking-system problems involving multiple doors. I am concerned this intermittent failure could recur and again prevent access to vehicle occupants. Copies of dealership inspections/repairs can be provided on request

NHTSA ID
11762041
Incident
Jun 1, 2026
Electrical
Filed Mar 7, 2026

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 ID
11722663
Incident
Mar 2, 2026
Electrical
Filed Mar 7, 2026

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 ID
11722661
Incident
Mar 5, 2026
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Feb 8, 2026

* 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 ID
11716608
Incident
Jan 10, 2026
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jan 6, 2026

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 ID
11709059
Incident
Jan 6, 2026
Mileage
67,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 9, 2025

I was traveling at ~65mph on the freeway when the sunroof spontaneously exploded. It was louder than a gunshot—I nearly lost control of the vehicle. The explosion occurred in the outward direction. There was no evidence of impact of preexisting damage. Internet research suggests this is not an uncommon occurrence.

NHTSA ID
11698392
Incident
Nov 7, 2025

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB_2070568_7

This bulletin provides informaiton on the use of the PICO-NVH tool (VAS 611 015).

TSB_2064848_2

POWER TRAIN

This bulletin provides infomration when basic settings are not possible after repair; DTC P17F900 stored in the TCM.

TSB_2059363_7

SUSPENSION

This bulletin provides information when the air spring symbol is illuminated; DTC U112100 or C1260F0.

TSB_2082976_3

This bulletin provides information regarding the current top concerns being addressed by the Audi Digital Business Solutions (DBS) team.

TSB_2075199_3

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin proides service information when there is a prompt to take over the steering wheel (hands off detection).

TSB_2080517_5

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides information when the starter battery is discharged or malfunctioning.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Audi A6 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027000—
2026700—
2025620—
2024310—
2023310—
2022250—
20211811058.6
2020Viewing279055.1
20191147052.4
2018112055.5
2017203043.7
2016513049.0
2015224056.6
2014414045.9
2013526051.4
2012608045.1
2011213054.2
2010173052.8
2009214046.2
2008714049.8
2007534049.1
2006674048.1
2005913148.5
2004354152.0
2003667154.9
2002884155.2
20011137262.1
20001484458.5
19992179866.5
199813010662.7
1997202054.4
1996512045.5
1995162149.6
1994211—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.