2026 Audi A6 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2026 Audi A6, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical433.3%
- Driver assistance325.0%
- Fuel system216.7%
- Engine18.3%
- Powertrain (other)18.3%
- Steering18.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
vehicle was put into gear and lost propulsion . Then all adas warning lights illuminated. This is the second time this has happened
Drive Train suffered a life threatening loss of propulsion on a main highway . My safety was at risk due to the losing propulsion leaving me in the middle of the highway in an unsafe vehicle. Multiple communication-module fault codes. Dealer has acknowledged these issues. there were warning lights and multiple messages after .
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
We are reporting serious safety-related faults involving my leased 2026 Audi A6, VIN [XXX] , and a same-model 2026 Audi A6 loaner provided by Audi Central Houston. Core safety issues: 1. My vehicle previously displayed a Park/rollaway warning indicating Park could not be engaged. 2. My vehicle has had repeated starting-system faults, including: “Engine start system: malfunction! Please contact Service.” 3. Our vehicle has been the subject of multiple repair visits at Audi Central Houston and is currently at the dealer, available for inspection. 4. After the third repair order, Audi Central Houston represented the vehicle was ready for pickup. Before we accepted return, the same starting-system malfunction reportedly recurred during Audi’s own test-drive/verification process. Audi added that April 30 recurrence to the still-open third repair order. 5. While our A6 remained at the dealer, Audi Central Houston provided a same-model 2026 Audi A6 loaner. That loaner displayed: “P not possible. Risk of rolling away! Please contact Service.” A photo is available. 6. Because the loaner warning stated Park was not possible and there was a risk of rolling away, we did not leave it parked unattended and returned it directly to Audi Central Houston. The apparent failed/malfunctioning systems involve Park engagement, electronic shift-by-wire, transmission control, parking interlock, starting-system control, electrical modules, software, gateway communication, or related safety-critical controls. Safety is at risk because a vehicle that cannot reliably engage Park may roll away and injure occupants, pedestrians, bystanders, or service personnel. Audi Central Houston has inspected/serviced vehicle. Audi of America/VW Group has been notified under Audi Case No. XXX. We request NHTSA investigate whether 2026 Audi A6 vehicles have a safety defect involving Park engagement, rollaway risk, starting-system malfunction, transmission/electronic controls, software, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA
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).
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
vehicle was put into gear and lost propulsion . Then all adas warning lights illuminated. This is the second time this has happened
Drive Train suffered a life threatening loss of propulsion on a main highway . My safety was at risk due to the losing propulsion leaving me in the middle of the highway in an unsafe vehicle. Multiple communication-module fault codes. Dealer has acknowledged these issues. there were warning lights and multiple messages after .
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
vehicle was put into gear and lost propulsion . Then all adas warning lights illuminated. This is the second time this has happened
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
Drive Train suffered a life threatening loss of propulsion on a main highway . My safety was at risk due to the losing propulsion leaving me in the middle of the highway in an unsafe vehicle. Multiple communication-module fault codes. Dealer has acknowledged these issues. there were warning lights and multiple messages after .
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
We are reporting serious safety-related faults involving my leased 2026 Audi A6, VIN [XXX] , and a same-model 2026 Audi A6 loaner provided by Audi Central Houston. Core safety issues: 1. My vehicle previously displayed a Park/rollaway warning indicating Park could not be engaged. 2. My vehicle has had repeated starting-system faults, including: “Engine start system: malfunction! Please contact Service.” 3. Our vehicle has been the subject of multiple repair visits at Audi Central Houston and is currently at the dealer, available for inspection. 4. After the third repair order, Audi Central Houston represented the vehicle was ready for pickup. Before we accepted return, the same starting-system malfunction reportedly recurred during Audi’s own test-drive/verification process. Audi added that April 30 recurrence to the still-open third repair order. 5. While our A6 remained at the dealer, Audi Central Houston provided a same-model 2026 Audi A6 loaner. That loaner displayed: “P not possible. Risk of rolling away! Please contact Service.” A photo is available. 6. Because the loaner warning stated Park was not possible and there was a risk of rolling away, we did not leave it parked unattended and returned it directly to Audi Central Houston. The apparent failed/malfunctioning systems involve Park engagement, electronic shift-by-wire, transmission control, parking interlock, starting-system control, electrical modules, software, gateway communication, or related safety-critical controls. Safety is at risk because a vehicle that cannot reliably engage Park may roll away and injure occupants, pedestrians, bystanders, or service personnel. Audi Central Houston has inspected/serviced vehicle. Audi of America/VW Group has been notified under Audi Case No. XXX. We request NHTSA investigate whether 2026 Audi A6 vehicles have a safety defect involving Park engagement, rollaway risk, starting-system malfunction, transmission/electronic controls, software, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .