2025 Audi Q6 E-Tron 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 2025 Audi Q6 E-Tron, 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
- Electrical1938.0%
- Driver assistance1122.0%
- Powertrain (other)612.0%
- Fuel system48.0%
- Brakes24.0%
- Steering12.0%
- Suspension12.0%
- Airbags12.0%
- Tires & wheels12.0%
- Engine12.0%
- Exterior lighting12.0%
- Other / unspecified12.0%
- Seat belts12.0%
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
While driving my Audi Q6 e-tron on the highway, the vehicle experienced a sudden and complete loss of propulsion and nearly all vehicle electrical/display functions. The instrument cluster and dashboard went completely black, and the vehicle would no longer respond to accelerator input. I was able to get the vehicle to the side of the highway. After the failure, the vehicle could not be restarted or driven. The dashboard and vehicle controls remained inoperative, and I was unable to electronically lock the vehicle. The primary functions that continued to operate were the hazard warning lights and the SOS emergency-call button. An unusual additional symptom was that the steering wheel continued to vibrate intermittently/continuously for hours after the vehicle had become inoperative, indicating that at least some electrical systems remained powered despite the apparent shutdown of the vehicle. Because the vehicle lost propulsion and its primary displays and controls while traveling on a highway, I consider this a serious safety issue. There was no indication that the high-voltage traction battery was depleted. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Audi dealership. The dealership has not yet identified the cause of the failure and has escalated the diagnosis to a specialized Audi technician. I am submitting this complaint because a sudden and unexplained loss of propulsion, instrument displays, and vehicle control systems while driving could create a significant risk of a collision, particularly if it occurs at highway speed or in a location where the driver cannot safely move the vehicle out of traffic.
For more than three months, my Audi Q6 e-tron has been sitting at the dealership with an unresolved issue that they have failed to diagnose or repair. This prolonged inaction is unacceptable, and the near-total lack of communication or meaningful updates only compounds the problem. It is alarming that a premium vehicle equipped with advanced safety technology remains inoperable for such an extended period. This situation raises serious concerns about both the reliability of the vehicle and the dealership’s ability to address critical issues. When safety systems are involved, delays of this magnitude are not just inconvenient—they are dangerous and erode customer trust. I demand that Audi take immediate action to provide a definitive resolution, whether through a successful repair or an appropriate remedy under the vehicle’s warranty and applicable consumer protection laws. Leaving a customer without answers for months while a safety-related issue persists is unacceptable and must be addressed without further delay.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
CENTRAL LOCKING MALFUNCTION. Central locking malfunction will lock my kids INSIDE my car and my key not work. It will also lock me inside the car and the emergency not work. There is a class action lawsuit for this!!! And all of my electrical will completely go out.
Entire MMI including driving information, speed, milage and heads up including potential other systems went dark.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving my Audi Q6 e-tron on the highway, the vehicle experienced a sudden and complete loss of propulsion and nearly all vehicle electrical/display functions. The instrument cluster and dashboard went completely black, and the vehicle would no longer respond to accelerator input. I was able to get the vehicle to the side of the highway. After the failure, the vehicle could not be restarted or driven. The dashboard and vehicle controls remained inoperative, and I was unable to electronically lock the vehicle. The primary functions that continued to operate were the hazard warning lights and the SOS emergency-call button. An unusual additional symptom was that the steering wheel continued to vibrate intermittently/continuously for hours after the vehicle had become inoperative, indicating that at least some electrical systems remained powered despite the apparent shutdown of the vehicle. Because the vehicle lost propulsion and its primary displays and controls while traveling on a highway, I consider this a serious safety issue. There was no indication that the high-voltage traction battery was depleted. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Audi dealership. The dealership has not yet identified the cause of the failure and has escalated the diagnosis to a specialized Audi technician. I am submitting this complaint because a sudden and unexplained loss of propulsion, instrument displays, and vehicle control systems while driving could create a significant risk of a collision, particularly if it occurs at highway speed or in a location where the driver cannot safely move the vehicle out of traffic.
On May 6, 2026, while operating the vehicle on a neighborhood street, the vehicle experienced a sudden, violent, and dangerous failure. After accelerating away from a stop sign, the vehicle was traveling at approximately 20-25 mph when, simultaneous with a warning message, it came to an immediate and abrupt stop. A number of error messages appeared in rapid succession on the vehicle’s MMI. Those messages referenced, among other things, drive battery errors, a major electrical system failure, and drivetrain issues. After the abrupt stop, the driver, attempted to restart the vehicle. Following one failed attempt, the vehicle restarted; however, after traveling approximately 30 feet, the vehicle again came to an abrupt, violent, and sudden stop. After several additional failed attempts to restart the vehicle, the driver allowed the vehicle to sit idle for approximately five minutes. The driver was then able to restart the vehicle and drive it, very cautiously and slowly, approximately two miles to a safe location. Once in a safe location, driver contacted the dealer who confirmed that the vehicle was unsafe to operate. The vehicle was towed to the dealership. On May 7, 2026, the dealer informed us that they had found “several different faults stored in the vehicle but those faults all basically contradict each other.” The dealer further informed us that they would need to contact Audi in Germany for guidance on how to proceed with diagnosis and repair. On May 22, 2026, the dealer informed us that "(w)e do need to drop the battery. There is a module in one of the battery cells that we are going to replace and also the module that controls the battery as well".
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
On XXX, I was driving my Audi Q6 e-tron southbound on [XXX] in the HOV lane at highway speed with my family inside. Without warning, the vehicle suffered a complete power failure, dropping instantly to zero acceleration.Because I had no propulsion, I was forced to coast the unpowered vehicle across three lanes of active traffic to reach the right shoulder. Trailing traffic approaching quickly from behind narrowly avoided rear-ending us, and the vehicle side-slipped multiple times during the coast. It is a miracle my family survived the maneuver.Once I managed to get the car stopped on the shoulder, the vehicle exhibited erratic and dangerous electronic behavior. The car remained running and flatly refused to shut off despite my attempts. Furthermore, for some completely unknown reason, the steering wheel would not stop moving and shaking back and forth (right and left) entirely on its own while the vehicle was stationary.The California Highway Patrol (CHP) arrived to secure the scene. I used the vehicle's emergency contact button to contact Audi. While waiting, I called Calabasas Audi, where the car was being towed, and spoke to an employee named Ark. Ark stated he had never heard of this happening (the car not shutting off and the steering wheel shaking). He instructed me to push the door lock/unlock button to see if it would reset the system, but this did nothing. The vehicle was completely disabled and unsafe to operate. This severe defect put my family's lives at risk, and I have zero trust in this vehicle. I request an immediate safety investigation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
On May 6, 2026, while operating the vehicle on a neighborhood street, the vehicle experienced a sudden, violent, and dangerous failure. After accelerating away from a stop sign, the vehicle was traveling at approximately 20-25 mph when, simultaneous with a warning message, it came to an immediate and abrupt stop. A number of error messages appeared in rapid succession on the vehicle’s MMI. Those messages referenced, among other things, drive battery errors, a major electrical system failure, and drivetrain issues. After the abrupt stop, the driver, attempted to restart the vehicle. Following one failed attempt, the vehicle restarted; however, after traveling approximately 30 feet, the vehicle again came to an abrupt, violent, and sudden stop. After several additional failed attempts to restart the vehicle, the driver allowed the vehicle to sit idle for approximately five minutes. The driver was then able to restart the vehicle and drive it, very cautiously and slowly, approximately two miles to a safe location. Once in a safe location, driver contacted the dealer who confirmed that the vehicle was unsafe to operate. The vehicle was towed to the dealership. On May 7, 2026, the dealer informed us that they had found “several different faults stored in the vehicle but those faults all basically contradict each other.” The dealer further informed us that they would need to contact Audi in Germany for guidance on how to proceed with diagnosis and repair. On May 22, 2026, the dealer informed us that "(w)e do need to drop the battery. There is a module in one of the battery cells that we are going to replace and also the module that controls the battery as well".
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
During a routine start up of the vehicle, I received countless errors and warnings that caused the vehicle to be determined unsafe to operate. Drive system, Air Suspension, Loose wheel warning, Lane change warning, blind spot indicator malfunctions. There is an exhaustive list of errors that were received, over 10 different malfunctions with one stating to drive slow at a max rate of 35mph. This has happen on multiple occasions in which the braking system does not operate properly and caused more force from the drive to stop the vehicle. Causes the suspension to not operate properly and making the vehicle less stable to operate. The vehicle was towed into my local Audi dealer where they state a "software update is required" and after 10 days it has not been resolved.
The vehicle presented multiple malfunctions in the high-voltage electrical system, braking system, and charging system. Errors included: high voltage electrical system malfunction, failure to shift gears (stuck in Drive), inaccurate battery level reporting, brake system malfunction, and air conditioning failure. The vehicle lost braking capability and acceleration while in motion, representing an imminent danger that could have caused a serious accident or fatality. Additionally, the car previously failed to start and became stuck in gear, which could prevent the driver from moving the vehicle in a critical situation or emergency. Yes. The vehicle was accepted by Audi San Juan after it lost braking capability on July 19. The malfunctions were recorded on video and shared with Audi. The vehicle has been inspected by the manufacturer’s dealer (Audi San Juan). At this time, there has been no inspection by police or insurance representatives. Yes. On June 20, warning messages appeared regarding the charging system malfunction, high-voltage electrical system, and battery at 0 miles despite showing 30% charge. On July 19, additional warnings appeared regarding brake malfunction, a loose tire, and again the high-voltage system error. These were accompanied by failure of the air conditioning, loss of acceleration, and loss of braking power.
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
The vehicle exhibits multiple critical safety defects that pose a severe risk to my life and the lives of my children. Most notably, the steering system performs sudden, unintended maneuvers and the steering wheel moves with dangerous abruptness without driver input. Additionally, severe electrical failures frequently prevent the doors from opening or the vehicle from powering down, creating a high risk of entrapment. The seat belts frequently jam, making it impossible for passengers to release them in an emergency. Power windows operate spontaneously, and the car often refuses to lock or unlock. This vehicle has been out of service for a total of 63 days across 5 separate repair attempts. As of today, the vehicle has been at the dealership for 8 consecutive days with no updates or progress reports from the manufacturer. Despite these repeated failures and the car being unusable for over two months, Audi refuses to provide a buyback, claiming the vehicle is 'operating as designed.' This is a blatant disregard for public safety, as the vehicle remains unpredictable and prone to total system failure while on the road.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
During a routine start up of the vehicle, I received countless errors and warnings that caused the vehicle to be determined unsafe to operate. Drive system, Air Suspension, Loose wheel warning, Lane change warning, blind spot indicator malfunctions. There is an exhaustive list of errors that were received, over 10 different malfunctions with one stating to drive slow at a max rate of 35mph. This has happen on multiple occasions in which the braking system does not operate properly and caused more force from the drive to stop the vehicle. Causes the suspension to not operate properly and making the vehicle less stable to operate. The vehicle was towed into my local Audi dealer where they state a "software update is required" and after 10 days it has not been resolved.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
he contact owns a 2026 Audi E6. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, another driver abruptly cut in front of the contact’s vehicle in ongoing traffic, causing the contact to t-bone the other vehicle. The contact stated that none of the air bags deployed in the contact’s vehicle; however, the other vehicle’s air bags did deploy. No warning lights were illuminated prior to the crash. No immediate medical attention was sought; however, the contact later experienced abdominal pain, chest pain, and extensive bruising. Additionally, the contact’s spouse suffered back, shoulder, and knee pain following the crash. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene and subsequently towed to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the air bags were not designed to deploy because the crash occurred at a low speed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000 miles.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2025 Audi Q6 E-Tron equipped with Bridgestone Tires, Tire Line: Alenza AS Ultra, Tire Size: 285/45/R20, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact stated that the rear tires indicated premature tread wear. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that similar failures were known failures; however, the tires were not inspected or replaced. The tire manufacturer was made aware of the failure and directed the contact to the vehicle manufacturer because the tires were OEM for the vehicle. The vehicle manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was directed to the tire manufacturer for additional assistance. The failure mileage was 10,000.
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
On XXX, I was driving my Audi Q6 e-tron southbound on [XXX] in the HOV lane at highway speed with my family inside. Without warning, the vehicle suffered a complete power failure, dropping instantly to zero acceleration.Because I had no propulsion, I was forced to coast the unpowered vehicle across three lanes of active traffic to reach the right shoulder. Trailing traffic approaching quickly from behind narrowly avoided rear-ending us, and the vehicle side-slipped multiple times during the coast. It is a miracle my family survived the maneuver.Once I managed to get the car stopped on the shoulder, the vehicle exhibited erratic and dangerous electronic behavior. The car remained running and flatly refused to shut off despite my attempts. Furthermore, for some completely unknown reason, the steering wheel would not stop moving and shaking back and forth (right and left) entirely on its own while the vehicle was stationary.The California Highway Patrol (CHP) arrived to secure the scene. I used the vehicle's emergency contact button to contact Audi. While waiting, I called Calabasas Audi, where the car was being towed, and spoke to an employee named Ark. Ark stated he had never heard of this happening (the car not shutting off and the steering wheel shaking). He instructed me to push the door lock/unlock button to see if it would reset the system, but this did nothing. The vehicle was completely disabled and unsafe to operate. This severe defect put my family's lives at risk, and I have zero trust in this vehicle. I request an immediate safety investigation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
Thank you for your response and for acknowledging the difficulties I have experienced with my Audi Q6 e-tron. I appreciate your willingness to escalate my concerns and ensure they are properly reviewed. I had originally sent this to you on 9/10/2025 for escalation. As requested, here is the information: •Vehicle VIN: [XXX] •Current Mileage: 1,204 •Date Vehicle Went in for Service (current visit): 9/10/2025 (3rd visit) •Consent to Share with Audi Dallas: Yes, you have my full consent to share this information with Audi Dallas for review and coordination. I want to emphasize that the vehicle has now been in the shop three times and is currently still there, meaning it has spent more time in Audi’s possession than in mine. Despite raising my concerns directly with the General Manager of Audi Dallas and the Service Department, there has been a lack of coordination and resolution, which has left me in the position of paying for a vehicle I cannot reliably drive. My expectation is to move beyond repeated repair attempts. I am respectfully requesting that Audi consider a goodwill lease exchange into a Q8 Sport or comparable gas-powered vehicle. While I understand the financing complexities of my original lease, and the Q8’s higher positioning within the lineup, I do not believe it is reasonable to expect me to continue paying for a defective vehicle. “In addition to the goodwill lease exchange I’m requesting, I would also like consideration for the payments I’ve already made on this lease, as well as the $700 I spent customizing the vehicle’s rims. Since the car has spent more time in Audi’s possession than mine, I believe it is fair to have those payments and costs credited toward the new lease.” Traffic light warning, lights I look forward to your confirmation of my case number, assignment of a case manager, and the next steps toward resolution. I am not willing to return to Audi until a new deal for another vehicle has been established. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
My Audi Q6 Etron has 1 year and 10,390 miles. I was informed by the dealership that tires are already showing excessive thread wear causing a safety hazard due to lack of traction. Replacement is needed. This was never disclosed by Manufacturer or dealership until last Friday during the 10,000 mile service. Short life span was hidden to me until my first service and is affecting all Audi Q6 Etron owners.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
The vehicle exhibits multiple critical safety defects that pose a severe risk to my life and the lives of my children. Most notably, the steering system performs sudden, unintended maneuvers and the steering wheel moves with dangerous abruptness without driver input. Additionally, severe electrical failures frequently prevent the doors from opening or the vehicle from powering down, creating a high risk of entrapment. The seat belts frequently jam, making it impossible for passengers to release them in an emergency. Power windows operate spontaneously, and the car often refuses to lock or unlock. This vehicle has been out of service for a total of 63 days across 5 separate repair attempts. As of today, the vehicle has been at the dealership for 8 consecutive days with no updates or progress reports from the manufacturer. Despite these repeated failures and the car being unusable for over two months, Audi refuses to provide a buyback, claiming the vehicle is 'operating as designed.' This is a blatant disregard for public safety, as the vehicle remains unpredictable and prone to total system failure while on the road.
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 .