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Home›Audi›Audi A6› electrical problems
Owner complaints · Electrical System · every model year

Audi A6 electrical problems, 2016–2027

140 of the 280 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Audi A6 2016–2027 name the electrical system (NHTSA’s “Electrical System” heading — wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading). The loudest years: 2019 (84), 2020 (23), 2021 (15). Filed under the same heading across these years: 7 manufacturer bulletins, 6 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.

140 complaints, 12 model years 50% of everything filed about the A6 typically at 35k miles

Audi A6 electrical problems by model year

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications

One row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.

Model yearComplaints naming the electrical systemShare of the year’sTypically atOn file under the heading
20270——10 TSBsthe year →
2026450%—183 TSBsthe year →
2025229%—467 TSBsthe year →
20240——635 TSBsthe year →
2023133%—678 TSBsthe year →
20220——733 TSBs · 2 recallsthe year →
20211558%—874 TSBs · 4 recallsthe year →
20202370%—730 TSBs · 3 recallsthe year →
2019 in depth8474%—479 TSBs · 3 recallsthe record →
201819%—167 TSBsthe year →
2017210%—191 TSBsthe year →
2016816%—256 TSBs · 1 recallthe year →

Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the electrical system. Nothing here is a rate.

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When the electrical complaints were filed, and at what mileage

Source: NHTSA complaint database
140complaints name the electrical system, all years

Filed per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2020: 2 · 2021: 7 · 2022: 28 · 2023: 62 · 2024: 12 · 2025: 6 · 2026: 20

35kmiles, typically

Across the model years, half of the 15 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the electrical problem between 14,000 and 42,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.

In owners’ own words

Source: NHTSA complaint database

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the electrical system, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.

I experienced a total failure of the electric system in my 2019 A6. Car stopped running in the middle of the road. Had to use the tool in the trunk to manually switch the car to neutral so I could push it off the road. Car was towed to the Audi dealer in my area. Audi dealer reported the alternator is faulty.
Electrical System Nov 18, 2022 NHTSA owner report
Multiple warnings indicating to contact dealer (Lane departure, adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance, etc) then 1 minute later transmission failure and engine failure imminent.... pull over immediately and contact dealer.
Electrical System Nov 18, 2022 NHTSA owner report
While driving I received two messages to contract service first that the “electrical system malfunction” and then a “starting malfunction” which was fallowed by a battery light and a check engine light. I contacted my local dealer they advised I have it towed in immediately.
Electrical System Dec 7, 2023 NHTSA owner report
Dashboard error messages, "Electrical System Malfunction! Please contact service" and "Vehicle Starting System: Malfunction! Please contact service". Dealer replied that it is a starter generator. Unsafe to drive, towed to dealer service. Part has been on order for more than three weeks
Electrical System Oct 8, 2023 NHTSA owner report
While operating the vehicle under normal driving conditions, the vehicle suffered an immediate, un-commanded loss of engine power and throttle response. The vehicle displayed a critical dashboard restriction stating: “Maximum engine speed 2500 RPM”, forcing an emergency limp-home mode that instantly created a roadway collision hazard.
Electrical System Sep 21, 2026 NHTSA owner report

What is on file about the electrical system, across the years

Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications

Recall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year

7 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year

Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.

From here
Every 2027 model on file, by price Compare two vehicles, trim vs trim See what a VIN was priced at See what owners reported

Common questions

Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communications

Which Audi A6 years have the most electrical complaints?

2019, 84; 2020, 23; 2021, 15. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2019 (74%).

Is there a recall for the electrical system on the Audi A6?

Yes — 6 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 25V201000 (2021), 22V861000 (2022), 22V155000 (2022), 20V749000 (2021). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

When do electrical problems show up on the Audi A6?

Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 35,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 14,000 and 42,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.

What does NHTSA's "Electrical System" heading cover?

Wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.