2019 Audi A6 Electrical System
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
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Incident Summary for NHTSA Complaint Component Involved: Electrical System: Alternator / Charging System Vehicle State: In motion (City street/Highway) Speed at Failure: Approximately [Insert Speed] MPH Narrative Description: The vehicle suffered a catastrophic electrical failure while in motion, resulting in an immediate and total engine stall in live traffic. This failure occurred without sufficient warning to safely maneuver the vehicle to the shoulder, creating an immediate safety hazard and risk of collision. This is a recurring safety defect: Repeat Failure: This is the second time this specific VIN has suffered a mid-traffic alternator failure. An Audi-certified replacement was installed by an authorized dealer (Audi Arlington) in 2022 following an identical incident. That replacement part has now failed. Failure of "Service Action" (27BQ): Despite an active Service Action for this component, the vehicle was not repaired during multiple prior service visits at authorized dealerships. The manufacturer failed to proactively address the defect, leading to this second roadside emergency. Cascading Electrical Instability: This VIN has a documented history of systemic electrical and safety system failures, including a gasket failure that compromised safety electronics and a total fuel system replacement due to sensor failure. The manufacturer (Audi) has classified this sudden loss of power in traffic as "non-critical," despite the clear risk of high-speed collision and physical injury. I am requesting a formal investigation into the recurring failure of the 27BQ component and the adequacy of the manufacturer's current service remedy.
Audi is aware of the starter-alternator issue which is documented in Audi's Emissions Service Action Code: 27BQ dated 4/30/24. Audi didn't communicate this to the effective users until October 2024. I personally experienced the defect in my starter-alternator on 10/21/24 and proceeded to have my car repaired.
The car gave me a written error message on the dashboard that there was an electrical system malfunction. I thought to myself, "Gotta get that checked out. Let's see if it goes away." I drove a short distance home and parked. The next day I began to drive to work. I got the electrical system malfunction message again. I decided to pull into a parking lot and make an appointment to get it fixed by the dealer. Then, I began to drive back home (didn't want to risk driving to work). The car then gave me a new message that the electrical system was not working and to pull over safely. I drove for 30 or so more seconds as all the systems began to shut down. The car completely stopped within a minute or 2 of the error message, stranding me in the middle of the road. It was impossible to shift it into neutral to safely move it. If I had been driving on the highway, it would have been REALLY bad! There was almost no time to get the car to a safe spot and no chance to put it into neutral to move it. The car has since been diagnosed with a faulty generator that needs to be replaced.
A yellow warning light went on stating"electrical system malfunction" start/stop is not working. Within 5 miles a red warning light went on that stated pull over when safe then within 100 yds multiple warnings went off and i lost power steering, power brakes etc. I was able to get stopped but the car would not start nor was I able to even put it in neutral to have it towed. I researched the issue and it seems to be a well known issue with the alternator. There has been several state lawsuits in regards to the issue. But no recalls or information sent to owners.
I had a failure with the vehicle electrical system malfunction. I had multiple warnings from ABS, Power steering, Adaptive cruise control. I was on the highway doing about 70 when this happened. After about 5 mins of driving, everything powered down in the vehicle. From the dashboard to the center instrument panel. Then after that, the car cut off. Lucky I was in the right lane to pull over to the shoulder. Car never started back up. Nervous about what the dealership is going to tell me.
The contact owns a 2019 Audi A6. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the warning message "electrical malfunction" suddenly displayed along with a red battery icon. After turning off and restarting the vehicle, the message remained displayed, but the battery icon changed to yellow. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the starter generator was faulty and needed to be replaced; however, the part was on backorder and would not be available for several months. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 42,000. The contact stated that the replacement part is now available but they have to wait for the installation. Audi has been notified and is aware of the issues.
First sign of the vehicle is shaking and making noise while driving over 65mph. A few days later, the tire pressure warning was on. The next day, electric system malfunction light was on, advising me to contact service center. At the same day, steering function light was on and it was stiff to drive the vehicle. A few miles down the road, engine shuts off, and was unable to restart.
Red start/stop malfunction light, then Electical System yellow light malfunction, then Red light Electical System safely stop vehicle all with 2-3 min while driving in normal city conditions
Car started by saying auto start /stop function malfunction, than Electrical Malfunction. after reading an Audi forum on Audi World there is thousand of customers complaining of the same issue. apparently its a known issue with their 48v mild hybrid system and their alternator. multiple dealerships blaming a faulty alternator. this issue has left people stranded and myself the vehicle A/C system stopped working and now parked at home until I can take to dealership. this issue is not a small one or impacting a small amount of consumers and more investigating should be done by your agency to be a Recall on this. Thx
Message for "electrical system malfunction", then "start stop system malfunction", then "electrical system malfunction stop vehicle safely". Car was immobilized. Was driving on highway.
I suffered a complete failure of the vehicle's electrical system. First, I received a warning that the electrical system malfunctioned. This warning went away after two power cycles. Two days later the warning came back and a warning that the battery level was low. I was driving the vehicle approximately 1 mile on the highway when the warning became progressively dire. First the Adaptive cruise control systems became failing one by one, adaptive lane keep, lane departure etc. Then I got yellow warnings about failures in the transmission and the engine. Finally those errors became dire that I must stop the vehicle. I next lost all electrical screens within 2-3 minutes of the cascading dire warnings just as I was pulling off the highway onto side streets. Within 30 seconds I lost power steering and most braking force. I was able to pull over into a bus stop, but with difficulty. I lost all hazard lights, all vehicle lights. I lost the ability to unlock the doors temporarily but this recovered. I could not turn the car back on, I could just hear the started struggling to turn over. None of the screens in the vehicle worked. No lights or horn worked. Thankfully this happened in the late afternoon while the sun was still out. The extreme danger posed by not having emergency lights, power steering and minimal braking capability made this an extremely scary situation. I was advised by Audi Queens that this was confirmed alternator/generator failure.
I get a message on the dashboard while driving that the electrical system failed. There is a message later that says the "Start/Stop system: malfunction! Function unavailable. Please contact Service"
Starter/Generator failure. Message: "Electrical system malfunction" Car became disabled intermittently. Brought to dealer despite no service appointment available for more than a week. Dealer advised me that 7 other A6 models were in with same issue.
Was driving and car gave me an Electrical System Malfunction, shortly after all lights (abs, esc, power steering, brakes) came on and vehicle died right after. I was traveling at 25-30mph and was unable to control my vehicle. I had to have the vehicle towed to a shop because it would not start after. After some research, it seems to be a problem with the 48V mild Hybrid system. Thousands of known cases this should be a recall! Extremely unsafe.
Known generator problem. The entire car shut down when I was on the express way at 5:30 PM rush hour in Chicago. Luckily I was able to get over to a shoulder before the car went completely DEAD . Even the emergency flasher would not work, miracle that we didn't get killed. Can't believe Audi let people drive these cars when many have had this problem
The contact owns a 2019 Audi A6. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 22V155000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced the failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Electrical System Malfunction w/yellow battery icon...stop/start system unavailable. Vehicle deemed unsafe to drive. Towed to dealership, part on worldwide B/O...estimate several month wait for starter/alternator
Battery light came on, called the dealer and they said don't drive and towed the car to dealer. They said need to replace Starter Generator C29. They did't have parts, so they keep my car at Audi dealer service shop for about one and hale month. I googled and look like it happened to too many people. Finally they said found the parts and charge me $2902.12. I am really concerned that part is not properly constructed or something, as even in this dealership, they said my car was sixth in one month and may more after me. They are skimming money from bad part.
Vehicle emitted multiple warnings via dashboard displays. Called dealer's service department and they advised to bring vehicle to dealership as soon as possible. They suspected the car was experiencing pending failure of the generator or alternator, which could result in an immediate loss of all electronics, posing a serious risk while driving. I attempted to drive car the 10-15 miles to the dealership the next morning and all systems failed. Dealer confirmed issue was related to the suspected generator or alternator issue.
The contact owns a 2019 Audi A6. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V155000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the issue; however, no assistance was provided. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
It appears that the 48v hybrid alternator failed. The vehicle completely shut down/lost all power while driving 50 mph on busy road. Almost rear ended while trying to coast to a stop. Low battery light came on the day before. The day it failed I was driving it to the dealership.
Vehicle's on board system reads "Electrical Malfunction: START/STOP system malfunction. Call service". THEN this triggers a complete shutdown of the vehicle: transmission, steering, distance, and braking sensors, etc all got affected.
While I was driving, the vehicle gave an electrical system malfunction warning. When I stopped and restarted the vehicle, the car reluctantly started with delays and a check engine light. I had to tow the car to the dealership. Upon inspection, they determined it is a generator issue, much like many other owners of 2019+ model year of Audi's. They do not have an ETA on the replacement part, and thus the car will be out of commission for weeks to months. I am lucky, as many other people who have experienced this problem have had their car completely die on them in the middle of driving. This is a potentially dangerous safety hazard, and an enormous inconvenience, as any Audi owner with this generator issue will not have their car for weeks to months.
The starter/generator (formerly known as alternator) of our A6 3.0 needs to be replaced, the part is back-ordered for approximately 60 to 90 days. The yellow indicator light goes on and then the car shuts off. It happens without warning and is incredibly dangerous.
Was driving down the road and received a yellow “electrical system malfunction” alert. Shortly after an alert that said my start-stop function was no longer available. After about 20 minutes I received a red electrical system malfunction: stop vehicle safely. Thankfully I was pulling onto my street when the last alert popped up.
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Quick Summary
The 2019 Audi A6 has 41 Electrical System complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.