Vehicle suffered sudden and total loss of power steering. Had just driven the car 5-10 minutes prior, came out to leave and had a message stating do not drive vehicle, steering defective. At that point the steering wheel felt locked in place and the vehicle was effectively a brick. This issue just happened yesterday and has…
Read full complaint
Vehicle suffered sudden and total loss of power steering. Had just driven the car 5-10 minutes prior, came out to leave and had a message stating do not drive vehicle, steering defective. At that point the steering wheel felt locked in place and the vehicle was effectively a brick. This issue just happened yesterday and has not been to the dealership yet for diagnosis but I am a former automotive service manager (German specialist) and have connected my car to the VCDS system in order to retrieve the system failure codes. Error code was for the power assist motor. I then did some quick research online and saw dozens of other complaints from owners with the same issue. Thankfully most fail upon start up but I did come across one or two that reported having the issue after turning a corner and suddenly losing all power assist. This is a known issue for Audi and they sent letters to owners around June of 2021 stating that the issue was being covered under a 10 year or 120k mile warranty. That's nice if your vehicle happens to fail while under warranty but now that the time period is it, the burden of repairing this potentially dangerous system defect is on the owner and costs in excess of $4,000 at the dealer. Audi also requires the new unit to be coded to the vehicle via their ODIS system which means owners don't have the option of going to many other sources for a repair. Few shops can afford the monthly fees Audi charges for the ODIS equipment.
NHTSA ODI #11566847
124,000 miles · Apr 9, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY STEERING SYSTEM FAULTED, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING. RACK COMPLETELY FAILED. VERY VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN STEERING WHEEL. CAR ONLY HAS 124K MILES.
NHTSA ODI #11320629
164,000 miles · Dec 13, 2019
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A6. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START THE FOLLOWING DAY AND THE MESSAGE "STEERING MALFUNCTION DO NOT DRIVE" WAS DISPLAYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. AUDI OF CLARKSBURG (1 STONEYBROOK RD, CLARKSBURG, WVA) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A6. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START THE FOLLOWING DAY AND THE MESSAGE "STEERING MALFUNCTION DO NOT DRIVE" WAS DISPLAYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. AUDI OF CLARKSBURG (1 STONEYBROOK RD, CLARKSBURG, WVA) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000.
NHTSA ODI #11288818
Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2018
Fuel/propulsion SystemSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND START THE VEHICLE. THE "STEERING FAULT" MESSAGE APPEARED AND THE EPS WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED. THE FAILURE SEIZED THE STEERING WHEEL; THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUDI MEADOWLANDS (425 ROUTE 3 EAST, SECAUCUS, NJ 07094, (201) 9…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND START THE VEHICLE. THE "STEERING FAULT" MESSAGE APPEARED AND THE EPS WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED. THE FAILURE SEIZED THE STEERING WHEEL; THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUDI MEADOWLANDS (425 ROUTE 3 EAST, SECAUCUS, NJ 07094, (201) 982-7056). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V781000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED 53 TSBS FOR THE STEERING, BUT NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO ADDRESS THE FAILURE AND THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11079792
Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2017
Steering
2012 AUDI A6 MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY WOULD NOT START. THE IGNITION DID NOT TURN ON. IT SAID "DO NOT DRIVE - STEERING DEFECTIVE" STEERING COULD NOT BE TURNED, GEARS COULD NOT BE SHIFTED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED USING DOLLY TOW TRUCK SINCE ALL THE WHEELS WERE LOCKED. THE DEALER SAID IT HAD A FAULTY STEERING CONTROL MODULE A…
Read full complaint
2012 AUDI A6 MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY WOULD NOT START. THE IGNITION DID NOT TURN ON. IT SAID "DO NOT DRIVE - STEERING DEFECTIVE" STEERING COULD NOT BE TURNED, GEARS COULD NOT BE SHIFTED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED USING DOLLY TOW TRUCK SINCE ALL THE WHEELS WERE LOCKED. THE DEALER SAID IT HAD A FAULTY STEERING CONTROL MODULE AND GAVE ME A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR BILL. THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED ISSUE AND IF THE STEERING LOCKS LIKE THIS ON THE HIGHWAY, THIS COULD LEAD TO SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. ON THE INTERNET I FOUND MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVING SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. SOME EXAMPLES BELOW: HTTPS://WWW.AUDIWORLD.COM/FORUMS/A6-S6-C6-PLATFORM-DISCUSSION-58/TRANSPONDER-STEERING-COLUMN-2834070/ HTTP://DOYLESTOWNAUTOSHOP.COM/A6-AUDI-STEERING-COLUMN-LOCK-PROBLEMS/ I KINDLY REQUEST NHTSA TO REVIEW THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND REQUEST AUDI TO FIX THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ASAP. THANKS.
NHTSA ODI #11053965
7,000 miles · Mar 28, 2013
Steering
STEERING IS NOTCHY AND UNSTABLE ON-CENTER AND SLIGHTLY OFF-CENTER. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THE CAR STRAIGHT WHILE ACCELERATING, BRAKING OR AT CONSTANT SPEED. MUST CONSTANTLY CORRECT LEFT AND RIGHT MAKING THE CAR SWERVE UNCONTROLLABLY LEFT AND RIGHT. IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP STRAIGHT. IT IS HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE. TOOK CARE TO DEALERSHIP.…
Read full complaint
STEERING IS NOTCHY AND UNSTABLE ON-CENTER AND SLIGHTLY OFF-CENTER. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THE CAR STRAIGHT WHILE ACCELERATING, BRAKING OR AT CONSTANT SPEED. MUST CONSTANTLY CORRECT LEFT AND RIGHT MAKING THE CAR SWERVE UNCONTROLLABLY LEFT AND RIGHT. IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP STRAIGHT. IT IS HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE. TOOK CARE TO DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE STEERING RACK BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I BELIEVE AUDI IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT HASN'T PROVIDED A SOLUTION. *TR
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Audi S6 and S7, 2012-2018 A7 and A6 Sedan, and 2014-2018 RS7 vehicles equipped with basic seats (with or without heating). Stress or wear of the body-sensing mat within the front passenger seat may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) control module to malfunction.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the PODS module malfunctions, the front passenger air bag may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a PODS system repair kit, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D5.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Audi A6 and A7 vehicles. The fuel line has a compression point that can weaken, potentially resulting in a fuel leak.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line, free of charge. The recall began February 5, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-888-237-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AR.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system, resulting in the pump overheating.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19M1.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Audi A6 and Audi A7 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a fuel hose in the engine compartment that may degrade and leak fuel.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the under hood fuel pump and fuel hose, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BZ.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Audi A6 vehicles manufactured March 28, 2011, to March 25, 2013, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles manufactured January 25, 2011, to March 19, 2013. In vehicles with heated and cooled seats, the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS), used to enable the front passenger air bags, may malfunction and prevent the passenger-side air bags from deploying in a crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of occupant injury in a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and Audi dealers will install a PODS system repair kit, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D1.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Audi S4, S5, Q7, 2012 Audi A6, Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles. In the affected vehicles the fuel injection system may experience a fuel leak.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails and corresponding seals, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 24AP for Audi customers and 24BK for Volkswagen customers.
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL 2012 AUDI A6 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 8, 2011, THROUGH MAY 26, 2011. DUE TO A PROBLEM IN THE STITCHING PROCESS OF THE CURTAIN AIR BAG, THE SEAM OF THE AIR BAG MAY NOT BE STITCHED PROPERLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE HEAD CURTAIN AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF AN INJURY.
Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY ALL OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND/OR RIGHT CURTAIN AIR BAG FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2012 Audi A6 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration