Audi A6 engine failure problems

Filed Jul 22, 2026 · Engine · NY

On XXX my 2014 Audi A6 failed to accelerate on a parkway. An EPC light appeared. I restarted. It reappeared and car was slow and shaky. I took right to nearest Audi dealership. The next day, they sent this video, admitting a common problem, and suggesting full engine replacement. [XXX] I have contacted Audi of America, Audi of Huntington and Audi of Manhattan. All refusing to help with our faulty engine. Further investigation shows so many cases on Audizone, North Anerican Audi Owners groups. Why was this not a recall? Could have been very dangerous highway accident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 8, 2026 · Engine · NJ

My 2019 Audi A6 was diagnosed with catastrophic internal engine failure on May 9, 2026 at Audi of Newton, Newton, NJ, at 93,645 miles. The vehicle required a full engine rebuild performed by REV Auto NJ at a cost of $12,000. The failure involved metal debris found in the engine oil, consistent with the documented EA839 3.0L V6 TFSI rocker arm needle bearing failure or piston skirt failure affecting this engine family. The EA839 engine used in this vehicle has a documented history of design defects: (1) Rocker arm needle bearings in early production engines were undersized and prone to disintegration, releasing metal debris into the oil supply and destroying camshaft lobes, balance shafts, and pistons. Audi silently revised the rocker arm part number three times (06M109417H -> 06M109417L -> 0P2109417), with the final revision featuring bearings twice the size of the originals - evidence of a known design defect. No recall was issued. (2) Audi of America issued a Piston Skirt Limited Warranty Extension in 2025 to 8 years/80,000 miles for EA839 piston failures. Independent engineering analysis by 034Motorsport, backed by laboratory testing, confirms that the EA839 piston design creates failure paths even under stock, unmodified conditions. Audi of America has not issued a safety recall for this engine failure pattern despite multiple documented failures across the A6, A7, A8, S4, S5, SQ5, Q7, and Q8 platforms sharing this engine. The failure mode - metal debris circulating through the lubrication system - poses a risk of sudden, complete engine loss while driving at highway speeds, creating an unreasonable safety risk to vehicle occupants and other motorists. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate the EA839 3.0T engine for a potential safety-related defect and consider whether a recall is warranted across the affected model population. I have incurred $12,000 in repair costs for a defect that evidence strongly suggests is a design flaw, not a maintenance issue.

Filed May 11, 2026 · Engine · 80,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2021 Audi A6. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle overheated. The engine overheating and the low coolant warning light illuminated. In addition, the engine seized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a coolant leak and a failed coolant pump vacuum. The contact was informed that the coolant pump vacuum assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact was informed that the failure was a known failure of the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline and report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Filed Sep 10, 2025 · Engine · MA

The water pump on my 2016 Audi A6 has failed multiple times prematurely. The first water pump failed at 36,965 miles in May 2019. That repair was covered under an extended warranty I purchased. The second water pump failed around 83,000 miles in September 2025, and Audi is now quoting me $2,350 out of pocket to replace it. I am now facing a third water pump replacement, which is far earlier than expected for this type of component. These repeated failures create a significant safety concern, as sudden coolant loss can cause the engine to overheat, potentially leading to engine failure or loss of power while driving. Each problem has been diagnosed and confirmed by an authorized Audi service center. The vehicle was inspected by Audi technicians, and repairs were recommended both times. The repeated failure of this critical component strongly suggests a systemic defect with the water pump design on this model. Despite a recent Audi water pump settlement, my vehicle was excluded, even though it has now experienced two failures and is requiring a third replacement.

Filed May 26, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · NJ

Starter warning followed by electrical system malfunction, these were followed by Multiple warning lights (Lane departure, adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance, etc) then 1 minute later transmission failure and engine failure imminent.... pull over immediately and contact dealer. I turned into a road off main highway within a minute of the last two warnings and as I turned, my center MMI went blank then my electronic dash went blank, transmission went into neutral and the engine died all within a few seconds. Fortunately I was able to coast to a stop.

Filed Jan 17, 2023 · Electrical · KY

Multiple warnings indicating to contact dealer (Lane departure, adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance, electrical system, start/stop, etc) then 1 minute later transmission failure and engine failure imminent. After a minute or two my center MMI went blank then my electronic dash went blank, transmission went into neutral and the engine died all within a few seconds. Fortunately I was able to coast to a stop in the center median of an expressway and contacted the dealer. Flatbed towed to dealer who stated most likely the generator between the lithium battery bank and gas engine failed. They have seen several in this year for A6 and A7's with mild hybrid engines. I was lucky to be in low volume traffic as there was no power to indicate to drivers around me that my engine quit and not even turn signals worked. After having car towed to Audi dealer, they proceeded to tell me it was the starter/generator and the part was on back order for two to three months.

Filed Jan 13, 2023 · CT

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. I turned into a road off main highway within a minute of the last two warnings and as I turned, my center MMI went blank then my electronic dash went blank, transmission went into neutral and the engine died all within a few seconds. Fortunately I was able to coast to a stop in the parking lot.

Filed Nov 18, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · WA

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. I turned into a road off main highway within a minute of the last two warnings and as I turned, my center MMI went blank then my electronic dash went blank, transmission went into neutral and the engine died all within a few seconds. Fortunately I was able to coast to a stop in the parking lot. Flatbed towed to dealer who stated most likely the generator between the lithium battery bank and gas engine failed. They have seen several in this year for A6 and A7's with mild hybrid engines. I'm lucky to be in low volume traffic as there was no power to indicate to drivers around me that my engine quit and not even turn signals worked.

Filed Apr 4, 2022 · Engine · NJ

Greeting, I drove my car for a minor body repair and paint job at Midland Park Auto Body located at 158 Godwin Ave, Midland Park, NJ 07432 on March 22 2022. There were no signs on the dashboard for any services or repair when I dropped of the car. Warren the owner called me to let me know that the paint job was completed by had some bad news for me. The car would not start. He thought it was the starter that had malfunctioned. We decided to have the car inspected by Jack Daniels Audi of Paramus Service Center located at 16-01 McBride Ave, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410. I have had this car serviced there since I bought the car from them. James a senior technician called Warren and told him that the engine was shot. He was surprised and shocked that the engine ceased working. The was enough oil in the engine, car had been serviced regularly with them. They told me it would cost about $25,000 to replace the engine. They also told me that they would ask Audi Corporate to see if they can assist me with. It has been about 4 days , there has been no response from Audi. I started to search on the internet to see if other consumer had experienced this problem. I found several. Did Audi know if their engines were malfunctioning ? What would happen if this car stopped when I was driving on a highway? This is very serious . Hope to hear from your team soon.

Filed Jan 18, 2019 · Engine · 60,000 miles · MD

In late december 2017 out of nowhere, my car began to display the warning, 'turn off engine and check coolant level' (photo attached) ; this was very alarming as I take very good care of my car and have had all of the required maintenance done at the dealership. I immediately called and had an appointment scheduled at the dealer. Just a few days later on january 5, 2018 I took my car in for service and was told that the water/coolant pump needed to be replaced (attached). Unfortunately, I felt that the cost was too much at the dealer and I took my car to a reputable mechanic in the area who replaced the water/coolant pump. To my surprise in september 2018, audi announced a recall for the water/coolant pump. To my understanding, this means that they are liable for any damaged pump. With that being said, I would assume that any issues related to the pump should also be covered under that recall. As noted on my service memo from the audi dealership when I had my car inspected for the warning 'if not replaced, the engine's cooling system will not be operating efficiently and at the proper temperature resulting in catastrophic engine damage.' in february 2018, a little over a month after having my car's water/coolant pump repaired, the car started to idle when I tried to pull out of my drive way. Not even a block away and the check engine light flashed on and off and the car cut off while driving and stopped in the middle of the street. I was so scared, but relieved that I was not hit by another car. I waited a few minutes and was able to get it back to my home where I immediately had it towed to my mechanic who told me I needed to replace the engine. I didn't have him do the repairs, but I then had it towed to the audi dealer who told me the same thing, to replace the engine.