Both daytime running lights have progressively changed from white to yellow and lost intensity. The discoloration began on one side and later appeared on the other, concentrated at the lower angled section of the daytime running light. There are no warning lamps, messages, or stored fault codes. Independent automotive lighting specialists who service this model describe the cause as heat from the daytime running light LED degrading the end of the clear light-guide tube inside the sealed headlamp assembly. The manufacturer does not sell that LED board or light guide separately, so the only available repair is replacement of the entire headlamp assembly. A manufacturer technical service bulletin covering this model and model year treats daytime running light color variation as a normal characteristic and states that no repair is to be performed, and no recall or warranty extension has been issued for this condition. The headlamps are available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: the daytime running lights are losing output and conspicuity gradually rather than failing outright, so the driver receives no warning and other road users see a vehicle with degraded daytime visibility.
Audi A6 headlights problems
54 of the 1,663 owner complaints about the Audi A6 describe headlights failing or too dim, most of them for the 1996 model year.
- owner complaints
- 54
- worst model year
- 1996
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,000
- typical mileage
- 99,000
By model year
Often reported together
Wipers 9Fire or smoke 4Stalling 2Lane assist 2ABS 2Overheating 1Collision warning 1Check engine light 1
Trouble codes mentioned
P1423 1P1411 1
What owners say
On 04/16/2026 at 10:19 my car became unsafe to drive and I had multiple safety errors including: Active front assist unavailable Adaptive cruise assist unavailable Emergency assist unavailable Traffic sign recognition unavailable Adaptive light malfunction High beam assistant malfunction
I own a new 2026 Audi A6 Prestige that I just purchased and have 320 miles on so far. The vehicle is experiencing a driver assistance system malfunction. The instrument cluster repeatedly displays “Driver assistance: limited,” along with warnings that Lane Assist and High Beam Assist are unavailable. The warning messages and audible chimes occur repeatedly while driving, approximately every few seconds or minutes. The alerts and beeping repeatedly interrupt driving and create a distraction that takes the driver’s attention away from the road. This is a big safety issue. The vehicle has been taken to an authorized Audi dealership. The dealer confirmed the issue but advised that the fix is a software update that has not yet been released by the manufacturer. Because the update is not yet available, the vehicle continues to operate with driver assistance safety systems disabled and with repeated warning alerts occurring during normal driving. The concern is that the repeated alerts and chimes during driving create a driver distraction and affect safe operation of the vehicle. The manufacturer has indicated a software update may be released in the future, but there is currently no repair available. This is a safety concern as it constantly takes me away from driving and looking at the constant alerts and beeps. These includes items such as: - alerts repeat while driving - driver-assistance safety systems unavailable - warning tones and pop-ups repeatedly distract the driver I do not blame the dealership as they have done everything they can do, but how can Audi not make this a top priority to be fixed. I am told that this is impacting almost all new Audi cars including the A5 and A6s. Thanks for your help. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Side marker light in headlight stopped working
Massive safety liability here. My 2019 Audi A6 was on the highway traveling at 75mph on 4/25/2023 at noon when with no prior warning, all of the electrical systems started failing rapidly. In the course of 90 seconds, there was an electrical malfunction warning, quickly followed by malfunction warnings for steering, brakes, and cascading shutdowns of all systems like the transmission, ABS, Collision Warning, Lane Departure, lights, hazard warning lights, instrument screens/clusters, HVAC, windows- literally everything. A complete failure of every component and safety system while driving highspeed is extremely dangerous. Had this happened at night, I would have been bricked in the middle of the road without headlights, hazard lights, airbags, etc. The car had to be towed away to the dealership and is available for inspection. The dealer is aware of this issue and called it a 48 volt starter/ alternator issue which is apparently systemic/ widespread with 2019-21 Audi 48 volt architectures; parts are generally backordered for months. Please take note: There is an extremely high risk that someone will be killed and seriously injured as a result of this defect. The vehicle is awaiting inspection and repair at an Audi dealership. It is under extended manufacturers warranty at 50,700 miles. No other diagnostics/ inspections/ or reports have taken place yet.
The headlights are shorting out and cracking and bare wires touching
Engine oil leaks this is a "normal" problem that should not be accepted by the consumer and the adaptive headlights cord broke off. Will not turn with vehicle
Headlight flickering and turns off with dipped light warning. Rear lights warnings of bulbs out random times. Shutting lights off and on resolves issue with headlights.
Blinking drivers side headlight. Audi has technical service bulletin and will not repair for free !! Tere reasoning is is that I have over 100 k miles. I reported this to them when I had 62 k miles and they said it never blinked when they tested it (not true) this is a major safety hazard at night and they want to charge me over $1,000 dollars to fix....this should be a recall as it is a safety issue!!!in fact audi corporate is aware and are picking and choosing who gets the repair for free!
Left headlight low dipping error left headlight goes out while drivimg
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Audi A6 headlights
Which Audi A6 years have headlights failing or too dim problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1996 (9 complaints), 1999 (8 complaints) and 2008 (6 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix headlights failing or too dim on the Audi A6?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,000 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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