Incident Summary for the federal safety agency 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 A6 stalling problems
47 of the 1,663 owner complaints about the Audi A6 describe engine stalls while driving, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 47
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical mileage
- 49,000
By model year
Often reported together
Check engine light 6Loss of power 5Fuel pump 5Jerking 3Fuel gauge 3Engine failure 3Hesitation 2Headlights 2
Trouble codes mentioned
P2067 1
What owners say
This vehicle had a claim for water pump replacement and the 3.0 model has a recall for the turbo charger. This vehicle is experiencing the same issues and went from 70 mph to 0 and stalled on the freeway. Thankfully the semi and other vehicles were able to avoid me or my family would be reaching out instead of me. Currently the vehicle is parked in my garage because it is unsafe to drive. Can you please advise Audi to take responsibility and offer the same recalls on the 2.0 vehicles for the water pump and turbo charger because they have the same internal parts as the 3.0 vehicles that failed and these parts were covered.
The contact owns a 2014 Audi A6. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle stalled. The Electronic Power Control System and the Check Engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a fuel leak and that the fuel injector, the coolant hose, and the water pump needed to be replaced. The contact researched and was made aware of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V781000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 181,615.
The contact owns a 2016 Audi A6. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle suddenly experienced a loss of motive power and stalled. During the failure, the message Electric Power Control "EPC" was displayed. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the electric wiring harness located in the engine compartment had failed due to moisture intrusion and the harness along with an internal computer needed to be replaced. No further information was available. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 49,000.
The car gave me electrical malfunction warning while driving on the highway, then all the screens turned black, and the car completely shut down while driving. The steering was still working, although heavier than usual, and the breaking also worked. The car slow down to a complete stop at the shoulder of the highway. This was very concerning, and thankfully happened close on exit with a shoulder at the side in which I was able to park the car.
P2067 engine check code which shows faulty fuel sensor. Audi has recalled other year Audi a6 sedan vehicles with the same issue and this seems to be a safety issue as it can show incorrect fuel gauge and in the event of car out of fuel, engine can stall and can cause accident.
Car shut down while driving due to the electrical system malfunction; had to get the car towed; ended up being a known issue by Audi with no recall related to the alternator; replaced with new alternator
The contact owns a 2021 Audi A6. The contact stated while his father was driving 45 MPH, the electrical system Malfunction warning light illuminated. The contact stated that several electronic components started to turn off until the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the starter generator to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the parts being on backorder. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Audi A6. The contact stated that while refueling, the gas nozzle would frequently stop, causing gasoline to leak from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was discovered that the fuel tank sensor needed to be moved to another location on the vehicle. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair; however, the contact declined to seek a second opinion. The contact was assured by the dealer that the vehicle was safe to be driven. A few days after leaving the dealer, the vehicle stalled while driving at a slow speed, with the check engine warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed back to the dealer who discovered that fuel had filled up in the evaporation canister sensor which caused the fuel tank and the fuel pump to become defective. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but informed him that his vehicle was not under recall or warranty. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.
On November 8, 2022, I was driving my vehicle to the Audi Arlington dealership to service an "Electrical System Malfunction" alert that had recently appeared. Approximately one mile into my drive the car completely shut down while driving. This happened while I was proceeding through an urban intersection. All systems shut down on the car simultaneously, including every screen, hazard lights, engine and power steering, to name a few. I was able to coast to a stop while only partially exit the lane of traffic. As the car was entirely nonresponsive, it needed to be towed from that point to Audi Arlington. Audi Arlington determined that the issue resulted from a 48V generator.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine: engine control module (ecu/ECM)
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022 Audi A6 Sedan, A4 Sedan, Q5, and Q5 Sportback vehicles. The semiconductor inside the engine control unit may short-circuit and cause an engine stall.
- Risk
- An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the engine control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Audi's number for this recall is 24iH.
Recall number 22V368000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 18V229000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 17V002000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the engine backfires during a cold-start, an air screen which is loosely seated in the air flow meter can become damaged.
- Risk
- Screen pieces could enter the intake air flow system and prevent the throttle plate from returning to its full idle position.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a retaining ring to hold the air screen in place.
Recall number 98V134000 · Recall details
Questions about the Audi A6 stalling
Which Audi A6 years have engine stalls while driving problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (6 complaints), 2019 (6 complaints) and 1999 (5 complaints).
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