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.
Audi A6 won't start problems
30 of the 1,663 owner complaints about the Audi A6 describe won't start, most of them for the 2005 model year.
- owner complaints
- 30
- worst model year
- 2005
- typical repair cost reported
- $3,000
- typical mileage
- 105,000
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20193
- 20171
- 20161
- 20151
- 20123
- 20091
- 20072
- 20064
- 20055
- 20041
- 20031
- 20021
- 20012
- 20001
- 19991
- 19981
- 19961
Often reported together
Steering lock-up 3Won't shift 2Power steering loss 2Fire or smoke 2Engine failure 2Check engine light 2ABS 2Wipers 1
What owners say
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.
The electrical system malfunctioned driving on the busy 422 expressway. Going at 55mph. Car dash lights up warning signs like electrical system failure, transmission, brake, power steering failure and the car shuts down in the middle of the road. Steered it to the side of road. Car would not start. Had to get it towed to dealer, Car has 33000 miles. The dealer has confirmed the failure. The component has been inspected by the dealer. Could have had a serious life threatening accident posing death or injuries to self and others.
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.
The car will randomly die without notice and then will not start. There's an EC fault but no other identifiers and the car won't start for quite some time. After sitting for a couple hours or more it will finally start. It happens at a minimum of 1-2 times per month.
I was at a stop light and automatic engine shut-off turned the vehicle off. However, when the light turned green car would not start. I had to put it in park and then turn the vehicle on/off to restart the vehicle.
Old Battery replaced by Audi dealer with new battery since car would not start. Second Audi dealer checked battery and connections since car would not start. Car started at dealer; however car doesn’t start now about a week after picked up at dealer. This is a major safety issue and driver & passengers are at risk creating a safety hazard of the car not being Able to start. Southern Calif AAA was called to jump start car battery multiple times in last several months. There was no warning on the car either that of a battery issue or that the car was not going to start. The car is available for inspection upon advanced request for an appointment.
When I first got the vehicle it would start with no issues and now it wont start an I cant figure out why and not sure if this is the reason I cant think of what else it could be it acts like its not getting any fuel or something to get started.
Ok purchased the car october 2019, immediately noticed a burning smell, in the car. Took out to audi multiple times ask if there was a leak, before the warranty ran out. They said no, now a year later my check engine light has come on. One diagnostic done at jiffy lube read a code that says it is the computer auxiliary output. Took the car to audi to do a second diagnostic, they said its the thermostat, and coolant pump. My car is not ever heating and the heat and air work fine. How is it now that the car is not under warranty they notice the leak in the coolant pump, when I complained about the smell of burning water when I first purchased the car. There are no indications of a leak on my driveway. The dealership has quoted me 1683.00 though there is a recall on the same parts. A year ago when I purchased the car there were faulty issues with the computer. Audi did replace this under warranty, but a month ago the computer would not come on several different times. Called the dealership told them it was on and off they said to bring in if it continues. Soon after the check engine light comes on, and now all of a sudden its a leak in the coolant pump allegedly. I repeatedly asked them if the ca had a leak when I first bought it only because the engine was giving off the burnt smell. They waited until the car was out of warranty to agree with me. There is a recall to fix the coolant pumps on the audi but they are wanting to charge me to repair mine. Right now the vehicle shut off on me tonight and the epc light is on. Car will not start, nor would the engine receive the gas when trying to accelerate. Only been driving the vehicle for a year, I should not have major issues with it as of now.
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.
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 won't start
Which Audi A6 years have won't start problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2005 (5 complaints), 2006 (4 complaints) and 2012 (3 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix won't start on the Audi A6?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $3,000 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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