2020 Audi A6 ALLROAD: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
8 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
9,027 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 8 complaints (75.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 75.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 25.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 12.5% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 12.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Lane Departure: Assist | 1 |
| Structure:Body | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Electrical System: 6; Power Train: 2; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Lane Departure: Assist: 1; Structure:Body: 1; Suspension: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2022: 1; 2023: 6; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11449959 · 2022-02-02 (February 2, 2022)
The contact's wife owns a 2020 Audi A6. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V295000 (suspension), however after a few months the contact had an issue with the vehicle's rear tires. The vehicle was taken to a tire center where they were unable to replace the rear tires due to severe damage to the undercarriage and rear axle on the vehicle. The local dealer who performed the recall repair was called but told over the phone that the dealer does not have any record in their system showing they performed that recall repair on the…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,027 miles reported. Look up ODI 11449959 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11503455 · 2023-01-24 (January 24, 2023)
My electrical system failed and the car died on the freeway. This is now recognized as a chronic problem- a software bug in the 48 volt mild hybrid system- with several Audi models, including this A6 Allroad. The bug apparently damages the vehicles alternator, which must then be replaced. There is a several month backorder on this part, so hundreds if not thousands Audis remain unrepaired on the lots. They are dying on roads across the USA on a daily basis.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11503455 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11508031 · 2023-02-19 (February 19, 2023)
While driving on the interstate, I received a warning about an electrical system malfunction. As I neared my home, I received warnings about transmission failure, suspension malfunction, steering malfunction, sensor failure, and more. After a tow to the dealership I was told it is a generator/alternator (?) failure and the part is on national backorder and may be 3 months or more.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11508031 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11511811 · 2023-03-14 (March 14, 2023)
Lamp: Electrical system malfunction: safely stop vehicle. I have read that they car would have next shut down and loss of control while driving.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11511811 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11526617 · 2023-06-12 (June 12, 2023)
I have a 2020 All Road. Received message driving close to my home to contact service due to electrical malfunction and made it to my driveway. This was on a Sunday and no service center was available. Car lost its HVAC and auto stop mechanism on the way home and parked it in the driveway away to be towed. This morning able to start vehicle but received numerous warnings as above to also include low battery due to no charging and finally a message (while placing it on a flat bed tow truck) to stop immediately and not drive the vehicle. I have re…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11526617 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11548864 · 2023-10-08 (October 8, 2023)
Dashboard error messages, "Electrical System Malfunction! Please contact service" and "Vehicle Starting System: Malfunction! Please contact service". Dealer replied that it is a starter generator. Unsafe to drive, towed to dealer service. Part has been on order for more than three weeks.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11548864 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11559037 · 2023-12-07 (December 7, 2023)
While driving I received two messages to contract service first that the “electrical system malfunction” and then a “starting malfunction” which was fallowed by a battery light and a check engine light. I contacted my local dealer they advised I have it towed in immediately. The car was towed in and it’s a “starter generator” and is back ordered with no eta. The car is not drivable and is at the dealer for an unknown amount of time.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11559037 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11563718 · 2024-01-05 (January 5, 2024)
This vehicle has an automatic opening/closure feature for the rear trunk/hatchback door. It's activated by putting one's foot under a sensor under the rear fender. This is fine for opening the door but it also closes the hatchback door with considerable force. The feature can be activated inadvertently e.g. when loading the car (and one's foot is under the rear fender) or when sitting on the edge of the luggage area and changing shoes. Both type of events have happened to me. I'm an bald and have had the door close on my head (which broke my…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11563718 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V159000 · Air Bags
Reported: 2021-03-10 (March 10, 2021)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi RS6 Avant, RS7, 2020-2021 A6 Allroad, S6 Sedan, S7, 2019-2021 A6 Sedan, and A7 vehicles. The score line on the passenger air bag may not have been manufactured correctly.
Consequence: An incorrectly manufactured air bag may not deploy properly, and could also eject plastic debris into the passenger compartment, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the passenger air bag score line, and repair it as necessary, free of charge. The recall begin March 26, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 70i2.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V034000 · Tires | Suspension:Rear:Axle:Non-Powered Axle Assembly
Reported: 2022-01-26 (January 26, 2022)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
Consequence: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V861000 · Electrical System
Reported: 2022-11-21 (November 21, 2022)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Audi S7, S6 Sedan, A6 Allroad, 2021-2022 RS7, RS6 Avant, 2019-2022 A7, and A6 Sedan vehicles. Liquid spilled in the rear seat may penetrate and cause the gateway control module to shut down.
Consequence: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90V2.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V900000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Reported: 2025-12-19 (December 19, 2025)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.
NHTSA campaign record ↗