What the heck happened to my '11 A6?

[texsun]

Wondering if anyone else has experienced this. I bought a lightly used (7000 miles) 2011 A6 a little over a month ago.

When I was pulling into the parking garage at work this morning, a car suddenly backs out of space so I slam on the brakes. Couldn't have been going more than 10mph. Suddenly, a bunch of dashboard warning lights pop up and out of instinct, I restart the car and find a parking space. Once idle, I see a TPMS malfunction as well as the Air Bag light on. I thought I'd let the car sit for a bit so shut it down, went to work and came back a couple of hours later. Start the car and same TPMS/Air Bag lights on, decide to put in gear and drive around the block and suddengly Gearbox failure and brake failure starts flashing. WTF? I was late to a meeting so parked it and came back afterwards and now the car dies everytime I put into drive.

Just had it towed to a local dealer. Pretty sad that it would fail due to a minor braking incident.

Needless to say, I'm super pissed as this is virtually a brand new car.

[williamr91]

So weird I hope everything works out in your favor. Did you buy it at an Audi dealer? It is probably covered under some sort of warranty or something.

[texsun]

Thanks. Yes, I did buy it at an Audi dealer and should be covered warranty. Service advisor said he had never seen something like it. Basically, all warning lights are all on. Should know more tomorrow.

[walky_talky20]

We once had a C6 in the shop that was pretty weird. Came in on a flatbed - wouldn't come out of gear, parking brake would not disengage, steering wheel wouldn't even unlock with the key. They literally slid it off the flatbed and dumped in our (snowy) parking lot. That was fun to plow around!

Anyhow, the car had tons of code set it nearly every module. Shorted circuits, open circuits, all over the place. I printed the codes out of vag-com and it was 6 pages of codes as I recall. Putting the key in the dash did nothing. No lights, nothing. Had to hold the brake pedal (trick to wake up the CAN bus or something), then cleared the codes in the Authentication module. It had a code stored for the steering wheel lock solenoid, so that's why nothing would power up. I hit "Clear Codes" and the car magically lit up, like the car rebooted. Went through the rest of the modules and cleared all the codes and there was nothing wrong with it. Just a complete electrical fluke across all modules. Very weird. Car never came back.

[305Supercharged]

I've had mine for close to 9 months and have never encountered something as crazy as you have described, that is really weird. Hope the dealer is able to fix it (or give you a new one!)

[texsun]

Thanks, guys. I too am hoping it's just a reboot.

And to think I was about to take advantage of the current sale, and schedule an APR flash and maybe even pulley. Good thing if they ultimately need to wipe my ECU!

[305Supercharged]

Yeah I would make sure the car is 100% before going ahead with the upgrades.

[OmaHahn]

I wonder if we can add "Ctrl-Alt-Delete," to our cars so we can reboot ourselves when needed on the spot!

[texsun]

Quick update - my SA called and said they finally hooked my car up found over 40 fault codes but no apparent phyical issues. Sounds a little like what walky_talky20 experienced. So they are in fact hitting "Ctrl-Alt-Delete" and going for an extended drive (hopefully with no "joy") to ensure that everything is proper. They also tried contating Audi tech center or something like that but they were unexepectedly (his words) closed. Maybe Audi is doing Friday furloughs now? Will hopefully get my car back on Monday but I'm fine with them taking their time at this point to make sure everything is ok.

Got a 3.2 S-line as a loaner and definitely miss the 3.0t. Feels sluggish off the line and no added kick once you hit the mid range in the powerband.

[audia6fan]

Never had this happen to me but hope everything is ok.

[JimmyBones]

Quick update - my SA called and said they finally hooked my car up found over 40 fault codes but no apparent phyical issues. Sounds a little like what walky_talky20 experienced. So they are in fact hitting "Ctrl-Alt-Delete" and going for an extended drive (hopefully with no "joy") to ensure that everything is proper. They also tried contating Audi tech center or something like that but they were unexepectedly (his words) closed. Maybe Audi is doing Friday furloughs now? Will hopefully get my car back on Monday but I'm fine with them taking their time at this point to make sure everything is ok.

Got a 3.2 S-line as a loaner and definitely miss the 3.0t. Feels sluggish off the line and no added kick once you hit the mid range in the powerband.

I can tell you from experience that with the new B8, D4, and C7 cars the control modules communicate a lot more. For example, I had an A4 that had the steering angle sensor fail and basically every control module had a fault for it which turned on most of the warning lights on the dash.

Technical assistance was closed on Friday for a workshop and they put a notice about it in the weekly newsletter.

[texsun]

Got another update and Audi recommends replacing the Gateway module just to be safe. It's on order but won't get here until Thursday.

[Ynnekdude]

Got another update and Audi recommends replacing the Gateway module just to be safe. It's on order but won't get here until Thursday.

At least they are making sure the problem is resolved. Hope everything works out for you and that the dealer is treating you well.

[texsun]

Not the type of update I wanted to share but my car just crapped out again. This time in freeway traffic going about 30 mph. Dashlights started flashing - first gearbox warning then TPMS failure, etc... Was fortunate to be near an off ramp so pulled off and found a nearby parking lot. Same issues as before and only two weeks after getting it back.

Tow truck on the way but half my workday is shot. Need to talk have a serious discussion with Audi about this.

[OmaHahn]

Dagnamit man!!! That sucks! Sounds like a matter of bad luck is all. Sounds like something that would happen to me! In no way is this indicative of Audi - I hope you don't feel so. Just one little bug screwing up the entire works in your car! I hope they realize everything has already been tried to resolve the problem and maybe get you into another car or money bacl - I don't know what could happen. Keep us updated. Good luck my friend. Don't know if this helps, but I'm jealous of your car - I really like the '11 with the round fogs, cool-looking rear difuser and I want the bigger A6 for room and that awesome 3.0"S"! Can I have your car?

[texsun]

Dagnamit man!!! That sucks! Sounds like a matter of bad luck is all. Sounds like something that would happen to me! In no way is this indicative of Audi - I hope you don't feel so. Just one little bug screwing up the entire works in your car! I hope they realize everything has already been tried to resolve the problem and maybe get you into another car or money bacl - I don't know what could happen. Keep us updated. Good luck my friend. Don't know if this helps, but I'm jealous of your car - I really like the '11 with the round fogs, cool-looking rear difuser and I want the bigger A6 for room and that awesome 3.0"S"! Can I have your car?

Thanks for the encouragement. I'll trade you my loaner - 2012 A6 with Nav and Audi Drive Select! I put it in dynamic and this things halls a$$ + steering is nice and tight. The interior is a bit of a mess. While the C6 is a bit spartan they went overboard on the C7. The updated MMI is fun to play with though no Google maps without data connection.

[illusive45]

Wow, sounds like something is FUBARed. I just got my car back from the body shop and before I left, the TPMS and left front bulb warning lights came on like a Christmas tree on my dash! The body shop owner said bill him for any costs fixing it, I hope it doesn't come back though. Keep us updated! Sounds like they just need to replace the entire ECU.

[texsun]

No major update yet. A regional Audi Tech supposedly flew down today to look at my car and my service advisor has been calling with clarifying questions. They seem to be doing a process of elimination at this point in terms of which modules in the chain are at fault.

In the meantime, I've read up on my state's Lemon Law as well as experiences here on AZ. Starting to build a case in the event there's no definitive fix. Also spoke with Audi USA and they are now involved in the situation. Will see where this goes.

Kicking myself for not just ponying up for a new B8 S4 as originally planned but that's all hindsight. This is not only my first Audi but first used car. I know I shouldn't draw a global conclusion but this is frustrating.

[Ynnekdude]

No major update yet. A regional Audi Tech supposedly flew down today to look at my car and my service advisor has been calling with clarifying questions. They seem to be doing a process of elimination at this point in terms of which modules in the chain are at fault.

In the meantime, I've read up on my state's Lemon Law as well as experiences here on AZ. Starting to build a case in the event there's no definitive fix. Also spoke with Audi USA and they are now involved in the situation. Will see where this goes.

Kicking myself for not just ponying up for a new B8 S4 as originally planned but that's all hindsight. This is not only my first Audi but first used car. I know I shouldn't draw a global conclusion but this is frustrating.

Sorry to hear about your problems man. The one thing I have learned is that Audi takes care of its customers. Don't fret. Glad they at least gave you a solid loaner to cruise around in.

[texsun]

Well my car is still at the dealer. The Audi tech couldn't figure out what is wrong and the dealer just pressed ctrl-alt-del again and are driving the car to see if it happens again. Not very comforting. I'm at day 25 in the shop. I've owned the car roughly 50 days.

[Midwestuser1]

I would ask them to buy it back if I were you. I had a 2001 A6 4.2 that had repeated issues (too many to list) for a couple of years and I finally went to a Lemon Law attorney after asking the dealer to give me my money back and they said NO. I ended up winning the case after 10 months. They should have no problem buying back your car as it is undriveable for 25 days now. However if my memory serves me right Lemon Law only applys if you are the original car owner from new. Either way press them to buy it back for whatever you paid and just get your new S4!!

[Midwestuser1]

Moderator please delete as this was a duplicate. Thanks.

[texsun]

I would ask them to buy it back if I were you. I had a 2001 A6 4.2 that had repeated issues (too many to list) for a couple of years and I finally went to a Lemon Law attorney after asking the dealer to give me my money back and they said NO. I ended up winning the case after 10 months. They should have no problem buying back your car as it is undriveable for 25 days now. However if my memory serves me right Lemon Law only applys if you are the original car owner from new. Either way press them to buy it back for whatever you paid and just get your new S4!!

Yeah, I've already looked into the lemon law here in California. The recommended threshold is 30 days total in the shop and I'm almost there. I assume I have a pretty good case right now even short of that timeframe. Luckily, it does apply to used cars so long as they are still under warranty. I'm just concerned with how long it may take to settle with Audi.

[transp0rter]

im guessing its a "bad apple " man.... i have been going thru the same thing with my 05 4.2 c6....
my mistake i didn't git rid of it the first time. every single thing that could have gone wrong it did...

so better off find some else.
i feel ur pain.
good luck

[Ynnekdude]

Yeah, I've already looked into the lemon law here in California. The recommended threshold is 30 days total in the shop and I'm almost there. I assume I have a pretty good case right now even short of that timeframe. Luckily, it does apply to used cars so long as they are still under warranty. I'm just concerned with how long it may take to settle with Audi.

If I'm reading you signature correctly, you're getting an S4??

[Midwestuser1]

Yeah, I've already looked into the lemon law here in California. The recommended threshold is 30 days total in the shop and I'm almost there. I assume I have a pretty good case right now even short of that timeframe. Luckily, it does apply to used cars so long as they are still under warranty. I'm just concerned with how long it may take to settle with Audi.

In your case I'd think they'd settle much sooner as your car is un driveable. In my case I could still drive my car which is why I think they dragged it out for 10 months. Besides if you qualify for a Lemon then the process is very quick once that determination is made "legally".

[texsun]

In your case I'd think they'd settle much sooner as your car is un driveable. In my case I could still drive my car which is why I think they dragged it out for 10 months. Besides if you qualify for a Lemon then the process is very quick once that determination is made "legally".

Good to know. Thanks! They are going to return my car any day now and just hope it doesn't die.

If I'm reading you signature correctly, you're getting an S4??

I wish! Need to change my sig. I was originally going to get the S4 but the A6 was a last minute compromise with my wife.

[texsun]

Happy to report that Audi has agreed to replace my vehicle with a brand new '12! Still working out the details but kudos to Audi for stepping up and in such a timely manner.

[SinCityA6]

Happy to report that Audi has agreed to replace my vehicle with a brand new '12! Still working out the details but kudos to Audi for stepping up and in such a timely manner.

Holly cow!! Hope it all works out for you.

[305Supercharged]

Happy to report that Audi has agreed to replace my vehicle with a brand new '12! Still working out the details but kudos to Audi for stepping up and in such a timely manner.

!!