SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2025 SQ6 E-Tron, SQ6 Sportback E-Tron, Q6 Sportback E-Tron, A6, A5, A6 Sportback E-Tron, Q6 E-Tron, S5, and S6 Sportback E-Tron vehicles. The automatic locking retractor may fail to engage when a child seat is installed using the seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the right and left rear seat belt assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 16, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69D8. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.
27,768 vehicles affected
Yes. The vehicle has experienced multiple critical system failures, most notably involving a defective SX6 module, which is a central control unit responsible for coordinating key electronic, safety, and communication systems. Its failure has led to widespread issues, including persistent warning messages, driver assistance malfunctions, MMI system instability, and ultimately a complete high-voltage system shutdown while driving. The repair is extensive, requiring full module replacement, software programming, and system recalibration across interconnected systems. The vehicle has remained inoperable due to significant delays in obtaining this part. This defect appears to be widespread among this vehicle’s make and model, as evidenced by numerous owner reports and forum discussions describing similar SX6 module failures with limited long-term resolution. The vehicle and all affected components are available for inspection upon request. The safety risk has been severe. The lane keep and lane centering system has shut off abruptly at highway speeds without warning, causing the vehicle to drift or swerve out of its lane and creating a high risk of collision. More critically, the vehicle suffered a complete high-voltage system failure while driving on public roads, resulting in a sudden and total loss of power without warning. This creates an extremely dangerous situation, as the vehicle cannot maintain speed or safely respond to surrounding traffic, significantly increasing the risk of an accident. Yes. The issues have been reproduced and confirmed by an authorized dealership, which also diagnosed a failed module requiring replacement. No. The vehicle and its components have not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or other third parties. Yes. Numerous warning lights, system notifications, and other symptoms began appearing within a few weeks after purchase. The vehicle was purchased in September 2025.
Yes. The vehicle has experienced multiple critical system failures, most notably involving a defective SX6 module, which is a central control unit responsible for coordinating key electronic, safety, and communication systems. Its failure has led to widespread issues, including persistent warning messages, driver assistance malfunctions, MMI system instability, and ultimately a complete high-voltage system shutdown while driving. The repair is extensive, requiring full module replacement, software programming, and system recalibration across interconnected systems. The vehicle has remained inoperable due to significant delays in obtaining this part. This defect appears to be widespread among this vehicle’s make and model, as evidenced by numerous owner reports and forum discussions describing similar SX6 module failures with limited long-term resolution. The vehicle and all affected components are available for inspection upon request. The safety risk has been severe. The lane keep and lane centering system has shut off abruptly at highway speeds without warning, causing the vehicle to drift or swerve out of its lane and creating a high risk of collision. More critically, the vehicle suffered a complete high-voltage system failure while driving on public roads, resulting in a sudden and total loss of power without warning. This creates an extremely dangerous situation, as the vehicle cannot maintain speed or safely respond to surrounding traffic, significantly increasing the risk of an accident. Yes. The issues have been reproduced and confirmed by an authorized dealership, which also diagnosed a failed module requiring replacement. No. The vehicle and its components have not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or other third parties. Yes. Numerous warning lights, system notifications, and other symptoms began appearing within a few weeks after purchase. The vehicle was purchased in September 2025.
Yes. The vehicle has experienced multiple critical system failures, most notably involving a defective SX6 module, which is a central control unit responsible for coordinating key electronic, safety, and communication systems. Its failure has led to widespread issues, including persistent warning messages, driver assistance malfunctions, MMI system instability, and ultimately a complete high-voltage system shutdown while driving. The repair is extensive, requiring full module replacement, software programming, and system recalibration across interconnected systems. The vehicle has remained inoperable due to significant delays in obtaining this part. This defect appears to be widespread among this vehicle’s make and model, as evidenced by numerous owner reports and forum discussions describing similar SX6 module failures with limited long-term resolution. The vehicle and all affected components are available for inspection upon request. The safety risk has been severe. The lane keep and lane centering system has shut off abruptly at highway speeds without warning, causing the vehicle to drift or swerve out of its lane and creating a high risk of collision. More critically, the vehicle suffered a complete high-voltage system failure while driving on public roads, resulting in a sudden and total loss of power without warning. This creates an extremely dangerous situation, as the vehicle cannot maintain speed or safely respond to surrounding traffic, significantly increasing the risk of an accident. Yes. The issues have been reproduced and confirmed by an authorized dealership, which also diagnosed a failed module requiring replacement. No. The vehicle and its components have not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or other third parties. Yes. Numerous warning lights, system notifications, and other symptoms began appearing within a few weeks after purchase. The vehicle was purchased in September 2025.
UPDATE TO EXISTING COMPLAINT #11717767: On 2/24/2026, the Audi dealer performed a diagnosis and confirmed in writing on the attached official Repair Order that the vehicle is designed to intentionally blank out the instrument cluster and speedometer for 30-60 seconds during an MMI reset, which they acknowledge is a safety hazard while driving. Please merge this dealer admission PDF attachment with my original complaint.
UPDATE TO EXISTING COMPLAINT #11717767: On 2/24/2026, the Audi dealer performed a diagnosis and confirmed in writing on the attached official Repair Order that the vehicle is designed to intentionally blank out the instrument cluster and speedometer for 30-60 seconds during an MMI reset, which they acknowledge is a safety hazard while driving. Please merge this dealer admission PDF attachment with my original complaint.
UPDATE TO EXISTING COMPLAINT #11717767: On 2/24/2026, the Audi dealer performed a diagnosis and confirmed in writing on the attached official Repair Order that the vehicle is designed to intentionally blank out the instrument cluster and speedometer for 30-60 seconds during an MMI reset, which they acknowledge is a safety hazard while driving. Please merge this dealer admission PDF attachment with my original complaint.
The contact owns a 2025 Audi SQ6 E-Tron. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel became inoperable. The contact stated that after the vehicle performed a system reboot, the instrument panel remained inoperable, and the display appeared blank. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 3,050.
Audi mmi safety systems regularly go into failure/ error mode (see photos ) - screen says car can still be driven on screen but all warnings flash continuously and safety systems do not operate until car turned off again, often errors and failure of safety systems to operate continue on next start up -often 1-10x times a day, then no issues for a couple days. Reported to Audi w description and photos, no fix offered accept “bring in for service”. Seems to be a common issue w/ other owners from web search Have not brought in for service.
Audi mmi safety systems regularly go into failure/ error mode (see photos ) - screen says car can still be driven on screen but all warnings flash continuously and safety systems do not operate until car turned off again, often errors and failure of safety systems to operate continue on next start up -often 1-10x times a day, then no issues for a couple days. Reported to Audi w description and photos, no fix offered accept “bring in for service”. Seems to be a common issue w/ other owners from web search Have not brought in for service.
Audi mmi safety systems regularly go into failure/ error mode (see photos ) - screen says car can still be driven on screen but all warnings flash continuously and safety systems do not operate until car turned off again, often errors and failure of safety systems to operate continue on next start up -often 1-10x times a day, then no issues for a couple days. Reported to Audi w description and photos, no fix offered accept “bring in for service”. Seems to be a common issue w/ other owners from web search Have not brought in for service.