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.
2012 audi A6 steering problems
moderate 6 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$700
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
2012 AUDI A6 MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY WOULD NOT START. THE IGNITION DID NOT TURN ON. IT SAID "DO NOT DRIVE - STEERING DEFECTIVE" STEERING COULD NOT BE TURNED, GEARS COULD NOT BE SHIFTED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED USING DOLLY TOW TRUCK SINCE ALL THE WHEELS WERE LOCKED. THE DEALER SAID IT HAD A FAULTY STEERING CONTROL MODULE AND GAVE ME A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR BILL. THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED …
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2012 audi A6?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 6 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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