Common Error Messages and Warning Lights in Audi cars

Seeing an error message popping up or a warning light turning on the dashboard of your Audi car is always painful. But it's not necessarily the reason to go to the dealership and spend your hard-earned money.

In this article, I've gathered all the common error messages and warning lights that we've covered on the pages of the blog. These are the issues that people have asked us about and we investigated these problems to give them proper advice.

Let's see what these messages and lights are and how you can deal with them!

"Gearbox Malfunction" message in Audi

The Gearbox Malfunction message in the North American market most often has other wording - Transmission Malfunction. This message indicates that the TCU (transmission control unit) or ECU (engine control unit) has discovered a problem with some sensors.

The actual problem depends on the transmission type and should be investigated with a good scanner. But I know about the most common issues. They are almost always connected to two things: battery issues or transmission fluid levels.

If you don't have the reverse, it's almost always about the fluid level or fatal transmission damage.

Unfortunately, this problem is pretty difficult to inspect and repair. Sometimes, the problem can disappear after some time just because the glitch is over. But, in most cases, this will pop up regularly and it's not really recommended to drive like this.

The affected vehicles are Audi A3, A4, A6, Q5, Q7, etc. It's hard to point out certain models because a lot of Audi cars use the same transmissions with common problems in them. We've had this on the Audi S5 from our fleet and this appeared to be the end of the transmission at 50,000 miles.

The price range is hard to estimate. If the Gearbox Malfunction message popped up because of the malfunctioning sensor, you are lucky to fix it for $150-$200. But if the transmission needs replacement, the price is going to be over $5,000 or so.

Gearbox Malfunction message highlights:

• Common reasons:clutch in DCTs, low fluid level, low 12V battery glitch
• How to fix:replace/recharge battery, add transmission fluid, replace the clutch kit (in DCT)
• Possible consequences:fatal transmission damage, car completely immobilized
• Priority level:High
• Can you drive?No
• DIY repair:Impossible
• Repair price range:$150-$5000

"Parking brake malfunction" message in Audi

While the parking brake fault may catch you in the worst possible time, you should know what to do with it. Without a functioning parking brake, you can't park the vehicle on the hill - this may cause damage to your transmission, in the end.

So, when you see this message, it clearly means that the handbrake is not functioning. There are several reasons for that like the issues with electronics or low brake fluid levels.

This message may mean that there are issues with the entire braking system, so I don't recommend ignoring it. While driving without a parking brake is not dangerous, driving with any issues that touch the main braking system is a no-no for any car owner.

Parking brake malfunction message highlights:

• Common reasons:electronics, brake fluid level, worn brake pads, parking brake switch issues
• How to fix:use scanner, check fluid, check pads
• Possible consequences:overall brake problems, no parking brake, parking pawl damage in transmission
• Priority level:High
• Can you drive?Not recommended
• DIY repair:Impossible
• Repair price range:$150-$300

"Inspection due" message in Audi

The "Inspection Due" message just tells you that it's time to go to the dealership or independent repair shop and change your oil and filters. Depending on the mileage and age of your car, the set of tasks you will need to pay for may vary.

But you can reset the message so that it doesn't bother you. For this, you may use any proper scanner. In older vehicles, it was possible to do this with the help of a special procedure without the scanner. You needed to know the special sequence of actions for your model (usually can be found in the driver's manual).

Anyway, before you reset the service reminder in your Audi, make sure you provide your car with proper maintenance. Without changing the oil on time, Audi engines aren't really durable and reliable.

Service reminder message highlights:

• Common reasons:time to change oil or do any other scheduled service
• How to fix:go to the dealer and pay for the service required, reset the reminder
• Possible consequences:engine failure if oil isn't changed
• Priority level:Low
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:Possible
• Repair price range:$0-$150

"Safety System Malfunction" message in Audi

If you get the "Safety System Malfunction" message in your Audi vehicle, first of all, check for the recalls. There are several active recalls covering exactly this message and your vehicle may be part of those recalls.

You should also see if there are changes and other messages in your vehicle. For example, the passenger airbag may be off due to a glitch in the software.

When it comes to the safety system problems, this message may show you that the passive safety system is not working at all. So, in case you get into an accident, the airbags may not deploy. If you decide to drive further, be absolutely careful.

Safety system error message highlights:

• Common reasons:software problems, sensors glitching, issues covered by several recalls
• How to fix:go to the dealer - you won't do anything on your own
• Possible consequences:airbags not deploying, issues with other safety equipment
• Priority level:High
• Can you drive?Carefully
• DIY repair:Impossible
• Repair price range:$0-$500

"Please Change Key Battery" message in Audi

In a modern key fob, there is a problem with batteries. They keep going down one by one and you have to change them really often. Why? Because the smart key consumes way more power than the older type of car keys.

Your smart key sends signals and tries to communicate with the car at all times. Even the spare key does that while it rests somewhere in your house. So, the battery is OK for 8-12 months and then it requires replacement.

If you drive an Audi car, you will see the "Please Change Key Battery" message and it will inform you about the low battery voltage in the key. If you ignore this, you may need to know the backup plan to open and start the car with the physical key rather than with the keyless systems.

Key battery warning highlights:

• Common reasons:low battery in the key fob, keyless entry system problems
• How to fix:change the battery, check the keyless system with the scanner
• Possible consequences:the key fob may stop working at all
• Priority level:Medium
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:Possible
• Repair price range:$1-$20

"Add Oil Immediately" message in Audi

Modern Audi cars have no dipstick to check the oil level. This is yet another "improvement" but we just have to cope with this.

If you see the "Add Oil Immediately" message, it means that the oil level sensor in your engine registered a low level. Use the MMI functions to check the oil level and see if it's actually low. You may try adding 100-200 grams of oil and check it again to see if the readings change.

But, in most cases, your Audi will have problems with the sensor. So, you will need to go to the dealer or an independent shop and check the sensor with an Audi scanner. Fortunately, the sensor replacement is not that expensive.

Add oil immediately message highlights:

• Common reasons:low oil level, malfunctioning oil level sensor
• How to fix:check the oil level, add 100-200 grams and check again, use a scanner to check the sensor
• Possible consequences:low oil will kill the engine quickly
• Priority level:High
• Can you drive?Not recommended
• DIY repair:Possible
• Repair price range:$0-$200

"Loading the system" message in Audi

Audi MMI has multiple problems and common issues. There are ways to solve the problem but sometimes it needs professional help.

If you see the "Loading the System" message on the MMI, you may be observing it forever till the MMI is rebooted or the software is refreshed. There are two fixes for this problem - the free one and the paid one.

The free fix: press the volume knob near the gear shifter on the lower center console for 10 seconds. This will reboot the MMI and most likely, you will not have this problem for quite a long time.

Paid fix: go to the dealer and have the MMI software updated. If your car is under warranty, this will not cost you anything. The faulty software is known to be in the 2021 models (not all but random models).

Loading the system message highlights:

• Common reasons:software glitch
• How to fix:reboot the MMI, update the software
• Possible consequences:MMI won't work till the problem is solved
• Priority level:Low
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:Possible
• Repair price range:$0-$300

EPC Light is on in Audi

When you see the EPC light in your Audi, it means that something is wrong with the Electric Power Control. While it can mean a dozen of things, the most common problem is the issue with the electronic throttle or the sensors attached to it.

I've seen EPC light in combination with other error messages and warning lights meaning different things. But, in most cases, it's exactly the throttle problem. When the ECU doesn't understand the position of the throttle or has problems controlling it, it will light up the EPC light immediately.

If you have no mechanic skills, there is no way you can solve this problem on your own, so better take your Audi to a good shop.

EPC light highlights:

• Common reasons:electronic throttle problems, throttle sensor issues
• How to fix:check the sensors, check the throttle, use the scanner
• Possible consequences:broken throttle may leave you stranded or send the car to the limp mode
• Priority level:Medium
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:Possible but complicated
• Repair price range:$50-$500