Audi A4, A6 Recall R/2020/265: Moisture May Enter The Belt Driven Starter-alternator, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Low
- How serious
- 2 Oct 2020
- Launched
- 11,936
- vehicles in the UK
- 27H8
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Audi recalled A4, A6 vehicles built between 10 August 2018 and 11 March 2020. Moisture may enter the belt-driven starter-alternator. The dealer will replace the starter-alternator on the affected vehicles. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
Moisture may enter the belt-driven starter-alternator.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: MOISTURE MAY ENTER THE BELT DRIVEN STARTER-ALTERNATOR Defect: It is possible that moisture may enter the belt-driven starter-alternator. Remedy: The starter-alternator must be replaced on the affected vehicles.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: moisture may enter the belt driven starter-alternator.
The Fix
The dealer will replace the starter-alternator on the affected vehicles.
Are You Affected?
A4, A6 built between 10 August 2018 and 11 March 2020 may be included. Audi estimates 11,936 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Audi, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Audi.
- Book with any franchised Audi dealer, quoting the campaign code 27H8 or the DVSA reference R/2020/265. See how to get a Audi recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| A6, Q8Belt buckle rivet missing | Urgent | R/2025/508 | |
| A6, A7, Q5Software update for battery control unit | Urgent | R/2025/463 | |
| A3, A4, A4 Cabrio, A5 and 3 moreStop-drive TAKATA PSAN | Stop driving | R/2025/387 | |
| A6, Q5Servicing high-voltage battery | Stop driving | R/2024/495 | |
| A3, A4Replacing TAKATA driver airbag | Urgent | R/2024/312 |
This is one of 158 Audi recalls in DVSA’s data. The Audi recall launched before it was R/2020/260 on 8 Sep 2020, for the backrest adjustment mechanism gap may be faulty on individual front seats. The one launched after it was R/2020/287 on 9 Oct 2020, for the engine compartment seal may become deformed and loose. You can also see every Audi recall, the Audi A4 recall history and all recalls launched in 2020.
Source: DVSA recall R/2020/265, launched 2 October 2020. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.