2005 Audi A6

Routine

Owners filed 91 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

52 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000150,000 miles; the median is 90,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags42
101
Electrical System9
010
Steering6
000
Vehicle Speed Control3
000
Structure3
000
Service Brakes3
000
Engine3
000
Visibility2
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission2
000
Parking Brake2
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module18V427000
Filed Jun 22, 2018237,947 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Sedan, A4 Avant, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan, 2007-2008 RS4 Sedan, 2004 RS4 Cabriolet, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2005-2011 A6 Sedan, 2006-2011 A6 Avant, and 2007-2011 S6 Sedan vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag with an alternate remedy part, free of charge. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R7. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 16V382, 17V032 and 18V004 and includes vehicles that may have had their air bag previously replaced under one of those campaigns.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module17V032000
Filed Jan 11, 201733,421 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Avant, A4 Sedan, A6 Sedan, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan vehicles, 2007-2008 A4 Cabriolet, RS4 Sedan, S4 Cabriolet and S6 Sedan vehicles, and 2006-2008 A6 Avant and 2008 RS4 Cabriolet vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall number 18V427.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module16V382000
Filed Jun 1, 2016194,453 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Audi A4, and 2005-2011 Audi A6 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Audi A4, and 2005-2008 Audi A6 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling model year 2004 Audi A4 vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Steering
Filed Jan 25, 2022NY

When this steering problem is occurring no communication between the steering and driver and accident happened and its very dangerous!!! DTC 00456 (Access/start control module -J518- no communication) is found in several control modules or the access/start authorization control module, J518 (address word 05), identifies itself with implausible data can be found through guided fault finding (GFF). If DTC 00288 (Steering column lock actuator-N360, faulty) is logged in the access/start authorization control module, J518

Air Bags
Filed Oct 27, 201982,717 milesOH

AUDI OF AMERICA SENT ME A FLYER (ATTACHED) OFFERING $100 IN AUDI GOODS AND SERVICES AS AN INCENTIVE TO COMPLETE THE REPLACEMENT OF A TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL. SINCE MAY 2ND, NOW ALMOST 5 MONTHS LATER, AUDI HAS STILL FAILED TO PROVIDE THE OFFERED INCENTIVE DESPITE ME CONTACTING THEM AND THEIR PROMISE IT WOULD BE RESOLVED. AS THIS RECALL IS UNDER NHTSA JURISDICTION I THOUGHT YOU WOULD HAVE INTEREST IN THEIR BEHAVIOR IN REGARDS TO THIS SERIOUS MATTER.

Wheels
Filed Jul 3, 2019CA

NOV 17 2017 ON MY WAY TO WORK , I GOT A FLAT TIRED SO I HAD TO PULL OVER .. RIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION OF ON CLAIREMONT GOING NORTH ON THE 805. THE

Air Bags
Filed Dec 3, 2018NY

I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE AIRBAG RECALL REPAIRS DONE MANY TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR,ONLY TOLD THAT THEY ARE WAITING FOR PARTS AT AUDI OF ROCHESTER NY. I AM CONCERNED THE I HAVE HEAR NOTHING FROM THEM. I HAVE NOT HAD THE PASSENGER AIRBAG GO OFF NOR DO I WANT TO TAKE THE CHANCE THAT IT WILL.

Steering
Filed Nov 11, 2018145,800 milesCA

VEHICLE WOULDN'T START AFTER PARKING AT A STORE PARKING LOT. STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED NO POWER TO ANYTHING ONLY MMI HAD POWER TRANSMISSION WAS LOCKED ON PARKING POSITION AND ELECTRONIC BRAKE SISTEM WAS ACTIVATED LOOKING UP ONLINE I FOUND THAT THERE'S TO MANY CUSTOMERS WITH SAME PROBLEM THEY ALL STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE START CONTROL MODULE.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 30, 2018CA

TAKATA RECALL I HAVE CONTACTED AUDI TWICE, THEY HAVE TOLD ME THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART AND ONCE THEY RECEIVE THE PART THEY WOULD CALL ME TO SET AN APPOINTMENT TO REPAIR THE AIRBAG. I HAVE BEEN WAITING ABOUT 6 MONTHS (MAYBE LONGER). I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM. AFTER WAITING A FEW MONTHS I DECIDED TO ALSO FILL OUT THE FORM ON THE AUDI WEBSITE REGARDING THE TAKATA RECALL ON MAY 15, 2018 AND STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 19, 2018CO

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER (PRESTIGE PORSCHE AUDI, 1-877-663-9259) WAS CALLED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 10, 2018WA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V032000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (LARSON AUDI TACOMA, 1701 ALEXANDER AVENUE, FIFE, WASHINGTON 98424) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 22, 2018PR

TAKATA RECALL MANUFACTURER HAS FAILED OR IS UNABLE TO REMEDY THIS SAFETY RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE

Air Bags
Filed Dec 31, 2017MN

"TAKATA RECALL I HAVE BEEN GETTING THE ROUND AROUND ON REPLACEMENT OF THE INFLATOR FOR THE PAST YEAR. ONE EXCUSE AFTER ANOTHER.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 15, 2017IL

TAKATA RECALL- NO SCHEDULED REPAIR CONFIRMED.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 20, 2017NH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V032000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AUDI OF STRATHMAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE (50 PORTSMOUTH AVE 03855) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 20, 2017WA

TAKATA RECALL-THERE IS NO SOLUTION FOR A FIX FROM AUDI. THEY SAY THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS AND DO NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WILL GET THEM.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 3, 2017AK

TAKATA RECALL: WHY DO I HAVE A LETTER FROM AUDI AND A NOTICE FROM TK HOLDINGS INC. STATING MY VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO A RECALL, YET WHEN I REGISTER THE CAR IT COMES UP AS NOT IN THE DATABASE. I TESTED YOUR DATABASE AS WELL AND IT DOES NOT COME UP. ON PAPER THE CAR IS SUBJECT TO THE RECALL BUT NOT ONLINE. THANKS

Air Bags
Filed Oct 26, 2017NY

TAKATA INFLATOR NOT REPLACED ALTHOUGH I ASKED FOR REPLACEMENT OVER 1 YEAR AGO

Air Bags
Filed Aug 7, 2017MN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY PARTS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL THREE MONTHS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 13, 2017142,000 milesVA

"TAKATA RECALL" IT'S BEEN OVER 1 YEAR SINCE I RECEIVED MY RECALL NOTICE ON THE PASSENGER AIRBAG FOR MY 2005 AUDI A6. I'VE BEEN TOLD AUDI DOESN'T HAVE A REPLACEMENT PART AVAILABLE YET. IF THE RECALL IS CORRECT MY CAR ISN'T SAFE FOR A PASSENGER AND I SEE NO HELP FROM AUDI.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 26, 2017NY

TAKATA RECALL - DANGEROUS PASSENGER AIRBAG RECALL FOR OVER 1 YEAR AND NO REPLACEMENT OR REMEDY OFFERED.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 20, 2017TN

TAKATA RECALL. I WAS NOTIFIED IN JULY 2016 ABOUT THIS RECALL. I HAVE TRIED TO HAVE IT REPAIRED BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD THERE IS NO REPAIR YET. IT SAYS I SHOULD AVOID HAVING ANYONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THAT IS NOT PRACTICAL AS I USE MY CAR EVERYDAY.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 15, 2017NY

TAKATA RECALL. RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE MAY, 2016 AND AGAIN FEB, 2016. BOTH TIMES, INFORMED "RECALL INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE.

20 of 91 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20266000Routine
20256200Routine
20242100Routine
20232100Routine
20222500Routine
2021161100Routine
202025900Routine
2019114710Routine
201811210Routine
201720300Routine
201651320Routine
201522400Routine
201441400Routine
201352620Routine
201259800Routine
201121300Routine
201017310Routine
200921400Routine
200871410Routine
200753400Routine
200667410Routine
2005 — this page91320Routine
200435420Routine
200366750Routine
200288431Fatalities reported
2001113770Routine
2000148480Routine
19992179232Fatalities reported
19981301070Routine
199720240Routine
199651210Routine
199516200Routine
19942100Routine

Compare every A6 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jun 22, 2018. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.