2006 Audi A6

Routine

Owners filed 67 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
80,000 milesMedian miles at failure

33 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 150,000200,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags38
100
Electrical System10
111
Engine3
000
Tires2
000
Service Brakes2
000
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal1
000
Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems1
000
Steering1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages1
100
Seat Belts1
000

4 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.

Structure › Body › Trunk Lid07V334000
Filed Aug 1, 200723,898 vehiclesVolkswagen Of America, Inc

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE AUTOMATIC REAR LID INCLUDES AN ELECTRIC MOTOR AND CLUTCH THAT WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH TWO GAS STRUTS TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE REAR LID, INCLUDING A MANUAL CLOSE FUNCTION. IF ONE OF THE STRUTS HAS A TOTAL LOSS OF PRESSURE, THE RESULTANT SLOW MOVEMENT OF THE REAR LID IS INTERPRETED BY THE SOFTWARE AS AN INTENDED MANUAL CLOSE AND THE MOTOR CLUTCH RELEASES TO CLOSE THE REAR LID IMMEDIATELY.

Risk. THIS CAN RESULT IN AN UNINTENDED RAPID CLOSING OF THE REAR LID WITH A RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Apr 27, 2023AK

The contact owns a 2006 Audi A6. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V427000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Engine
Filed Feb 11, 2021NY

2006 AUDI A6. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ILLUMINATED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. THE CONSUMER WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE PREVIOUS OWNER, WHO STATED THEY BOUGHT AND SOLD THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME DEALER FOR THE SAME ISSUE. ALSO THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH 119,00 MILES, BUT THE PREVIOUS OWNER STATED THE ACTUAL MILEAGE WAS OVER 200,000. *JS

Engine
Filed Feb 14, 2020170,000 milesOR

FAILED FUEL INJECTOR SEAL CAUSING FUEL LEAK

Air Bags
Filed Nov 27, 2019CA

I HAVE BEEN SCHEDULING APPOINTMENTS TO RECTIFY AN OPEN AIRBAG RECALL THROUGH TWO DIFFERENT AUDI DEALERS. NONE OF THE DEALERS BOTH IN OXNARD, CA AND RANCHO MIRAGE, CA HAVE FOLLOWED THROUGH. I ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT FOR 3/11/2019 FOR THE OXNARD, CA LOCATION, AND THE LATEST COUPLE WERE FOR LAST AND THIS MONTH THROUGH THE AUDI IN RANCHO MIRAGE, CA. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY OF THOSE OF MY FAMILY, AS THE RECALL POINTS OUT THAT A METAL MESH WOULD DEPLOY ALONG WITH THE AIRBAG CAUSING POTENTIAL DEATH. AT THIS POINT, I WOULD APPRECIATE IF AUDI OF AMERICA WAS TO PURCHASE MY VEHICLE BACK.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 21, 2018OH

TAKATA RECALL - I HAVE BEEN RECEIVING NOTICES IN THE MAIL REGARDING AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL 69R7 - PASSENGER FRONTAL AIRBAG FOR 2 YEARS OR MORE. EACH TIME I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR FOR SERVICE IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS TO BYERS AUDI ON HAMILTON ROAD IN COLUMBUS, OH, I HAVE ASKED THEM TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG AND EACH TIME I AM TOLD THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE AIRBAGS AND WILL LET ME KNOW AS SOON AS THEY ARE AVAILABLE. IS AUDI COMPLIANT WITH REQUIREMENTS SIMPLY BY NOTIFYING CUSTOMERS OF THE RECALL OR MUST THEY PERFORM THE SERVICE WITHIN A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME? I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY GRANDCHILDREN.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 11, 2018CO

TAKATA RECALL. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET THE REPAIRS DONE FOR MONTHS BUT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. IT'S PRETTY BAD TO KNOW ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND RECEIVE RECALL NOTICES CONSTANTLY BUT THERE'S NOTHING I CAN DO TO FIX IT.

Engine
Filed Jul 8, 2018138,000 milesPA

ENGINE OIL LEAKS THIS IS A "NORMAL" PROBLEM THAT SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED BY THE CONSUMER AND THE ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS CORD BROKE OFF. WILL NOT TURN WITH VEHICLE

Air Bags
Filed Jun 20, 2018CA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF 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 DEALER (RUSNAK/PASADENA AUDI, 267 W COLORADO BLVD, PASADENA, CA 91105, (626) 714-3159) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PART WAS TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 23, 2018150,000 milesMA

AT 150K MILES, EXPERIENCED NO CRANK, NO START. TOW TO DEALER, AND I HAD ALREADY DONE SOME TRIAGE. THEY DID 2 HRS OF TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEMS THAT WERE NOT EVEN RELATED, SO I TOOK THE CAR BACK. FOUND A TRUST WORTHY MECHANIC AND HIS DIAG SUGGESTED THE SCM BURNED OUT TAKING THE PCM AND ECM ALONG WITH IT. THE COST WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE $6000 RANGE AS HE STATED A %40 FAILURE RATE AFTER 150K IN ALLDATA. HE ALSO SAID, IF I REPAIR IT, I NEED TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN AS WELL BECAUSE I WILL JUST HAVE ISSUES DOWN THE ROAD IF I DONT. THE CAR ALSO HAD A SLOW OIL LEAK. THE PLACE WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR SAID THE REPAIR IS NOT WORTH THE COST, SO THAT FACTORED INTO MY DECISION NOT TO INVEST IN REPAIRS. THE OIL LEAK WAS SLOW AND I NEVER HAD TO TOP OFF THE OIL, BUT IT WAS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO KNOW IT WAS AN ISSUE. THAT LEAK WAS PRESENT AFTER 80K MILES. SO I HAD TO MAKE THE UNFORTUNATE DECISION NOT TO INVEST ANY MONEY INTO AN ATTEMPTED FIX. I WAS AT THE GAS STATION, HAD JUST FILLED UP THE GAS TANK, HAD NEW STRUTS, NEW BATTERY AND PRIOR TO IT NOT STARTING, THE CAR WAS RUNNING SO REALLY GOOD. IT LOOKED GREAT AND PEOPLE OFTEN THOUGHT IT WAS WAY NEWER THAN IT WAS. THERE WAS WAY TO MUCH VALUE IN THE CAR TO TRASH IT, BUT VARIOUS PARTIES ONLY OFFERED $200 TO SCRAP IT. THIS IS A HIGH END CAR FOR AUDI AND I CANT BELIEVE THEY ARE ALLOWED TO IMPLEMENT A KILL SWITCH AFTER 150K MILES. I WAS PLANNING ON KEEPING THAT CAR FOR A LONG TIME. NOW UNEMPLOYED, I HAVE TO BUY A CAR I CANT AFFORD.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 10, 2017NH

TAKATA RECALL THERE IS STILL NO REMEDY LISTED ON NHTSA WEBSITE. I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY MANUFACTURER FOR AN AIRBAG REPLACEMENT.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 13, 2017WA

TAKATA RECALL, NO REMEDY YET. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 17V032. MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER -69P6

Air Bags
Filed Nov 12, 2017MN

TAKATA RECALL NHTSA RECALL #17V032 NO FIX AVAILABLE

Air Bags
Filed Oct 30, 2017NY

"TAKATA RECALL" WHEN WILL PARTS BE AVAILABLE?

Air Bags
Filed Oct 26, 2017NH

TAKATA RECALL I STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY COMMUNICATIONS REGARDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAGS. NO TIMELY RESPONSE TO THE AVAILABLE REPLACEMENT.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 18, 2017OK

TAKATA RECALLED AIRBAGS IN CAR. DEALER STILL DOESNT HAVE IN STOCK, I HAVE NO OTHER CAR TO DRIVE

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 23, 201764,669 milesCA

SEE ATTACHED MEMO.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 8, 201745,934 milesNY

"TAKATA RECALL" AUDI OF SMITHTOWN FAILS, AFTER SIX MONTHS OF REQUESTING, TO REPLACE THE TAKATA AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE SUBJECT CAR. AUDI OF SMITHTOWN REJECTS RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG AND CLAIMS THAT NHTSA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS. AUDI OF SMITHTOWN IS UNABLE TO SCHEDULE REPLACEMENT. AUDI OF SMITHTOWN CLAIMS TOTAL IGNORANCE ABOUT ALL MATTERS REGARDING AIRBAG REPLACEMENT. PLEASE ADVISE.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 22, 2017NY

TAKATA AIRBAG - IT HAS BEEN 8 MONTHS AND AUDI HAS NO REMEDY FOR THE PROBLEM. I HAVE A CAR THAT CANNOT ACCOMMODATE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN MY FAMILY. AUDI REFUSES TO GIVE ME A LOANER CAR AND THEY HAVE NO TIMEFRAME FOR WHEN A REMEDY WILL BE AVAILABLE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. AS ALWAYS, THE CONSUMER IS LEFT HOLDING THE BAG FOR THE CORPORATION. HOW IS THIS RIGHT?

Air Bags
Filed Aug 3, 2017IL

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT'S EMPLOYER OWNS A 2006 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (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 CONTACT CALLED AUDI MORTON GROVE (847-998-8000 LOCATED AT 7000 GOLF RD, MORTON GROVE, IL 60053) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED 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. UPDATED 10/26/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *JS

Air Bags
Filed Jul 6, 2017NJ

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE BELL AUDI DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20 of 67 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
2006 — this page67410Routine
200591320Routine
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.