2011 Audi A6

Routine

Owners filed 21 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags12
101
Seats3
000
Electrical System2
000
Wheels1
000
Power Train1
000
Equipment1
000
Engine1
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 Module18V004000
Filed Jan 4, 201810,166 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Audi A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles, ever registered in the states of 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." Additionally, unless included in "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet vehicles, and 2009-2011 Audi A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles registered in the states of 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 or "Zone C." 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 will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Audi mailed an interim owner notification March 02, 2018. When parts to perform the recall repair become available, Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in June 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69U1. Note: This recall has been superseded by 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
Electrical System
Filed Jun 15, 2026LA

The car throw a EPC warning light which cause the car to go n limp mode. With doing research ot has to do with the transmission. This cause the car to drive sluggish unable to reverse at times unable to take the car out of park at times. It also cause the car to randomly shut off when reversing or at times when im sitting at a light n i begin to drive the car can randomly shut off at times. Which in my open is unsafe because what if the the person behind me isnt payimg attention and i get rear ended. Ive reached out to Audi dearlership is was told a part was discontiued and to bring it in for them to further diagnostic it. Ive had the codes read and im getting the symptoms of the code i pulled but told that part was discontiued. So i feel like if thats the case Audi should have did a recall on the car.

Engine
Filed Feb 13, 2026OR

2011 Audi A6 seems to be overlooked compared to the rest of the Audi’s yet the Audi has so many different issues such as timing chain such as water pump, such as brake issues, such as rack pinion yet there hasn’t been anyone investigating this in particular make a model it needs to be done for safety reasons. Additionally, I was never contacted for the airbags cars registered DMV and nobody has bothered to inform me of the New airbag issues. What other issues are there brought to one’s attention?

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 29, 202066,000 milesWA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, WHEN HE CRASHED (T-BONED) ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES ON HIS 2 LOWER DISC AND REQUIRED SURGERY AND ALSO HAD BACK SURGERY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER DEEMED THE VEHICLE WAS LOSS. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALER AUDI TACOMA LOCATED AT 1701-B ALEXANDER AVE E, FIFE, WA 98424, (253) 475-3832 AND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE VIN WAS ASSOCIATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V427000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,000.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 31, 2018CT

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V004000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER (AUDI GREENWICH, 181 WEST PUTNAM AVENUE, GREENWICH, CT 06830) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 12, 2018WA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V427000 (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. AUDI TACOMA (1701 ALEXANDER AVE E, FIFE, WA 98424, (253) 475-3832) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 28, 2018ME

TAKATA RECALL- I WAS FIRST INFORMED OF THIS RECALL IN MARCH EVEN THOUGH THE RECALL FOR MY CAR STARTED IN JANUARY. SINCE, I HAVE RECEIVED NO NOTIFICATION FROM AUDI OF THE STATUS OF REPAIR. GIVEN THE DIRECTION OF AUDI, WE ARE NOT ABLE TO USE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WHICH MAKES THE CAR UNABLE TO ACCOMMODATE THE SPECIFIED PASSENGERS AND THE VALUE OF THE CAR HAS PLUNGED. IN ADDITION, I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO SELL MY CAR GIVEN THE ABOVE. HOW CAN I SELL A CAR THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF "METAL FRAGMENTS COULD PASS THROUGH THE AIRBAG MATERIAL,WHICH MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS." NOW THAT I REREAD THE RECALL NOTICE, I REALIZE THAT THE RECALL SUGGESTS MULTIPLE PEOPLE COULD DIE WHICH MEANS OTHERS IN THE CAR ARE AT RISK. THERE NEEDS TO BE COMPENSATION FOR THE LOSS OF USE, LOSS OF VALUE AND INABILITY TO SELL THIS CAR.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 13, 2018WA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V004000 (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 BELLEVUE (1533 120TH AVE NE, BELLEVUE, WA 98005, (425) 249-7388) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 17, 2017MD

TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL

Air Bags
Filed Mar 27, 2017FL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 156V382000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 20, 2017CA

"TAKATA RECALL" I WAS INFORMED BY MAIL LETTER (JULY 2016) THAT MY 2011 AUDI A6 WAS UNDER RECALL FOR FAULTY PASSENGER AIRBAGS AND THAT I AM NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE ANYONE SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. IT IS NOW JANUARY 20TH, 2017 AND THERE STILL IS NO CORRECTION OR REPLACEMENT IN PLACE. THIS IS PREVENTING ME FROM USING MY CAR AS A DAILY DRIVER DUE TO THE NO PASSENGER NOTIFICATION AND HAS DECREASED THE VALUE OF MY CAR IF I WERE TO TRY AND SELL IT. I WANT THE PROBLEM FIXED.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 19, 201757,000 milesCA

STILL NO DATE WHEN THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL WILL BE SERVICED FOR MY VEHICLE.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 10, 2016FL

RECALL HAS NOT BEEN PERFORMED-RECALL 6902. NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE FROM COMPANY. NHTSA# 26V382. CAN'T SELL IT. AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. PASSENGERS DEAD OR INJURED COULD SUE ALL. NEEDS RESOLUTION IMMEDIATELY.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 1, 2016TX

"TAKATA RECALL" AUDI NOTIFIED US IN JULY. A CALL TO AUDI'S 800 # RESULTED IN NO INFORMATION AS TO WHEN REPAIRS WILL BE MADE. CAN SOMEONE GIVE US THE DATE WHEN PARTS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE DEALER TO MAKE NECESSARY REPAIRS? IS THERE A DIFFERENT MANUFACTURE'S PRODUCT THAT AUDI COULD INSTALL TO REPLACE THE TAKATA PRODUCT?

Air Bags
Filed Aug 23, 2016TX

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Seats
Filed Aug 19, 201665,000 milesOH

THE HARD PLASTIC SEAT BACK OF THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS COME LOOSE. THE ADHESION SYSTEM HAS FAILED. THERE HAS BEEN VERY LIGHT USE OF ALL SEATS OTHER THAN THE DRIVER'S SEAT.

Seats
Filed Jul 10, 2016MD

PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS ARE FALLING APART. THE SEATS ARE PANELED AND SEPARATING SEEN BY REAR SEAT PASSENGERS ....THE SEATS ARE A DEFECT AND SAFETY CONCERN FOR ALL PASSENGERS. THE MECHANISMS OF THE HEATED SEATS ARE EXPOSED AND THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE SEAT TOGETHER IS AN ADHESIVE THAT'S NOT STICKING OR EVEN STICKY. SEATS BACK PANELS ARE LEANING ON PASSENGER WHILE DRIVING.

Seats
Filed Jun 10, 201659,000 milesNY

REAR SEATBACKS (RIGID PLASTIC) IS OPEN AT THE TOP ON PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE SEATS. THIS IS AN AUDI DESIGN DEFECT AND SAFETY CONCERN TO REAR SEAT PASSENGERS IN AN ACCIDENT. VELCRO ADHESIVE DOES NOT WORK. THE CONNECTORS AT THE TOP WERE EITHER MISSING OR NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY.

Equipment
Filed Mar 1, 2016OH

AUDI 2011 A6, VIN [XXX] HAD A CATASTROPHIC STEERING FAILURE ON FEB 24, 2016. FORTUNATELY THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE FRONT WHEELS AND STEERING WHEEL FROZE. AUDI AND THE LOCAL DEALER DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AS A RANDOM FAILURE OF THE STEERING RACK WHICH THEY REPLACED. IF THIS STEERING FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON THE ROAD AT ANY SPEED SERIOUS DAMAGE AND INJURY INCLUDING LOSS OF LIFE COULD HAVE OCCURRED. AUDI REFUSED THE RETURN THE FAILED STEERING RACK TO ME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *TR

Power Train
Filed Feb 6, 20132,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON A HILL OF MORE THAN 30 DEGREES, THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD 3-5 FEET WHEN GOING INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD 10 FEET, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT DOWN TO PROTECT THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WOULD NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000. UPDATED 03/12/13*LJ

Wheels
Filed Jun 19, 201210,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A6. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD EXPLODED. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE WHEEL RIM WHICH EXHIBITED A HOLE THAT WAS DESCRIBED AS THE SIZE OF A FIST. THE CONTACT CALLED THE POLICE AND ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, WHO REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE TIRE WITH A SPARE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE SPARE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. ...UPDATED 08-10-12 *BF UPDATED 08/15/2012 *JS

20 of 21 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
2011 — this page21300Routine
201017310Routine
200921400Routine
200871410Routine
200753400Routine
200667410Routine
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.