NHTSA vehicle safety data

2005 Audi A6 Recalls & Complaints

The 2005 Audi A6 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 91 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Audi dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2005 Audi A6. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2005 Audi A6 owner complaints

Owners have filed 91 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Audi A6, describing incidents dated June 21, 2005 to January 25, 2022.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 43 complaints
Electrical System 16 complaints
Service Brakes 8 complaints
Steering 8 complaints
Engine 7 complaints
Exterior Lighting 6 complaints

Of the 91 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 2 a fire; across all 91 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11448802 · Filed January 25, 2022
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…
ODI #11271402 · Filed October 27, 2019
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…
ODI #11229132 · Filed July 3, 2019
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

Read all 91 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2005 Audi A6 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE08-008: FUEL TANK LEAK
Closed May 30, 2008
- Recall 08V-156
- Recall 08V-157

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #18V427000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported June 22, 2018 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 237,947 vehicles

Repair completion: 42.32% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 69R7 · Owners notified June 29, 2018 · Vehicles built July 5, 2004 – March 23, 2011 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #17V032000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 11, 2017 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 33,421 vehicles

Owners notified March 30, 2018 · Vehicles built July 4, 2004 – May 25, 2009 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #16V382000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported June 1, 2016 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 194,453 vehicles

Repair completion: 33.12% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified April 28, 2017 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2005 Audi A6 Sedan 4-DR w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

1 investigation

91 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Audi A6.

Steering

ODI #11448802

Incident: January 25, 2022 · Filed: January 25, 2022

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

ODI #11271402

Incident: May 2, 2019 · Filed: October 27, 2019

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

ODI #11229132

Incident: November 17, 2017 · Filed: July 3, 2019

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

ODI #11155630

Incident: June 1, 2018 · Filed: December 3, 2018

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

ODI #11150870

Incident: October 20, 2018 · Filed: November 11, 2018

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

ODI #11114696

Incident: July 30, 2018 · Filed: July 30, 2018

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

ODI #11102615

Incident: June 19, 2018 · Filed: June 19, 2018

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

ODI #11084416

Incident: March 20, 2017 · Filed: April 10, 2018

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

ODI #11064253

Incident: January 9, 2018 · Filed: January 22, 2018

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

Air Bags

ODI #11057762

Incident: January 1, 2017 · Filed: December 31, 2017

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

Other Audi A6 model years

Check your 2005 Audi A6 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Audi A6 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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