2005 Audi A6: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 91 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (45% of complaints); the 2004 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2018
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2022
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2019
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2018
“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”Owner report · Wheels · Nov 2017
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2017
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2017
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2005 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact A6 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Audi A6 reliable?
NHTSA has 91 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Audi A6. The most complained-about area is air bags (45% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Audi A6 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 90,000 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Audi A6 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.