Audi A6 · model year

2005 Audi A6

119 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 3 recall campaigns listed for this cohort. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

Complaints
119
Recalls
3

The verdict

The 2005 Audi A6 posts above-average complaint volume among its own model-year siblings.

19th pctile
complaint volume, own model years
3
recall campaigns

The 2005AudiA6 carries 119 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 3 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2005 A6 is air bags with 43 filings, followed by electrical system (16) and steering (8). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause. This cohort has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns listed below. Enter a VIN in NHTSA's official recall lookup to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2005 A6. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.

119
Complaints
1
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
2005 Audi A6

PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.

NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.

Total Complaints

119 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS43
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM16
STEERING8
EXTERIOR LIGHTING6
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)5
SERVICE BRAKES5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
ENGINE4
PARKING BRAKE3
STRUCTURE3
VISIBILITY2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
WHEELS2
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR1

Recalls (3)

18V42700022/06/2018

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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

17V03200011/01/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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, N

16V38200001/06/2016

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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, th

Recent Complaints

20220125STEERING

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

20191027AIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 82,717

20190703WHEELS

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

20181203AIR BAGS

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.

20181111STEERING

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.

Mileage: 145,800

20180730AIR BAGS

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.

20180619AIR BAGS

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.

20180410AIR BAGS

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.

20180122AIR BAGS

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

20171231AIR BAGS

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

20171215AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL- NO SCHEDULED REPAIR CONFIRMED.

20171120AIR BAGS

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.

20171120AIR BAGS

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.

20171103AIR BAGS

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

20171026AIR BAGS

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

20170807AIR BAGS

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.

20170713AIR BAGS

"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.

Mileage: 142,000

20170626AIR BAGS

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

20170620AIR BAGS

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.

20170615AIR BAGS

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

Compare 2005AudiA6 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Vehicle Safety Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 Audi A6 have?
The 2005 Audi A6 has 119 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 Audi A6?
Yes, the 2005 Audi A6 has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Audi A6?
The most-complained component for the 2005 Audi A6 is AIR BAGS with 43 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and STEERING.
Is the 2005 Audi A6 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2005 Audi A6; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.