AUDI A6 · model year

2011 AUDI A6

23 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011AUDIA6 carries 23 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 A6 is air bags with 12 filings, followed by seats (3) and electrical system (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2011 A6. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

23
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

23 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 - Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: Not Rated/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS12
SEATS3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
WHEELS1
POWER TRAIN1
EQUIPMENT1
STEERING1
ENGINE1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1

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

18V00400004/01/2018

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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

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

20260213ENGINE

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?

20260213UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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?

20260213ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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?

20200929CrashAIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 66,000

20180731AIR BAGS

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.

20180712AIR BAGS

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.

20180628AIR BAGS

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.

20180613AIR BAGS

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.

20170817AIR BAGS

TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL

20170327AIR BAGS

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.

20170120AIR BAGS

"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.

20170119AIR BAGS

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

Mileage: 57,000

20161210AIR BAGS

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.

20161001AIR BAGS

"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?

20160823AIR BAGS

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.

20160819SEATS

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.

Mileage: 65,000

20160710SEATS

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.

20160610SEATS

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.

Mileage: 59,000

20160301EQUIPMENT

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

20160301STEERING

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

Compare 2011AUDIA6 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 AUDI A6 have?
The 2011 AUDI A6 has 23 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2011 AUDI A6?
The 2011 AUDI A6 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of Not Rated/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2011 AUDI A6?
Yes, the 2011 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 2011 AUDI A6?
The most-complained component for the 2011 AUDI A6 is AIR BAGS with 12 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEATS and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2011 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. The 2011 AUDI A6 has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. 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.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. 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.