VehicleVerdict

2005 Audi A6 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 119 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.7 times the median A6 year — the 2005 model ranks #6 of 33 A6 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 43 reports (36% of the total).

119

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other A6 years?

See all A6 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Audi A6 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags4336%
Electrical System2218%
Brakes119%
Steering87%
Engine76%
Visibility & Wipers65%
Lighting65%
Speed Control43%
Body & Structure33%
Transmission33%
Seat Belts22%
Tires & Wheels22%
Latches & Locks11%
Other11%

Does the 2005 Audi A6 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V427000AirbagsJune 22, 2018 · 237,947 units

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.

Consequence

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.

17V032000AirbagsJanuary 11, 2017 · 33,421 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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. 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.

16V382000AirbagsJune 1, 2016 · 194,453 units

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

2005 AUDI A6 AIR BAGS ARE TOO SHORT AND CAN NOT PROTECT PASSENGER. CONSUMER WAS TAKING TO THE HOSPITAL FOR X-RAYS. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG ONLY PROTECTED THE TOP SIX INCHES OF THE WINDOW AND AS A RESULT, HER HEAD HIT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW DURING THE ACCIDENT. *JB

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 24, 2005 · crash

I PURCHASED A 2005 AUDI A6 3.2 QUATTRO IN AUGUST OF 2008 WITH 37,000 MILES. IN DECEMBER 2008 I TOOK THE CAR TO THE AUDI DEALER IN PASADENA BECAUSE THE LEFT REAR TAILLIGHT, LEFT REAR REVERSING LIGHT, AND LEFT REAR FOG LIGHT WERE SHORTING OUT OFF AND ON. SOMETIMES THEY WOULD WORK, SOMETIMES THEY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 8, 2010 · fire

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 85 MPH THE ANTILOCK BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THERE WAS A CONSIDERABLE DELAY BEFORE THE VEHICLE REACHED A COMPLETE STOP. THIS OCCURRED DURING NORMAL BRAKING AND ON A DRY ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 6, 2006

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · October 20, 2018

DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE EXPRESS WAY AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THE CAR STALLED UNTIL IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE ESP LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. RESTARTED THE CAR AND PROBLEM CONTINUE 4 TIMES. AFTER THE 4TH ATTEMPT, I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER WAITING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 11, 2012

2005 Audi A6 — common questions

Is the 2005 Audi A6 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 119 complaints put the 2005 model at #6 of 33 A6 years. It is one of the A6 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 A6 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (43 complaints), electrical system (22 complaints), brakes (11 complaints).

Does the 2005 Audi A6 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Audi A6. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Audi A6 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Audi A6 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the A6 years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2019, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2002, 2012, 2003, 2006, 2013, 2008, 2016, 1996. The cleanest record among A6 years belongs to 2024.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.