Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Audi A6 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Takata recall: Audi sent recall notice July 2016 for passenger side airbag, said do not use passenger seat, said replacement parts not availsable. Also said my vehicle at highest risk since purchased and garaged in miami, florida, high heat and humidity. Six months later, January 2017, still no replacement parts available. Unable to sell vehicle until defective airbag replaced. Audi can not provide any estimate for when replacement parts will be available. What can NHTSA do to require Audi to make immediate replacement?
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 Audi A6. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V385000 (air bags); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 148,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Months ago I received a postcard telling me that my Audi was on the recall list for the Takata recall but that no replacements parts were available. Ever since then, I have not been able to use my car's front seat and I live in fear that the bag could go off. Why do I have to risk my life, and my son's life, with no end in sight? I am not wealthy. I have to continue to use this car. Why is there no resolution? Will there ever be any, short of a worst case scenario?
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 Audi A6. The contact received notification of 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 manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Updated 04/05/17 lj updated 08/14/2017
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.
"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.
Can't use the passenger seat of the vehicle. This is not a valid solution. When I purchased the car, 6 years ago, it indicated front driver and passenger airbags that functioned. Find a solution with Audi for this problem. You can't even sell the car.
I received a letter from Takata starting there was a problem with the airbag possible deploying/not deploying and their was not a fix at this time. It also started not to have anyone ride in front passenger set. I contacted the provided number and let them know that I have four kids and this was my only car and I felt unsafe driving the car. Therefore I asked them to provide me with another safe fixed car or I can rent one until they ackware the replacement parts to fix my vehicle and they pay for it. I was astonished that they told me that if I elect to get a rental or didn't drive my car due to the issue that it would be my desision and they are not responsible for any additional charges occurred. Also started that if I elected to drive the car with my kids it is my desision. When I noted this was my only vehicle and means of transportation they acted as oh well. …
I reached out to Audi when I received an email stating recalls for my car. I spoke to 2 Audi reps at there call center whom both stated to me that I was wrong about the email I received and to check this site. Once I have it showed and stated the same recall that I received an email about. But once I stated that the dealer May not be aware of the scheduling of this but both reps state that the site backed by auto trader and kbb was incorrect. It bothers me to see that this company is not aware of there own defects which makes me wonder what else is extremely wrong with the car--------- also after seeing the recall my passenger light for the airbags started to flicker when no one was in the car, which lead to some other electrical problem with my car. My whole mmi interface malfunctioned to where its only a black screen
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.
Related recalls
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.
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.
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, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey,…
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.
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, the Northern Mariana Islands…
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.
Airbag complaints in other A6 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2005 Audi A6?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 Audi A6, 47% of the model year's 91 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2005 Audi A6 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-427 (inflator module, Jun 22, 2018); NHTSA recall 17V-032 (inflator module, Jan 11, 2017); NHTSA recall 16V-382 (inflator module, Jun 1, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Audi A6 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 111,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.