YearToAvoid

2005 Audi A6 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2005 Audi A6 has a complaint index of 90 and ranks 3rd worst out of 21 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Airbags are the top problem area with 43 complaints (47% share) and three related recalls, plus 18 electrical complaints including two fires.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
90/100
#3 of 21 A6 years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
91
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
1
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2017
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
19
17 city / 24 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2005 Audi A6 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags43 (47%)
  2. Electrical System18 (20%)
  3. Brakes12 (13%)
  4. Engine10 (11%)
  5. Steering8 (9%)
  6. Structure & Body4 (4%)
  7. Visibility & Wipers4 (4%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain3 (3%)
  9. Seat Belts2 (2%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report the passenger frontal airbag fails to properly protect occupants, covering only the top portion of the window during a crash.
  • Rear tail lights, including brake, turn signal, and hazard functions, stop illuminating entirely on both sides.
  • The outside mirror tilts down for parking in reverse and does not return to normal viewing position until the car reaches second gear speed.
  • Owners describe the antilock brakes causing a noticeable delay in stopping distance during normal braking on dry roads.
  • Some report the vehicle rolling forward after being placed in park with the engine still running.
  • The EPC warning light illuminates with a loss of power and surging RPMs, sometimes tied to recorded cylinder misfires.
2005 Audi A6 complaints: complaints filed per quarter92005 Q32007 Q32010 Q12012 Q22014 Q42016 Q12017 Q22018 Q3
91 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2005 Q3 to 2022 Q1; peak 2017 Q1 (9).

2005 Audi A6 recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 18V427000Jun 22, 2018Airbags237,947 vehicles

    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 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.

    Risk: 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.

  2. NHTSA 17V032000Jan 11, 2017Airbags33,421 vehicles

    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, 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.

    Risk: 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.

  3. NHTSA 16V382000Jun 1, 2016Airbags194,453 vehicles

    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 (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.

    Risk: 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.

2005 Audi A6 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17 MPG
Highway
24 MPG
Combined
19 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,200
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2005 compared with other A6 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Avoid9091319
2006Caution7067419.5
2007Caution6553420

All Audi A6 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2005 Audi A6 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Audi A6 has a complaint index of 90, the third-worst of 21 model years covered, and carries an Avoid verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Audi A6?
Airbags account for 47% of complaints (43 of 91), followed by the electrical system at 20% (18 complaints) and brakes at 13% (12 complaints).
Does the 2005 Audi A6 have a recall?
Yes, NHTSA lists three recalls for the 2005 Audi A6, all related to the passenger frontal airbag or its inflator.
At what mileage do 2005 Audi A6 problems usually show up?
Median mileage at failure varies by system: airbag complaints cluster around 111,000 miles, electrical issues around 110,500 miles, and brake issues around 64,195 miles.
How does the 2005 Audi A6 compare to other A6 years?
The 2005 model's complaint index of 90 is worse than most other A6 years; only 2019 (100) and 2008 (95) score higher, while years like 2017 and 2018 earn Best verdicts with indexes of 20 and 15.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.