Engine
3.1L 6-cyl
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Air bags
43 complaint records1 crash report
""TAKATA RECALL I HAVE BEEN GETTING THE ROUND AROUND ON REPLACEMENT OF THE INFLATOR FOR THE PAST YEAR. ONE EXCUSE AFTER ANOTHER...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse air bags parts in the directory →
Electrical system
16 complaint records1 fire report
"START ACCESS CONTROL UNIT (J518) MALFUNCTION. CAR WILL NOT START. AUDI DEALER CLAIMS THAT WHOLE STEERING COLUMN MUST BE REPLACED. QUOTE $2,400...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →
Steering
8 complaint records
"TRANSPONDER IN STEERING COLUMN FAILED DISABLING THE IGNITION AND LOCKS STEERING WHEEL. MY CAR WAS STATIONARY EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED. MY FEAR IS THAT THIS COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY ...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse steering parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE08008 opened Jan 2008 | closed May 2008 | Fuel System, Other | FUEL TANK LEAK - led to recall 08V157000 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) IS RECALLING CERTAIN VW PASSAT 4MOTION AND AUDI A6 QUATTRO AND ALLROAD QUATTRO ALL-WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER CARS.VW VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL WERE MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 22, 2000 THROUGH MAY 31, 2005 AND AUDI VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL WERE... |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18V427000 | Air Bags | 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... | Normally free |
| 17V032000 | Air Bags | 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... | Normally free |
| 16V382000 | Air Bags | 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,... | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018342 2018-06-22 | Airbag | 19,649 | On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, could eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger frontal airbag. |
| 2017026 2017-01-13 | Airbag | 18,064 | On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, could eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger frontal airbag. |
| 2016266 2016-05-27 | Airbag | 59 | On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, could eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger frontal airbag. |
| 2008116 2008-04-04 | Fuel System | 3,601 | On certain Audi A6 Quattro and Allroad Quattro, aging of the plastic material in the fuel tank rollover valve, combined with bending stress from the aluminium ventilation line to the rollover valve nipple, may lead to cracking of the... |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| A0023742052680_4 Oct 2023 | Equipment | This bulletin provides information on the additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries. | |
| DC_AudiRingsV12 Apr 2023 | Equipment | Inside the Rings | Volume 12, Spring 2023 | |
| TRMDMV_NM_Audi Mar 2023 | Air Bags | In conjunction with the New Mexico DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 389 Audi owners in the State of New Mexico on March 13, 2023. | |
| TRMDMV_MA_Audi Mar 2023 | Air Bags | In conjunction with the Massachusetts DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 2,907 Audi owners in the State of Massachusetts on March 13, 2023. | |
| TRMDMV_CO_Audi Feb 2023 | Air Bags | In conjunction with the Colorado DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 2,174 Audi owners in the State of Colorado on February 13, 2023. | |
| DC_Rings_VOL10 Feb 2023 | Equipment | Takata recall and 3G turndown | |
| TRMDMV_NY_Audi Oct 2022 | Air Bags | In conjunction with the New York DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 5,165 Audi owners in the State of New York on October 17, 2022. | |
| TRMDPS_SC_Audi Sep 2022 | Unknown Or Other | In conjunction with the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Audi is sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 1,121 Audi owners in the state of South Carolina on September 19, 2022. | |
| TRMDMV_PR_Audi Jul 2022 | Equipment | In conjunction with the Georgia Department of Revenue - Motor Vehicle Division and Department of Driver Services, Audi sent Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 565 Audi owners in the State of Puerto Rico on July 25, 2022. | |
| TRMDMV_VA_Audi Jul 2022 | Equipment | In conjunction with the Virginia DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 2,026 Audi owners in the State of Virginia on July 21, 2022. | |
| TRMDMV_GA_Audi Jun 2022 | Air Bags | In conjunction with the Georgia Department of Revenue - Motor Vehicle Division and Department of Driver Services, Audi sent Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 2,616 Audi owners in the State of Georgia on June 22, 2022. | |
| SM 48-2022 Jun 2022 | Equipment | This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided. | |
| TRMDMV_CA_Audi May 2022 | Air Bags | In conjunction with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Audi sent Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 12,349 Audi owners in the State of California on April 29, 2022. | |
| AWA 22-04 Apr 2022 | Air Bags | This Document informs dealers on the new Takata warranty extension for 2005-2017 A3, A4 Avant, A4 Sedan, S4 Sedan, S4, Avant, A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A5 Cabriolet, S5 Cabriolet, A6 Avant, A6 Sedan, Q5, R8 Coupe, R8 Spyder, RS4 Cabriolet, RS4 Sedan, S6 Sedan, S6 Sedan, TT... | |
| TRMALEA_AL_Audi Mar 2022 | Air Bags | In conjunction with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Audi is sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 939 Audi owners in the State of Alabama on March 23, 2022. | |
| A9122752024323_9 Feb 2022 | Electrical System | This bulletin contains technical information regarding when the parking aid sporadically warns of obstacles that don't exist or it is inoperative/constant warning. | |
| TRMDPSSC_Audi Jan 2022 | Air Bags | In conjunction with the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Audi is sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 1,290 Audi owners in the state of South Carolina on January 24, 2022. | |
| A4021312024318_1 Dec 2021 | Wheels | This technical service bulletin provides instructions for correcting a clicking sound from the wheel bearing(s). | |
| TRMDMVID_Audi Aug 2021 | Air Bags | In conjunction with the Idaho DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 688 Audi owners in the State of Idaho on August 30, 2021. | |
| A0021482021205_6 Jun 2021 | Equipment | This informational bulletin explains how to order replacement VIN plates, Safety Certification Labels, etc. | |
| TRMDMVNY_Audi Jun 2021 | Air Bags | In conjunction with the New York DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 6,957 Audi owners in the State of New York on June 21, 2021. | |
| TRMTXDMV_Audi May 2021 | Air Bags | In conjunction with the Texas DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 7,185 Audi owners in the State of Texas on May 17, 2021. | |
| A4021242016453_4 Apr 2021 | Suspension | This bulletin contains instructions for determining if bushings need to be replaced. | |
| A9121642024323_7 Jan 2021 | Parking Brake | This bulletin contains technical information regarding when the parking aid sporadically warns of obstacles that don't exist or it is inoperative/constant warning. | |
| SM C-2020 Dec 2020 | Equipment | This special notice is to inform dealers to return the part numbers listed (State of California only). | |
| A1720112060750_1 Oct 2020 | Engine And Engine Cooling | This bulletin contains instructions for using the UV additive to find engine oil leaks. | |
| 21AUTIRECHAINS Sep 2020 | Tires | Added new graphic to reflect where to find MY 21 information | |
| TRMMIDOS_Audi Aug 2020 | Air Bags | In conjunction with the Michigan Department of State, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 3,000 Audi owners in the State of Michigan on August 10, 2020. | |
| Audi Part Labels Aug 2020 | Equipment | Recall Reminder Part Labels | |
| TRMTX_Audi Jul 2020 | Air Bags | In conjunction with the County of Fort Bend, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recalll reminder notices to approximately 370 Audi owners in the State of Texas on July 28, 2020. |
Showing 30 of 365 distinct bulletins on file for this vehicle.
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Watch the airbag warning light through a full key cycle.It should light on start and go out within seconds. A light that stays on, or never lights at all, means the system needs attention. Run the VIN for inflator recalls specifically.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Drive one straight highway stretch and one slow parking lot.Wander or a shimmy over bumps at speed, and heavy or dropped assist at low speed, are the two faces of this vehicle's steering cluster. A clunk on turn-in points at the linkage.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 3 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Audi A6 →