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U.S. public vehicle records

2005 Audi A6 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

91 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

86,359 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 52 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 43 of 91 complaints (47.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior1819.8%
Electrical and battery issues99.9%
Steering behavior99.9%
Transmission and shifting33.3%
Engine operation22.2%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Air Bags
43
Electrical System
16
Steering
8
Exterior Lighting
6
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
5
Service Brakes
5
Engine
4
Vehicle Speed Control
4
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags43
Electrical System16
Steering8
Exterior Lighting6
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)5
Service Brakes5
Engine4
Vehicle Speed Control4

Air Bags: 43; Electrical System: 16; Steering: 8; Exterior Lighting: 6; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 5; Service Brakes: 5; Engine: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
5
25,000 to 49,999
7
50,000 to 74,999
12
75,000 to 99,999
4
100,000 to 149,999
22
150,000 and above
2
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0005
25,000 to 49,9997
50,000 to 74,99912
75,000 to 99,9994
100,000 to 149,99922
150,000 and above2

Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 22; 150,000 and above: 2

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (22). 39 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2005
2
2006
4
2007
5
2008
2
2009
5
2010
4
2011
1
2012
4
2013
4
2014
3
2015
9
2016
13
2017
26
2018
6
2019
2
2022
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20052
20064
20075
20082
20095
20104
20111
20124
20134
20143
20159
201613
201726
20186
20192
20221

2005: 2; 2006: 4; 2007: 5; 2008: 2; 2009: 5; 2010: 4; 2011: 1; 2012: 4; 2013: 4; 2014: 3; 2015: 9; 2016: 13; 2017: 26; 2018: 6; 2019: 2; 2022: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 18 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10149301 · 2006-02-02 (February 2, 2006)

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 DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10149301 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10153237 · 2006-03-20 (March 20, 2006)

ON THE NIGHT IN QUESTION, THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY WENT INTO 'FULL THROTTLE MODE'. THE CAR RACED AHEAD AND WAS BROUGHT TO A STOP ONLY WITH EXTREMELY HEAVY APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHILE STOPPED AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE, THE ENGINE PULLED STRONGLY AT NEARLY 3000 RPM. I SHIFTED THE CAR INTO PARK AND THE ENGINE INSTANTLY RACED TO REDLINE (7500 RPM). I DEPRESSED THE 'ENGINE STOP' BUTTON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THIS, NEEDLESS TO SAY, SCATTERED ANY NEARBY PEDESTRIANS---THANKFULLY. I MOVED THE SHIFTER TO '…

Owner-reported narrative. 14,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10153237 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10295533 · 2009-12-13 (December 13, 2009)

ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTION LIGHT IS ON...TURNS OUT THE WIRING IS CORRODED INSIDE THE SWITCH. I'M THE ONLY OWNER OF THE CAR AND THERE WAS NO WATER DAMAGE OR LIQUID SPILLED. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10295533 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10300425 · 2010-01-20 (January 20, 2010)

DURING A RECENT RAIN STORM I WENT TO START THE CAR TO DISCOVER 6 INCHES OF WATER IN THE BACK SEAT. REAR AIRBAG AND SOME ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD BEEN FRIED. WHEN I CONTACTED AUDI THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE THAT IT WAS MY FAULT. THAT A LINE UNDER THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT HAD BEEN CLOGGED BY PINE NEEDLES CAUSING THE WATER TO FLOW INTO THE CAR THROUGH THE AIRCONDITIONING SYSTEM. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY AUDI. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10300425 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10715163 · 2015-05-07 (May 7, 2015)

HAVING ALL THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE STEERING COLUMN LISTED BELOW, WHY HAS THIS ISSUE NOT BEEN MADE A RECALL ISSUE???? THERE IS AN ENTIRE PAGE OF THIS PROBLEM AT THE FOLLOWING AUDI FORUMS.COM LINK HTTP://WWW.AUDIFORUMS.COM/FORUM/AUDI-A6-9/2005-AUDI-A6-WONT-START-BUT-MMI-LIGHTS-SEAT-MEMORY-ETC-WORKS-FINEFACEBOOK-TWITTER-163846/ NOTE: THE ISSUES LISTED IN SERVICE BULLETIN NO: TSB-48-14-62 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10056441 COMPLAINT FILED 10/29/2014 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10651089 AND COMPLAINT FILED 04/27/2012 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10456711. WHY HASN'T TH…

Owner-reported narrative. 126,948 miles reported. Look up ODI 10715163 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10760470 · 2015-08-31 (August 31, 2015)

ENGINEERING FLAW LEAD TO EXTRAORDINARY EXPENSE REPLACING THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN INSTEAD OF JUST THE MODULE THAT FAILED. DOING SOME REVIEWS ON-LINE - SEEMS TO BE A WELL KNOWN AND COMMON PROBLEM BUT AUDI DOES NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT - HTTP://WWW.AUDIWORLD.COM/FORUMS/A6-S6-C6-PLATFORM-DISCUSSION-58/TRANSPONDER-STEERING-COLUMN-2834070/ MILLAGE LISTED AS APPROX SINCE CAR IS IN THE SHOP NOW.

Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10760470 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10171848 · 2006-10-25 (October 25, 2006)

AFTER SHOPPING, I WAS DRIVING MY SISTER BACK TO HER HOUSE, PULL INTO THE DRIVEWAY, PUT THE CAR INTO PARK, (HEAR IT CLICK ) ENGINE STILL RUNNING, STARTED TO UNLOAD THE PACKAGES, WHEN THE CAR STARTED MOVING FORWARD, WHEN I GOT INTO THE FRONT SEAT,I PLACE MY HAND ON THE TRANSMISSION STICK, TO MAKE SURE IT WAS STILL LOCKED, AND AT THAT POINT THE FRONT OF THE CAR, RAISED UP, AND ACCELERATED, HITTING A TREE IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE, IF IT WASN'T FOR THAT TREE, THE CAR WOULD HAVE HIT THE HOUSE. CALL AUDI THE NEXT DAY, DURING THE NEXT WEEK, AUDI TECHNIC…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10171848 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10444942 · 2012-01-23 (January 23, 2012)

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 SEVERAL MINUTES, I RESTARTED THE CAR. THE CAR STILL FEEL AT TIMES AS IF ITS GOING TO STALL. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 101,092 miles reported. Look up ODI 10444942 at NHTSA ↗