IllustrationSTILL NO DATE WHEN THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL WILL BE SERVICED FOR MY VEHICLE.
2011 Audi A6
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2011 Audi A6 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 35.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all A6 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 7 of 21 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seats. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
21 reportsRECALL HAS NOT BEEN PERFORMED-RECALL 6902. NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE FROM COMPANY. NHTSA# 26V382. CAN'T SELL IT. AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. PASSENGERS DEAD OR INJURED COULD SUE ALL. NEEDS RESOLUTION IMMEDIATELY.
"TAKATA RECALL" AUDI NOTIFIED US IN JULY. A CALL TO AUDI'S 800 # RESULTED IN NO INFORMATION AS TO WHEN REPAIRS WILL BE MADE. CAN SOMEONE GIVE US THE DATE WHEN PARTS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE DEALER TO MAKE NECESSARY REPAIRS? IS THERE A DIFFERENT MANUFACTURE'S PRODUCT THAT AUDI COULD INSTALL TO REPLACE THE TAKATA PRODUCT?
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT E…
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
THE HARD PLASTIC SEAT BACK OF THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS COME LOOSE. THE ADHESION SYSTEM HAS FAILED. THERE HAS BEEN VERY LIGHT USE OF ALL SEATS OTHER THAN THE DRIVER'S SEAT.
PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS ARE FALLING APART. THE SEATS ARE PANELED AND SEPARATING SEEN BY REAR SEAT PASSENGERS ....THE SEATS ARE A DEFECT AND SAFETY CONCERN FOR ALL PASSENGERS. THE MECHANISMS OF THE HEATED SEATS ARE EXPOSED AND THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE SEAT TOGETHER IS AN ADHESIVE THAT'S NOT STICKING OR EVEN STICKY. SEATS B…
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PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS ARE FALLING APART. THE SEATS ARE PANELED AND SEPARATING SEEN BY REAR SEAT PASSENGERS ....THE SEATS ARE A DEFECT AND SAFETY CONCERN FOR ALL PASSENGERS. THE MECHANISMS OF THE HEATED SEATS ARE EXPOSED AND THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE SEAT TOGETHER IS AN ADHESIVE THAT'S NOT STICKING OR EVEN STICKY. SEATS BACK PANELS ARE LEANING ON PASSENGER WHILE DRIVING.
REAR SEATBACKS (RIGID PLASTIC) IS OPEN AT THE TOP ON PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE SEATS. THIS IS AN AUDI DESIGN DEFECT AND SAFETY CONCERN TO REAR SEAT PASSENGERS IN AN ACCIDENT. VELCRO ADHESIVE DOES NOT WORK. THE CONNECTORS AT THE TOP WERE EITHER MISSING OR NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY.
AUDI 2011 A6, VIN [XXX] HAD A CATASTROPHIC STEERING FAILURE ON FEB 24, 2016. FORTUNATELY THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE FRONT WHEELS AND STEERING WHEEL FROZE. AUDI AND THE LOCAL DEALER DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AS A RANDOM FAILURE OF THE STEERING RACK WHICH THEY REPLACED. IF THIS STEERING FAILURE HAD OCCURRE…
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AUDI 2011 A6, VIN [XXX] HAD A CATASTROPHIC STEERING FAILURE ON FEB 24, 2016. FORTUNATELY THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE FRONT WHEELS AND STEERING WHEEL FROZE. AUDI AND THE LOCAL DEALER DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AS A RANDOM FAILURE OF THE STEERING RACK WHICH THEY REPLACED. IF THIS STEERING FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON THE ROAD AT ANY SPEED SERIOUS DAMAGE AND INJURY INCLUDING LOSS OF LIFE COULD HAVE OCCURRED. AUDI REFUSED THE RETURN THE FAILED STEERING RACK TO ME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON A HILL OF MORE THAN 30 DEGREES, THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD 3-5 FEET WHEN GOING INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD 10 FEET, THE VEHICLE WOULD S…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON A HILL OF MORE THAN 30 DEGREES, THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD 3-5 FEET WHEN GOING INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD 10 FEET, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT DOWN TO PROTECT THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WOULD NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000. UPDATED 03/12/13*LJ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A6. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD EXPLODED. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE WHEEL RIM WHICH EXHIBITED A HOLE THAT WAS DESCRIBED AS THE SIZE OF A FIST. THE CONTACT CALLED THE POLIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A6. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD EXPLODED. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE WHEEL RIM WHICH EXHIBITED A HOLE THAT WAS DESCRIBED AS THE SIZE OF A FIST. THE CONTACT CALLED THE POLICE AND ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, WHO REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE TIRE WITH A SPARE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE SPARE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. ...UPDATED 08-10-12 *BF UPDATED 08/15/2012 *JS
Official recalls
318V427000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jun 22, 2018
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 & remedy
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.
18V004000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jan 4, 2018
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Audi A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles, ever registered in the states of 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." Additionally, unless included in "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet vehicles, and 2009-2011 Audi A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles registered in the states of 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 or "Zone C." 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 & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other 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. Audi mailed an interim owner notification March 02, 2018. When parts to perform the recall repair become available, Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in June 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69U1. Note: This recall has been superseded by 18V427.
16V382000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jun 1, 2016
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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.