The 2005 Audi A6 has 6 recalls, all centered on the same serious defect: the passenger-side frontal airbag inflator can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
Over time, heat and humidity degrade the airbag's propellant, causing it to fire with excessive force. When that happens, the inflator housing can burst rather than deploy the bag normally, scattering sharp metal pieces toward anyone seated in the front passenger seat. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue, which is why multiple recall campaigns exist for the same underlying problem. Owners in consistently hot and humid climates face elevated risk, as prolonged exposure to those conditions accelerates the propellant breakdown.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during a crash. The inflator's propellant can degrade after prolonged exposure to humidity and temperature changes, causing it to rupture.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module with a new one at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
High heat and humidity can gradually break down the chemical propellant in the passenger front airbag, causing it to deploy with excessive force during a crash. This may damage the airbag or send fragments toward occupants.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the passenger front airbag inflator with a new one.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Passenger frontal airbag propellant can degrade from prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature cycles. A degraded propellant may cause the airbag to deploy with excessive force, potentially damaging the assembly or sending fragments toward occupants.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during deployment due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost. Owners were notified April 28, 2017.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
High heat and humidity can degrade the airbag propellant over time, causing the airbag to deploy with excessive force. This could send fragments toward occupants and damage the airbag assembly, reducing its protective function.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the airbag inflator.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
