The 2005 Audi A6 has 6 recalls, all centered on the same critical defect: the passenger-side frontal airbag inflator can rupture and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
All six recalls stem from the same underlying problem with the Takata-supplied passenger frontal airbag inflator. Over time, exposure to heat and humidity causes the propellant inside the inflator to degrade. When the airbag deploys, the inflator can burst with far more force than intended, spraying metal fragments toward anyone seated in the front passenger seat. Some filings specifically cover vehicles registered or sold in high-humidity regions such as Florida, Hawaii, Texas, and several U.S. territories, where heat and moisture accelerate the degradation more quickly, though the defect is not limited to those areas. Prior repair attempts under earlier campaigns did not fully resolve the issue for all affected vehicles, which is why multiple filings exist for the same root problem. This is one of the most serious recurring defects in automotive history, and the 2005 A6 remains part of the affected population across all of these campaigns.
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.
