2005 Audi A6 Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026

Good

Ranks 12th of 22 A6 years we score.

Owner complaints: 91; 38 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 28.1; 18,874 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.84×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 18; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 3
NHTSA crash rating: –

← 2004 A6 2006 A6 →

Should You Buy the 2005 Audi A6?

Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2005 Audi A6 is 72 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported fewer problems than for the average car of the same age. It ranks 12th of the 22 A6 years we score.

The most reported problem is the parking brake, mostly not releasing (7 of 91 complaints). Owners also complain about the steering and the ABS. 18 of the 91 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 3 recalls. Audi also offers two warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the transmission and airbags. For comparison, the 2006 scores 76.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask an Audi dealer about warranty extension AWA-13-04 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Good reliability score of 72
Fewer problems than the average car its age
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
2 Audi warranty extensions may cover repairs

Cons

Parking brake: not releasing7 complaints
Steering: not releasing7 complaints
ABS: damage6 complaints
First year of a new generation

How the 2005 A6 Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	0.79×	−15
Everyday problems	0.96×	−7
Problems in the last two years	Not counted	–
Recalls	0.96×	−6
Score		72

Problems in the last two years are not counted for the 2005 A6. If it were exactly average, its 18,874 cars would draw about 0.5 complaints in two years at this age, too few to compare. Their 30% moves to serious and everyday problems, which count for 80% of this score instead of 50%.

What Owners Report

We read all 91 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Audi A6, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Parking brake: not releasing
7 complaints (8%)
Not releasing, warning lights and a feature that stopped working. 2 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 66,000 miles.
Steering: not releasing
7 complaints (8%)
Not releasing, a failure that needed a new part and a stored fault code. 5 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start. Median mileage when it started: about 130,000 miles.
ABS: damage
6 complaints (7%)
Damage, a failure and locking up. 1 of these 6 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of braking. Median mileage when it started: about 100,000 miles.
Wiring, fuses or body control module: rust or corrosion
5 complaints (5%)
Rust or corrosion, damage and problems that come and go. Median mileage when it started: about 62,000 miles.
Screen and audio: stopped working
4 complaints (4%)
A feature that stopped working. Median mileage when it started: about 109,000 miles.
Airbag warning light
3 complaints (3%)
Warning lights and problems that come and go.
Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
3 complaints (3%)
Water leaking in. Median mileage when it started: about 106,000 miles.
Seat belts: sticking or stiffness
3 complaints (3%)
Sticking or stiffness, a failure and a stored fault code.
Accelerator pedal: sticking or stiffness
2 complaints (2%)
Sticking or stiffness. Both describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking.
Access start control unit: the car not starting
2 complaints (2%)
The car not starting. Both describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start.
Phone and navigation: stopped working
2 complaints (2%)
A feature that stopped working.
Side or curtain airbags failure
2 complaints (2%)
A failure and damage. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a crash.
Stability control (ESC): stopped working
2 complaints (2%)
A feature that stopped working.
Car not starting (cause not stated)
2 complaints (2%)
The car not starting. Both describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start.
Sunroof drains (water leak): water leaking in
2 complaints (2%)
Water leaking in.

Show 1 more problem

Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
2 complaints (2%)
Sudden acceleration. Both describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking.

Reported Once (21)

Show the 21 problems reported once

A/C: stopped working
AWD or rear differential: stopped working
Brakes: loss of braking
Climate controls: stopped working
Several warning lights at once
Engine: stalling
Engine (misfire codes): rough running or misfires
Engine sensors or computer failure
Headlights: warning lights
Ignition or power mode (won't shut off): not shutting off
Ignition or push-button start: not releasing
Loss of power (cause not stated)
Interior lights: works on and off
Trunk latch: not closing or latching
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
Power windows or regulator: stopped working
Sunroof: stopped working
Timing chain or camshaft: parts breaking or coming apart
Tires: a leak
Shifter or park: the car rolling away
Windshield wipers: the system acting on its own

How the 2005 Audi A6 Compares With Other Years

The other A6 years of the 6th generation (C6), 2005 to 2011, and the years just before and after it.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2012	Good	70	0.88×	28.4	8	Cooling system: a leak
2011	Good	78	0.52×	15.2	3	Seats: parts breaking or coming apart
2010	Excellent	81	0.40×	11.6	3	Cooling system: a leak
2009	Good	79	0.45×	11.7	4	–
2008	Good	78	0.51×	18.0	4	Headlights: works on and off
2007	Good	74	0.72×	22.3	4	Steering: sticking or stiffness
2006	Good	76	0.60×	18.8	4	Steering: locking up
2005 This year	Good	72	0.84×	28.1	3	Parking brake: not releasing
2004	Good	77	0.51×	15.8	4	Fuel leak

See every A6 year

2005 Audi A6 Recalls

Three recalls cover the 2005 Audi A6. The most recent was issued in June 2018: “Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 18V427000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 22, 2018. By the third quarter of 2019, 41% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, January 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 17V032000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 11, 2017. By the second quarter of 2018, 17% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, June 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 16V382000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 1, 2016. By the second quarter of 2018, 33% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

2005 Audi A6 Warranty Extensions and Programs

Audi has two warranty extensions for the 2005 Audi A6, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the transmission and airbags. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which an Audi dealer can check.

Warranty extensionAudi AWA-13-04
CVT transmission and control module failures
The problem:
The bulletin names no symptom. Under a class action settlement, Audi extended the warranty on parts of the factory CVT transmission.
The fix:
An Audi dealer diagnoses and repairs or replaces the covered CVT parts. Which parts are covered depends on the model year.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2002 to 2006 A4 and A6 with the factory CVT. Control module: 2003 to 2006. Valve body: 2003 and 2004. Rest of the transmission: 2002 to 2004, only with proof of the owner's manual transmission maintenance.
Coverage:
10 years or 100,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-22-04
Takata driver or passenger airbag inflator failure
The problem:
The driver or passenger Takata airbag inflator can fail from a defect. This extension is for cars in the Takata inflator recall.
The fix:
An Audi dealer diagnoses the inflators and replaces a failed inflator for free. Inoperable or totaled cars and salvage, rebuilt or flood titles are not covered.
Who qualifies:
Cars in the Takata recall. After the main term, coverage lasts 75,000 miles from the recall repair or a time limit, whichever is greater: November 10, 2023, or 2 years if repaired after November 10, 2021.
Coverage:
10 years from the recall repair or 150,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first. Then a further period applies.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)

2005 Audi A6 NHTSA Investigations

NHTSA has opened one investigation that covers the 2005 Audi A6. It led to a recall.

Fuel leaking from the top of the fuel tank
Led to a recall
NHTSA looked into fuel leaking from the top of the tank on 2001-2005 Audi A6 Quattro and Allroad Quattro cars. It had 17 complaints since 2006. A material change in the rollover valve and an inflexible aluminum vent line could crack a valve fitting. Recall 08V-157 has Audi reinforce the valve with epoxy adhesive. NHTSA closed the investigation.
NHTSA PE08008 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Jan 31, 2008 to May 30, 2008

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2005 A6, from its three recalls, two Audi warranty extensions that may still apply and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA 18V427000
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, January 2017 NHTSA 17V032000
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, June 2016 NHTSA 16V382000

Ask an Audi Dealer

Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

AWA-13-04: CVT transmission and control module failures
AWA-22-04: takata driver or passenger airbag inflator failure

On the Test Drive

Brake firmly from a moderate speed. A soft, hard or pulsing pedal, or a brake warning light, is a warning sign.
Turn the wheel fully left and right, parked and at low speed. Sticking, notches or stiffness are warning signs.
Test the screen, audio and phone connection for freezing or rebooting.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Parking brake
Steering
ABS
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All A6 Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Audi may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.