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Audi A6 no deployment problems

15 of the 1,664 owner complaints about the Audi A6 describe airbags did not deploy in a crash, most of them for the 1999 model year.

owner complaints
15
worst model year
1999
typical mileage
75,000
Is there a fix? There are 13 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2026
    1
  • 2015
    1
  • 2012
    1
  • 2011
    1
  • 2010
    1
  • 2004
    1
  • 2003
    1
  • 2002
    1
  • 2001
    2
  • 2000
    1
  • 1999
    4

What owners say

Filed Oct 16, 2026 · Airbags, Electrical · 21,002 miles · TX · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2026 Audi A6. The contact stated that while driving in stop-and-go traffic, a second vehicle reversed and struck the front end of the contact's vehicle. During the crash, the driver's side front air bag failed to deploy. The contact sustained a neck injury that required medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene. Following the crash, several safety-related failures occurred while operating the vehicle, including an illuminated air bag warning light, an "SOS system not available" warning message, a malfunctioning seat belt restraint that failed to properly secure the driver, and a trunk lid that failed to latch properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failures. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 21,002.

Filed Jul 24, 2026 · Airbags · 129,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

The contact's sister owns a 2015 Audi A6. The contact stated that while his sister was driving 35 MPH, the vehicle crashed into the rear of a Toyota 4Runner. The driver sustained injuries to the chest and neck and had back pain. Medical attention was not provided. The front bumper and frame, and hood were damaged. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. There was no Police report filed. The drivers exchanged information. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

Filed Apr 1, 2021 · Airbags · 85,000 miles · MO · crash · 3 injuries

On february 11, 2021, mr. Travis was traveling on I-70 in vandalia illinois when he was rear ended at high speeds by mr. Free. Mr. Travis' 2002 audi a6 sustained serious damage but the airbags did not deploy. Mr. Travis sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash.

Filed Sep 29, 2020 · Airbags · 66,000 miles · WA · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2011 audi a6. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, when he crashed (t-boned) another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact sustained injuries on his 2 lower disc and required surgery and also had back surgery. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The insurance adjuster deemed the vehicle was loss. The contact called local dealer audi tacoma located at 1701-b alexander ave e, fife, wa 98424, (253) 475-3832 and was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of failure. The VIN was associated to the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v427000 (air bags). The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

Filed May 4, 2016 · Airbags · 75,000 miles · AL

Reference the federal safety agency campaign number 15v823000, my audi a6 falls within the model year as well as the as built time line. I've just been diagnosed by my local audi dealer that my pods unit is bad. My audi does have heated seats so it fits the problem description as released by audi as well as the federal safety agency but due to the fact my VIN doesn't pull up this campaign. I believe that there are more audi's affected within that model year as well as build time frame that could be affected by this. Even though my VIN might not pull it up if something were to happen there could be possible legal actions if the air bags didn't deploy properly.

Filed Apr 22, 2016 · Airbags, Seat belts · 75,000 miles · NJ · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 audi a6. While driving 20 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front passenger side of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver's seat belt unlatched independently. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed from the scene. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000.

Filed Jan 20, 2011 · Airbags, Brakes · 190,000 miles · VA · crash · 1 injury

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 audi a6 avant. The contact stated that the check engine light had been illuminating intermittently. The dealer stated that the contact should not worry about the light. While driving 65 MPH, the contact swerved to miss a deer and lost control of the vehicle. It began to rock back and forth and the brakes were inoperative. The contact hit guardrails on both the driver and passenger sides. The vehicle then tipped on its side and went into a ravine. The engine was still running and the wheels were still spinning. The air bags did not deploy. The contact suffered injuries to the collar bone, ribs, a concussion, and lost teeth. The dealer stated that there could have been a problem with the computer. The vehicle was destroyed. The current and failure mileages were approximately 190,000. Updated 04/08/11

Filed Feb 12, 2007 · Acceleration · PA · crash · 1 injury

Tl*- the contact stated that the 1999 audi a6 quattro had problems with acceleration. The vehicle accelerated on 02/05/07. The contact's wife was driving at 65 MPH when the vehicle accelerated on its own. The contact stated the only way the vehicle stopped was to push the brake pedal with both feet. The contact called the dealership and had an appointment set up for today 02/12/07. It happened again on 02/09/07. While driving the vehicle, and she was at a complete stop made a right turn and slowly accelerated to 45 MPH. The road surface was completely dry, the vehicle accelerated unexpectedly. The gas pedal went to the floor by itself without her pushing it to the floor. The driver applied the brakes with the right foot and the vehicle didn't stop. Then tried to pull the accelerator pedal up with the oe to stop the acceleration. She tried to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road, but the vehicle didn't decrease in speed. While trying to get the vehicle to come to a stop she then hit a tree. She hit the tree off the center of the front of the vehicle, and airbag didn't deploy, but the seat belt did restrain her. The contacts wife sustained neck and sternum injuries. And was taken to the hospital by an ambulance. There was a police report. The current mileage was 14000.

Filed Oct 9, 2006 · Airbags · 61,370 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

(1) unknown. (2) audi a6 air bags failed to inflate at time of impact. Driver was injured. (3) not applicable, car is a total loss.

Filed Mar 23, 2005 · Airbags, Body · 54,262 miles · NJ · crash · 1 injury

The consumer was going about 50 MPH when she was involved in an accident. Vehicle a pulled in front of vehicle b and stopped short, forcing vehicle b to rear end vehicle a. In the process, the air bags failed to deploy. Owner contacted the manufacturer and was told that the vehicle was not hit at the right angle to activate the air bags. *ak the emergency lights flashed intermittently and the next day the vehicle would not start, the power unit beneath the floor board was soaking wet and had shorted out, the console under the gear shift was so hot that it could not be touched, there was an oil leak. *sc

Related recalls

Air bagsReported March 10, 2021 · 3,421 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi RS6 Avant, RS7, 2020-2021 A6 Allroad, S6 Sedan, S7, 2019-2021 A6 Sedan, and A7 vehicles. The score line on the passenger air bag may not have been manufactured correctly.
Risk
An incorrectly manufactured air bag may not deploy properly, and could also eject plastic debris into the passenger compartment, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the passenger air bag score line, and repair it as necessary, free of charge. The recall begin March 26, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Audi's number for this recall is 70i2.

Recall number 21V159000 · Recall details

Air bags: sensor: side impactReported December 2, 2020 · 166 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A6 Allroad, Q7, RS6 and RS7 vehicles. The electrical connector can detach from the door crash sensor in either of the front doors.
Risk
A detached connector can delay the activation of the restraint systems, including the side air bag, curtain air bag and/or seat-belt pretensioners during a side impact crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and as necessary, replace the crash sensors in both front doors, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BM.

Recall number 20V749000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported May 13, 2020 · 153 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Audi A6, A6 Allroad and A7 vehicles. The passenger air bag may not properly deploy through the instrument panel tear seam.
Risk
In the event of a crash, the passenger air bag may not properly deploy and inflate, and small plastic parts may enter the cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the instrument panels, free of charge. The recall began June 24, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑822‑2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 70H6.

Recall number 20V274000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported January 31, 2020 · 106,857 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 TT Roadster, 2000 TT Coupe, 1999 Audi A8, 1998-2000 Audi A6, and 1999-2000 Audi A4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) that do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, possibly causing the air bag to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag may not properly protect the occupant, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator when the parts become available, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed September 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69BT.

Recall number 20V056000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported June 22, 2018 · 237,947 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 18V427000 · Recall details

Air bags: sensor: occupant classificationReported June 4, 2018 · 139,249 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Audi S6 and S7, 2012-2018 A7 and A6 Sedan, and 2014-2018 RS7 vehicles equipped with basic seats (with or without heating). Stress or wear of the body-sensing mat within the front passenger seat may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) control module to malfunction.
Risk
If the PODS module malfunctions, the front passenger air bag may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a PODS system repair kit, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D5.

Recall number 18V370000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported January 4, 2018 · 10,166 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 18V004000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported January 11, 2017 · 33,421 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the 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 2005-2008 Audi A4 Avant, A4 Sedan, A6 Sedan, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan vehicles, 2007-2008 A4 Cabriolet, RS4 Sedan, S4 Cabriolet and S6 Sedan vehicles, and 2006-2008 A6 Avant and 2008 RS4 Cabriolet vehicles originally sold, or ever 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 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.
Risk
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. The recall began March 30, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall number 18V427.

Recall number 17V032000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported June 1, 2016 · 194,453 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 16V382000 · Recall details

Air bags: sensor: occupant classificationReported December 8, 2015 · 21,074 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Audi A6 vehicles manufactured March 28, 2011, to March 25, 2013, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles manufactured January 25, 2011, to March 19, 2013. In vehicles with heated and cooled seats, the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS), used to enable the front passenger air bags, may malfunction and prevent the passenger-side air bags from deploying in a crash.
Risk
An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of occupant injury in a crash.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and Audi dealers will install a PODS system repair kit, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D1.

Recall number 15V823000 · Recall details

Questions about the Audi A6 no deployment

Which Audi A6 years have airbags did not deploy in a crash problems?

The model years with the most reports are 1999 (4 complaints), 2001 (2 complaints) and 2000 (1 complaints).

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