Of the 12 airbags complaints filed for the 2011 Audi A6,
here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
0 (0%)
25-50k
0 (0%)
50-75k
2 (100%)
75-100k
0 (0%)
100-125k
0 (0%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
0 (0%)
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted.
Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits
and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
All 3 active airbags recalls on this vehicle are classified critical — based on documented crash, fire, or fatality outcomes in NHTSA's record.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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 Note: This recall has been superseded by 18V427.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented
repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall
(it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service BulletinTRMDMV_NM_AudiMar 2023
In conjunction with the New Mexico DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 389 Audi owners in the State of New Mexico on March 13, 2023.
In conjunction with the Massachusetts DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 2,907 Audi owners in the State of Massachusetts on March 13, 2023.
In conjunction with the Colorado DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 2,174 Audi owners in the State of Colorado on February 13, 2023.
In conjunction with the New York DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 5,165 Audi owners in the State of New York on October 17, 2022.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2011 Audi A6 is subject to multiple Takata airbag recalls (campaigns 18V004000, 18V427000, 16V382000, 26V382) due to a defect where metal fragments could pass through the airbag material during deployment, risking serious injury or death. Audi advised owners not to use the front passenger seat pending repair.
Owners report a systemic parts shortage: Takata replacement airbags remain unavailable from dealers nationwide, with no confirmed supply date from the manufacturer or Audi. Several owners waited months to over a year after recall notification with no repair completion. Dealers confirm parts cannot be sourced; Audi's customer service provides no timeline.
One owner experienced airbag non-deployment in a T-bone collision at 40 mph around 66,000 miles, sustaining serious lower-back injuries requiring surgery; the vehicle was totaled. No warning light had illuminated before the crash.
Owners report the recalled status has tanked resale value and prevented them from selling the vehicle entirely. The inability to use the front passenger seat severely limits the car's utility as a daily driver. Owners express frustration over lack of communication and resolution from Audi and Takata.
Takata airbag defect — potential metal fragment ejection
Takata-manufactured airbags contain a defect that may cause metal fragments to pass through the airbag material upon deployment, creating a risk of serious injury or death to vehicle occupants.
When: Affects all 2011 Audi A6 model year vehicles subject to recall
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag concern noted only via recall notification; no in-service failures reported by complainants
Repairs/costs cited: Recall remedy parts (replacement airbags) unavailable from Takata/Audi supply chain for extended periods, delaying or preventing repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata and Audi issued multiple recall campaigns (18V004000, 18V427000, 16V382000, 26V382) requiring front passenger airbag replacement. Owners instructed not to use front passenger seat pending repair. Parts shortage prevented completion of repairs, with no confirmed availability timeline provided to dealers or owners.
Airbag non-deployment in crash event
Airbags failed to deploy during a significant frontal collision, resulting in serious occupant injury.
When: Approximately 66,000 miles; T-bone crash at 40 mph
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment upon T-bone impact; No warning light illuminated prior to crash; Occupant sustained lower disc injuries requiring surgery and back surgery; Vehicle sustained total loss damage
Codes mentioned:NHTSA Campaign 18V427000
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle deemed total loss; no repair details provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Audi Tacoma dealer and manufacturer notified of failure; vehicle VIN associated with campaign 18V427000.
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting
12 most recent
airbags
· filed 12/10/2016
Recall 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.
airbags
· filed 10/01/2016
"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?
airbags · 66,000 mi
· filed 09/29/2020
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…
airbags
· filed 08/23/2016
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.
airbags
· filed 08/17/2017
Takata airbag recall
airbags
· filed 07/31/2018
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Audi a6. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 18v004000 (air bags) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The dealer (Audi greenwich, 181 west putnam avenue, greenwich, ct 06830) stated that the parts were not available for the repair. The manufacturer was also contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available. The contact had…
airbags
· filed 07/12/2018
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Audi a6. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18v427000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Audi tacoma (1701 alexander ave e, fife, wa 98424, (253) 475-3832) was contacted and confirmed that the part was…
airbags
· filed 06/28/2018
Takata recall- I was first informed of this recall in march even though the recall for my car started in january. Since, I have received no notification from Audi of the status of repair. Given the direction of Audi, we are not able to use the front passenger seat which makes the car unable to accommodate the specified passengers and the value of the car has plunged. In addition, I…
airbags
· filed 06/13/2018
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Audi a6. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18v004000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called Audi bellevue (1533 120th ave ne, bellevue, wa 98005, (425) 249-7388) and was informed that…
airbags
· filed 03/27/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Audi a6. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 156v382000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Had airbags trouble with your 2011 Audi A6?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2011 Audi A6?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 61,500 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
Yes — 3 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Audi/A6.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.