The Lemon Index
2000
20063rd generation (C6)
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 18,074 in the U.S. in 2005 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 13 complaints in its first 3 years.
13 owner complaints, first 3 years 19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Lexus ES 1632005 BMW 5 Series2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 82
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 9 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 18V427000 (airbags), 17V032000 (airbags) and 16V382000 (airbags) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Audi sent dealers 380 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Cold engine runs rough or stumbles; warm engine may stall when engaging gear and vehicle is…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Audi's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 13 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 12K to 35K miles (20K to 57K km) on the car (9 of all 13 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Right outside mirror tilts down in reverse gear for parking, but does not go back to normal until up to speed and in 2nd gear; result: no mirror whiel entering traffic.
2005 Audi A6 owner · NHTSA complaint 10130345
More owner reports
Water inside car. According to dealer, sun roof drains were clogged. Apparently many owner's were having the same problems. This was not limited to Audi, but all volkswagen products.
NHTSA complaint 10189980
Problems Audi told dealers about
Audi sent dealers 380 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Cold engine runs rough or stumbles; warm engine may stall when engaging gear and vehicle is…
- Due a possible outdated software, on some vehicles, electromechanical parking brake (epb)…
- Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 37 number 11-19 dated January 31, 2011
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Airbags · recall issued 2018
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.
- Airbags · recall issued 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedFuel tank leak2008
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,200 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.1L 6-cyl.
Every Audi A6 year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2005 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/audi-a6/?y=2005" title="Audi A6 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="330" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/audi-a6/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Audi A6 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Audi A6 reliable?
We can't score it: only 18,074 were sold in the U.S. in 2005 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 13 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2005 Audi A6 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are visibility (31%), speed control (23%) and transmission & drivetrain (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Audi A6 have?
3 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Audi A6 get?
19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2005 Audi A6 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 15% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Audi A6 cost in fuel a year?
About $4,200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Audi A6 have?
3.1L 6-cyl.
What Audi A6 year is better than the 2005?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2015 drew the fewest (about a third as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works