NHTSA Complaint #10294458 — 2006 AUDI A6

THE 2005-2007 AUDI A6 HAS AN INTEGRATED DASHBOARD SYSTEM THAT CONTROLS AND MANAGES THE AUDIO, NAVIGATION, TELEPHONE AND OTHER NON-SAFETY RELATED FEATURES. THE SAME MODULE CONTROLS THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR-BAG. I RECENTLY HAD THE DISPLAY MODULE FOR THE RADIO/NAVIGATION FAIL. THIS ALSO CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM TO FAIL. SHOULDN'T SAFETY SYSTEMS IN A CAR BE ON SEPARATED FROM THE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS ? THIS WOULD BE SIMILAR TO HAVING YOUR SEATBELTS FAIL IF THE REAR SEAT DVD PLAYER FAILED, OR YOUR DRIVING LIGHTS STOP WORKING IF A VANITY MIRROR BULB BURNED OUT....I HOPE YOU GET MY POINT. IN VIRGINIA, THE STATE I LIVE IN, ALL CARS REQUIRE AN ANNUAL SAFETY CHECK - AIR BAGS INCLUDED. THE FACT THAT A CAR RADIO CAN CAUSE YOUR AIRBAG TO FAIL JUST SEEMS LIKE POOR PLANNING AND PUTTING PASSENGER SAFETY AT RISK. I HAVE OBSERVED ON THE VARIOUS AUDI FORUMS ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS DISPLAY MODULE FAILURE APPEARS TO BE QUITE COMMON. *TR