RoadVitals

2006 Audi A3

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
123
Latest Aug 29, 2024
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Jan 30, 2018
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 123 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Audi A3, most frequently naming the airbags, powertrain (other) and transmission categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 349 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
18V082000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 30, 2018
162,782 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 69R6View on NHTSA.gov
16V079000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Feb 10, 2016
151,767 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2006 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons, 2005-2013 Audi A3, and 2006-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.View on NHTSA.gov
09V377000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Sep 30, 2009
10,200 units potentially affected
The defect: VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 AUDI A3, TT, AND TT ROADSTER PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 29, 2005 AND AUGUST 26, 2009. THE CLOSING FORCE OF AN INTERNAL SPRING OF THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE IS NOT ADEQUATE ENOUGH TO HOLD THE VALVE CLOSED UNDER EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS POSSIBLY ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK.
The risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AUDI DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE WITH AN IMPROVED VALVE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-253-2834.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INCManufacturer number 20Q3/J3View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 123
Airbags
Filed Aug 29, 2024

The contact owns a 2006 Audi A3. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, he heard an abnormal rattling sound coming from the passenger’s side of the dashboard where the air bag was located. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer and was informed that parts were not available for repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V082000 (Air Bags); for the driver's side air bag, but the passenger’s side air bag was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

NHTSA ID
11611582
Incident
Aug 28, 2024
Mileage
145,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 12, 2024
Crash reported1 injury reported

I totaled my car about two weeks ago. And none of my passenger side airbags deployed ( front , front side, nor rear passenger side)

NHTSA ID
11571428
Incident
Feb 3, 2024
Airbags
Filed Feb 12, 2024
Crash reported

I totaled my car about two weeks ago, and none of my passenger side airbags deployed. (Front passenger, front side, or Rear passenger side)

NHTSA ID
11571416
Incident
Feb 3, 2024
Fuel system
Filed Apr 9, 2021

OWNER OF AUDI A3 2006 2.0TFSI. RECENTLY GOT THE PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT INDICATES THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM LEAK. THE CAR WAS ORIGINALLY CREATED FOR US, BUT ITS NOW ACTIVE IN EUROPE. ALREADY SEEN SOME CAR REPAIR CENTERS, BUT NONE COULD FIX THE ENGINE CHECK PROBLEM. TODAY, I READ INFORMATION FROM OFFICIAL AUDI SITES. "FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY RECALL' ENGINE CHECK LIGHT SHOWED UP WHEN I WAS DRIVING HIGHWAY, FIRST, COMPUTER TOLD ME TO CLOSE FUEL CAP, WHICH WAS FULLY CLOSED, AFTER FUEL CAP LOGO WENT AWAY, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STARTED TO BLINKING AND THE MOTOR STARTED TO SHAKE BADLY AND I NEEDED TO DO EMERGENCY STOP. I THINK ITS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AROUND WHEN ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STILL SHOWS UP.

NHTSA ID
11407165
Incident
Jan 13, 2021
Mileage
147,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 1, 2021

REPLACED AIRBAGS BY AUDI IN LATHAM, NEW YORK AND CHARGED OVER $176 FOR DIAGNOSTIC FOR BAD AIRBAGS AND WARNING LIGHTS FOR AIRBAGS. BAD AIRBARGS INSTALLED DURING RECALL. AUDI NEVER REPLACED THE BAD AIRBAGS. VERY BAD.

NHTSA ID
11405956
Incident
Jan 22, 2020
Mileage
159,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 23, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 18V082000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (UNKNOWN DEALER INFORMATION) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
11301401
Incident
Aug 19, 2010
Airbags
Filed Jan 21, 2020

REPLACED AIRBAGS BY AUDI ARE OFF AND DEFECTIVE. DEALER REQUIRES HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO INSPECT BAD AIRBAG CHANGED BY RECALL OF AIRBAGS. AIRBAG OFF WARNING LIGHT FROM REPLACED AIRBAG CHANGED BY DEALER. INCREDIBLE, REPLACED RECALLED AIRBAGS TO HAVE BAD AIRBAGS INSTALLED AND BE CHARGED HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS BY AUDI DEALER IN LATHAM NEW YORK.

NHTSA ID
11300838
Incident
Jan 21, 2020
Mileage
159,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 18, 2019

TAKATA RECALL I HAVE BEEN CALLING THE AUDI DEALER FOR OVER 4 MONTHS ABOUT THIS AIR BAG. THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT THEY ARE WAITING FOR PARTS FROM TAKATA, NOTHING MUCH ELSE THAT THEY CAN DO. I NEED TO KNOW THAT IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN THAT I CAN DEPEND ON THE AIR BAG IN MY CAR TO HELP KEEP ME SAFE, AT THIS POINT I AM VERY WORRIED.

NHTSA ID
11180903
Incident
Oct 1, 2018

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

A9423672071954_1

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

This bulletin provides information pertaining to when there are foreign objects inside of a headlight or taillight.

A0023742052680_4

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This bulletin provides information on the additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries.

DC_AudiRingsV12

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Inside the Rings | Volume 12, Spring 2023

TRMDMV_MA_Audi

AIR BAGS

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.

TRMDMV_NM_Audi

AIR BAGS

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.

TRMDMV_CO_Audi

AIR BAGS

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.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Audi A3 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2025500—
2024100—
2023620—
2022960—
2021000—
2020163154.1
2019103149.2
2018332152.4
2017442152.4
2016813159.3
2015892152.4
2014000—
2013203046.0
2012434256.7
2011434251.0
2010505453.1
2009475259.5
2008433045.9
2007523041.8
2006Viewing1234045.0
2005010—
2004600—
2003200—
2002000—
2001100—
2000000—
1999000—
1998000—
1997000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.