RoadVitals

2006 Audi A4

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.
295
Latest Sep 13, 2022
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.
3
Latest Jun 22, 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.
12
5 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 295 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Audi A4, most frequently naming the exterior lighting, airbags and electrical categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 356 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

3 campaigns cover this model year

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
18V427000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jun 22, 2018
237,947 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 69R7View on NHTSA.gov
17V032000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 11, 2017
33,421 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.View on NHTSA.gov
16V382000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jun 1, 2016
194,453 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 295
Fuel system
Filed Sep 13, 2022

Gas gauge displaying incorrect level of fuel. Oil level notification improperly displaying level of oil.

NHTSA ID
11484161
Incident
Jul 11, 2019
Airbags
Filed Nov 8, 2021
Crash reported

The contact owns a 2006 Audi A4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the wife crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. During the crash the front driver side air bag did not deploy, however, the passenger side airbag did deploy, and both the front and rear driver side and passenger side headrest restraints activated. The contact indicated that no passengers were present in the vehicle during the crash. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not contacted. The local dealer was notified. The failure mileage was 160,000.

NHTSA ID
11439731
Incident
Nov 5, 2021
Mileage
160,000 mi
AirbagsInterior & seatsSeat belts
Filed Sep 28, 2020

PURCHASED THE VEHICLE A FEW MONTHS AGO (JULY OF 2020). BEFORE BUYING IT I WAS TOLD THAT THE WARNING CHIME FOR THE SEATBELT HAD STOPPED WORKING , SO I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL GERMAN AUTO SHOP TO SEE WHAT WOULD NEEDED TO FIX IT. TO MY SURPRISE, IT'S A PART IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT IT'S A COMMON ISSUE AS THESE CARS AGE FOR THE WARNING CHIME TO FAIL THEREFORE NOT NOTIFYING OR WARNING IF THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER BELT IS BUCKLED. WARNING CHIME DOES NOT WORK WHETHER STATIONARY, OR MOVING FOR ANY SEAT IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11361487
Incident
Jul 13, 2020
Mileage
165,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Sep 15, 2020

AUDI ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN THAT I FOUND ON YOUR WEBSITE. THIS BULLETIN WAS REGARDING THE EXACT PARTS THE DEALER (AUDI) IDENTIFIED AS BEING AFFECTED ON MY CAR (HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, CAM FOLLOWER, AND CORRESPONDING INTAKE CAMSHAFT CAM LOBE). THIS BULLETIN (NOT A RECALL, BUT DISTRIBUTED INTERNALLY TO DEALERSHIPS) CLEARLY STATES THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE THAT AFFECTED ALL VIN RANGES OF SPECIFIED AUDI MODELS FROM 2005-2007 THAT INCLUDED MINE. AUDI EXTENDED DRIVETRAIN COVERAGE ON THESE VEHICLES TO 10YR/120K MI. THIS ISSUE CAUSES A WORSENING LOSS OF POWER UPON ACCELERATING (MAKING DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS DANGEROUS) AND EVENTUAL ENGINE FAILURE IF LEFT ALONE. I AM THE 3RD OWNER OF THIS CAR, SO I DID NOT RECEIVE THE INTENDED LETTER FROM AUDI STATING THE SPECIFICS OF THIS COVERAGE EXTENSION. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT ~110K MILES AT THE TIME OF THIS SERVICE (~4-5 DAYS AGO). UPON BRINGING THIS BULLETIN TO THE ATTENTION OF AUDI SERVICE MANAGER, HE DID NOT ASK ME FOR THE BULLETIN NUMBER OR REVISION, HE JUST DENIED COVERING IT VERBALLY SAYING THE COVERAGE WAS "10YR/120K MI, WHICHEVER CAME FIRST" BUT WOULD NOT SEND ME A COPY OF THE EXTENSION LETTER PROVING THIS. THE COST OF REPAIRS RELATED TO THIS ISSUE IS ~$5,600. I OPENED A CASE WITH AUDI OF AMERICA. I PROVIDED THE REQUESTED INFO, AND WAS STILL NOT SENT/EMAILED A COPY OF THIS LETTER, OR PROOF THAT IT WAS SENT TO THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD CASES TAKE UP TO A WEEK TO REVIEW (THEY WOULD NEED ME TO PROVIDE SERVICE RECORDS FOR THE VEHICLE, ETC). I WAS CALLED LESS THAN 24HRS LATER THAT THE CASE WAS DENIED, BEFORE I PROVIDED ANY INFO OR PLED MY CASE THAT A COMPANY WITH THE SLOGAN "TRUTH IN ENGINEERING" SHOULD STAND BEHIND AN ACKNOWLEDGED ENGINEERING FLAW. REPAIRS ARE ~1.5X THE VALUE OF THE CAR. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX THIS AND IT CREATES AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ID
11355075
Incident
Sep 11, 2020
Mileage
110,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 14, 2020
Crash reported1 injury reported

MY PERSONAL AUDI A4 WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION ON AN INNER-CITY ROAD DUE TO LOSS OF FRICTION ON FROZEN ICE. DESPITE THERE ONLY BEING A DRIVER PRESENT IN THE CAR, THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG FROM THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT ACTIVATE WHILE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DID. I HAD ALREADY PREVIOUSLY CHECKED THE TAKATA RECALL, WHICH AFFECT THE EXACT MODEL OF MY VEHICLE, YET WHEN I ENTERED THE VIN, IT DISPLAYED THAT NO RECALLS WERE PRESENT. THE COLLISION HAPPENED AT A SPEED OF LESS THAN 25 MPH, AND THE UNNEEDED DAMAGE COSTS PF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS ALONGSIDE THE HEALTH RISKS OF NOT HAVING AN AIRBAG DEPLOY FOR THE DRIVER HAS LED ME TO FILING THIS COMPLAINT AS IT WAS A VERY UNPLEASANT EXPERIENCE.

NHTSA ID
11349273
Incident
Feb 27, 2020
Mileage
90,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 29, 2019

LEFT HEAD LIGHT FLICKERS AND SHUTS ITSELF OFF AFTER VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AND THE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. THE WARNING DISPLAY ON THE DASHBOARD GIVES A "LEFT HEADLIGHT LEVEL" ERROR CODE.

NHTSA ID
11271751
Incident
Oct 28, 2019
Filed Oct 3, 2019

I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM JOHN AND HE STATED HE DROVE IT APPX 30-40K MILES SINCE HE RECEIVED THE CAR. BUT IN 2016 THE MILES ON THE PINK SLIP SAYS 149214 AND NOW THE MILES ARE AT 150700. I BELIEVE HE TAMPERED WITH THE ODOMETER, TURNED IT OFF AND DROVE THE CAR WITHOUT THE ODOMETER ON. WHEN I ASKED HIM HE SAID IN THE LAST 3- 4 YEARS HE DROVE IT 30-40K MILES. I ASKED HIM WHY IS THE ODOMETER NOT SHOWING THOSE MILES AND HE DIDNT KNOW HOW TO REPLY.

NHTSA ID
11266017
Incident
Sep 28, 2019
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 9, 2019

VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS. WHEN I TURN THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM GOES OUT.

NHTSA ID
11175847
Incident
Feb 7, 2019
Mileage
118,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

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.

DC_Rings_VOL10

AIR BAGS; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Takata recall and 3G turndown

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 A4 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2025000—
2024200—
2023100043.4
2022630—
2021114065.1
20201273048.0
2019101059.4
2018441049.2
2017541040.6
2016110035.5
2015190046.4
2014310032.2
2013240044.8
2012190039.7
2011110027.6
2010640031.8
20091202047.1
20081754050.8
20071963046.5
2006Viewing2953047.0
20052194049.4
20041893150.9
20032104049.2
20021812050.4
20011313157.3
2000965358.5
19991907559.8
19982586559.0
1997988462.0
1996896356.1
1995120—

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.