RoadVitals

2006 Audi S4

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.
30
Latest May 16, 2019
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.
2
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 30 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Audi S4, most frequently naming the exterior lighting, airbags and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 231 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

  • Exterior lighting2259.5%
  • Airbags718.9%
  • Electrical410.8%
  • Visibility12.7%
  • Other / unspecified12.7%
  • Steering12.7%
  • Transmission12.7%

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

2 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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 30
Exterior lighting
Filed May 16, 2019

PASSENGER HEADLIGHT STARTS ON. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I GET A HEADLIGHT DIPPED ERROR AND THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT TURNS OFF.

NHTSA ID
11207965
Incident
May 14, 2019
Mileage
145,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jan 17, 2019

AS MANY OTHERS HAVE NOTICED ON THE B7 MODELS OF AUDI'S. THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WILL FLICKER AND GO OUT AT RANDOM TIMES, IT IS NOT A BULB PROBLEM IT HAS BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES. IT IS CONCERNING WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AND RANDOMLY MY HEADLIGHT WILL SHUT OFF. SOMETIMES WHEN I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND BACK IN IT WILL RETURN. THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THESE HEADLIGHTS AS I HAVE READ IN OTHER PLACES. VERY DANGEROUS AND CONCERNING THEY WANT TO CHARGE 1000+ DOLLARS FOR EVERY CUSTOMER TO PUT IN A NEW HEADLIGHT. IT IS THEIR DUTY TO ENSURE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS.

NHTSA ID
11170511
Incident
Jul 1, 2018
Airbags
Filed Jul 13, 2018

TAKATA RECALL RECALL ISSUED JUNE '18, LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY STILL DON'T HAVE PARTS TO COMPLETE RECALL WORK.

NHTSA ID
11111196
Incident
Jul 13, 2018
Airbags
Filed Nov 5, 2017

TAKATA RECALL NHSTA RECALL HV032, AUDI RECALL 69P6, JAN '17, LOCAL DEALER SAYS CANNOT COMPLETE RECALL WORK.

NHTSA ID
11043412
Incident
Nov 5, 2017
Airbags
Filed Oct 31, 2017

TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED MY FIRST NOTICE OF THIS RECALL ON 1/17/17. IT IS CURRENTLY 10/31/17 WITH THE REPAIR NOT YET AVAILABLE. I'VE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES TO NO AVAIL. I WAS AT DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY AND THEY TOLD ME THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS. WHEN WILL THIS HIGHLY DANGEROUS RECALL REPAIR BE AVAILABLE? THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID
11041664
Incident
Jan 17, 2017
Airbags
Filed Jun 29, 2017

TAKATA RECALL. NOTIFIED 1 YEAR AGO AND I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED TO HAVE THE AIR BAG REPLACED. CALLED FOR AN UPDATE A FEW MONTHS AGO AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS FOR MY VEHICLE YET.

NHTSA ID
11002423
Incident
Jun 20, 2016
Airbags
Filed Nov 22, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 AUDI S4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (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. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10927530
Incident
Nov 4, 2016
Airbags
Filed Oct 21, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 AUDI S4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE A RENTAL VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10917890
Incident
Oct 21, 2016

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_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_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_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 S4 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2025000—
2024000—
2023000—
2022110—
2021240—
2020163041.2
2019210—
2018720—
2017000—
2016000—
2015110—
2014171031.6
2013321033.0
2012221040.2
2011261038.1
2010600036.5
2009020—
2008420—
2007132048.4
2006Viewing302040.3
2005432045.0
2004291034.7
2003110—
2002221032.7
2001871039.2
20001431039.6
1999000—
1998000—
1996010—
1995121—
1994721—
1993162145.8
1992521—
1991010—
1990010—
1989010—

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.