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2006 Audi A3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most A3 years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Audi A3 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 26.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

75 reports with mileage · 48 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

123 reports
69,983 miles · Apr 4, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

2006 AUDI A3 WITH 20T ENGINE. MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED AND CAR DID NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE AND WENT INTO LIMP MODE. TOOK IT TO THE AUDI DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN 2005 AND THEIR ANALYSIS INDICATED A BAD INTAKE CAMSHAFT, BAD HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP ALONG WITH BAD CAM FOLLOWER. QUOTED WORK WA…

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2006 AUDI A3 WITH 20T ENGINE. MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED AND CAR DID NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE AND WENT INTO LIMP MODE. TOOK IT TO THE AUDI DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN 2005 AND THEIR ANALYSIS INDICATED A BAD INTAKE CAMSHAFT, BAD HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP ALONG WITH BAD CAM FOLLOWER. QUOTED WORK WAS $1000 LABOR AND $950 IN PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10394205

Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2011
Exterior Lighting

MY LEFT HEADLIGHT HAS BEEN DIPPING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. SOMETIMES IF I TURN THE CAR OFF THEN ON AGAIN IT WILL FIX ITSELF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10381422

92,100 miles · Jan 31, 2011
Exterior Lighting

2006 AUDI A3 2.0T. ABOUT A MINUTE AFTER TURNING THE HEADLIGHTS ON, THE LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERS AND THE GOES OUT. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE SO I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THERE SEEMS TO BE KNOW WAY TO GET A PERMANENT FIX AND AUDI WILL …

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2006 AUDI A3 2.0T. ABOUT A MINUTE AFTER TURNING THE HEADLIGHTS ON, THE LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERS AND THE GOES OUT. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE SO I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THERE SEEMS TO BE KNOW WAY TO GET A PERMANENT FIX AND AUDI WILL NOT RECALL THE VEHICLE FOR A FIX. EVEN THE DEALERSHIPS HAVE SEVERAL TSB'S ABOUT THE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10379788

70,755 miles · Dec 25, 2010
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

THE VEHICLE STARTED TO STALL AND WAS NOT RESPONSIVE TO ACCELERATION. IT DANGEROUSLY LOST ALMOST ALL OF ITS POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE NEXT DAY IT FAILED TO START. THE PROBLEM IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT AUDI HAS PUBLISHED IN THEIR SERVICE BULLETIN 15 07 02 FOR REPLACEMENT OF INTAKE CAMSHAFT AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PU…

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THE VEHICLE STARTED TO STALL AND WAS NOT RESPONSIVE TO ACCELERATION. IT DANGEROUSLY LOST ALMOST ALL OF ITS POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE NEXT DAY IT FAILED TO START. THE PROBLEM IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT AUDI HAS PUBLISHED IN THEIR SERVICE BULLETIN 15 07 02 FOR REPLACEMENT OF INTAKE CAMSHAFT AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FOLLOWER. AUDI IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING AND WORKMANSHIP. FAILED COMPONENTS: 1) INTAKE CAMSHAFT 2) FOLLOWER AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP

NHTSA ODI #10372950

63,400 miles · Dec 15, 2010
Power Train

AS WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE AUDI A3 TRANSMISSION. THE TRANS STARTED TO LAG THRU THE GEARS ESPECIALLY AROUND 40MPH. ALSO IN REVERSE, YOU WOULD PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL TO GO BACK AND THE ENGINE WOULD REV BUT WOULDN'T MOVE AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WOULD LAUNCH BACKWARDS. VERY DANGEROUS. THE CAR WOULDN'T…

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AS WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE AUDI A3 TRANSMISSION. THE TRANS STARTED TO LAG THRU THE GEARS ESPECIALLY AROUND 40MPH. ALSO IN REVERSE, YOU WOULD PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL TO GO BACK AND THE ENGINE WOULD REV BUT WOULDN'T MOVE AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WOULD LAUNCH BACKWARDS. VERY DANGEROUS. THE CAR WOULDN'T GET OUT OF ITS OWN WAY SOMETIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10370805

80,000 miles · Nov 29, 2010
Suspension

CAR SUSPENSION/SETUP LEADS TO EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR. LATEST SET OF TIRES (FALCON) ARE CUPPED AT 10,000. HAS HAPPENED TO THREE PRIOR SETS OF TIRES (TOTAL OF 4 SETS AT 80,000 MILES). DEALER CLAIMS IT IS THE WRONG TIRE COMPOSITION, BUT OFFERS NO SOLUTION OTHER THAN BUYING THE EXPENSIVE CONTINENTAL TIERS THEY SELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10368191

42,590 miles · Oct 26, 2010
Power Train

THIS IS FOR A 2006 AUDI A3 2.0T WITH THE FSI ENGINE AND THE DSG TRANSMISSION. BOTH MY WIFE AND I EXPERIENCE A FEW DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHERE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED UNEXPECTEDLY AND WE LOST THE ABILITY TO MAKE THE CAR MOVE VIA THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR'S LCD GEAR SELECTOR DISPLAY THEN BEGAN TO FLASH INTERMITTENTLY TO …

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THIS IS FOR A 2006 AUDI A3 2.0T WITH THE FSI ENGINE AND THE DSG TRANSMISSION. BOTH MY WIFE AND I EXPERIENCE A FEW DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHERE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED UNEXPECTEDLY AND WE LOST THE ABILITY TO MAKE THE CAR MOVE VIA THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR'S LCD GEAR SELECTOR DISPLAY THEN BEGAN TO FLASH INTERMITTENTLY TO INDICATE A TRANSMISSION FAILURE OF SOME TYPE. WE DID REGAIN 1ST GEAR AFTER A FEW SECONDS AS WELL BUT THIS PUT US AT DANGER AND IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR A FAMILY CAR WITH ONLY 42590 MILES ON IT. THE PROBLEM THEN RE-OCCURRED WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS ABOUT 3 MORE TIMES AND EVEN FAILED WHILE DRIVING INTO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAD TO CALL A COUPLE OF DEALERSHIPS TO GET A STRAIGHT ANSWER AS WELL ON WHETHER THIS WAS COVERED UNDER ANY KIND OF RECALL WARRANTY AS WELL AS THEY WERE ABOUT TO TRY AND MAKE ME PAY FOR THIS UNTIL I ASKED. THE SERVICE FOR A FAILED DSG TRANSMISSION IS EXORBITANTLY PRICED AND ALSO UNACCEPTABLE FOR A CAR THAT ONLY HAS 42590 MILES ON IT AND IS DRIVEN AS A FAMILY CAR STRICTLY. NOT TO MENTION IT HAS BEEN ROUTINELY SERVICED UNDER WARRANTY AND IS NOT DUE TO ANY NEGLECT OR ABUSE. THE DEALER DID REPLACE THE FAILED MECHATRONIC UNIT AND EVEN NOTED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUIDS WERE ALL AT THE PROPER LEVELS. THE OLD PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR ME TO VIEW AND I DID NEGLECT TO ASK FOR IT AS THAT IS USUALLY MY PRACTICE WHEN GETTING PARTS REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10362365

57,600 miles · Jul 7, 2010
Power Train

I HAVE A 06 AUDI A3 WITH ABOUT 57K MILEAS AND WHILE TRAVELING TO CALIFORNIA, ACCELERATING ON THE FREEWAY I FELT THE CAR HESITATE SEVERAL TIMES AND I LOST ALL CONTROL OF ACCELERATION. MY ONLY ACTION WAS TO STOP PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL AND DOWNSHIFT TO ANOTHER GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341775

72,000 miles · Jun 24, 2010
Power Train

FOR TWO DAYS IN A ROW, I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING DOWN TO FIRST GEAR. IT OCCURS AFTER A SLOW COMMUTE OVER A PROLONGED HILL. ONCE I REACH THE TOP AND ACCELERATE, THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS TO FIRST, RESULTING IN EXTREME RPMS. I HAVE TO SHIFT THE CAR DONE TO LOW GEAR THEN BACK TO D(RIVE) TO RESET…

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FOR TWO DAYS IN A ROW, I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING DOWN TO FIRST GEAR. IT OCCURS AFTER A SLOW COMMUTE OVER A PROLONGED HILL. ONCE I REACH THE TOP AND ACCELERATE, THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS TO FIRST, RESULTING IN EXTREME RPMS. I HAVE TO SHIFT THE CAR DONE TO LOW GEAR THEN BACK TO D(RIVE) TO RESET IT. THE ISSUE SOUNDS EXTREMELY SIMILAR TO ISSUES ENCOUNTERED WITH THE DGS SYSTEM. MY VEHICLE IS A 2006 AND THEREFORE DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THE 2007-2009 VW AND AUDI RECALL. I'M EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE COST I AM ABOUT TO INCUR TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10339931

45,000 miles · May 31, 2010
Suspension

2006 AUDI A3 REAR WHEEL VIBRATION/SUSPENSION "LOOSENESS" AND TIRE CUPPING. EXCESSIVE NOISE AT NORMAL SPEEDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10333927

Official recalls

4

18V082000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 30, 2018

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

16V079000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Feb 10, 2016

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

09V377000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Sep 30, 2009

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.

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.

06V293000 · Air Bags:side/window

Aug 7, 2006

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING PRODUCTION OF THE AIR BAG, EITHER THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG INFLATION MODULE MAY LEAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT INFLATE AS DESIGNED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.