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2006 Audi A4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most A4 years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Audi A4 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 76.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

194 reports with mileage · 101 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.

  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 159 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 73 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports4 fire reports5 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

21 reports
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75,000 miles · Jun 7, 2018
Electrical System

THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT KEEPS FLICKERING. IT WILL TURN OFF SOMETIMES WHEN USING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, BUT OTHER THAN THAT, THE HEADLIGHT WORKS PERFECTLY FINE. WHEN IT FLICKERS, AN INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT ACTIVATES ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIRING PROBLEM. BOTH HEADLIGHTS WERE CHANGED AND BRAND NEW WHEN THE CAR WAS PURCHA…

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THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT KEEPS FLICKERING. IT WILL TURN OFF SOMETIMES WHEN USING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, BUT OTHER THAN THAT, THE HEADLIGHT WORKS PERFECTLY FINE. WHEN IT FLICKERS, AN INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT ACTIVATES ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIRING PROBLEM. BOTH HEADLIGHTS WERE CHANGED AND BRAND NEW WHEN THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. TWO YEARS LATER, THIS FLICKERING BEGAN. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE FLICKERING OF THE HEADLIGHT IS TO COMPLETELY TURN OFF THE HEADLIGHTS FOR A FEW SECONDS, THEN TURN THEM BACK ON. EVERYTHING IS FINE AFTER THAT. PLEASE RECALL THIS ISSUE. I HAVE READ MANY POSTS ONLINE WITH OTHER AUDI A4 OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #11100414

12,000 miles · Sep 11, 2015
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

I HAVE THE A4 W/ 3.1 LITER V6. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE, TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED BUMPY LURCHING START FROM STOP. AUDI DIAGNOSE SAID THAT'S SYMPTOMATIC OF THIS TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE COMBINATION. NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO PREVENT. WITHIN 1ST YEAR, THE CAR WOULD STALL AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN, NECESSITATING A RE-START.…

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I HAVE THE A4 W/ 3.1 LITER V6. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE, TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED BUMPY LURCHING START FROM STOP. AUDI DIAGNOSE SAID THAT'S SYMPTOMATIC OF THIS TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE COMBINATION. NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO PREVENT. WITHIN 1ST YEAR, THE CAR WOULD STALL AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN, NECESSITATING A RE-START. SOMETIMES UPON START, AND MOST NOTABLY (AND THE EXAMPLE CITED ABOVE) WHEN DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED. (I SUSPECT THE STALL PROBLEMS DESCRIBED RELATES TO THE LURCHING TRANSMISSION PROBLEM). ON THIS INCIDENT THERE WAS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK TO AUDI, THEY COULDN'T IDENTIFY PROBLEM. I TOOK TO AN INDEPENDENT -- THEY DETERMINED PROBLEM AS FUEL PUMP. REPLACED FUEL PUMP. MOST RECENTLY THE CAR STALLED WHEN INITIATING A LEFT TURN FROM A SLOW 10-15 MPH ROLL. AS I SLIGHTLY DEPRESSED ACCELERATOR, CAR STALLED IN MIDDLE OF LEFT TURN -- HAD TO RE-START MID-TURN TO RESTORE POWER STEERING AND FINISH TURN (TURN WAS DOWN A SLIGHT INCLINE SO CAR WAS ABLE TO COAST). THIS HAPPENED AROUND 2/15. I TOOK IT TO AUDI, THE FOLLOWING DAY. THEY SAID BECAUSE THERE WAS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THEY COULDN'T DIAGNOSE. I CALLED AUDI USA -- THEY OFFERED NO SOLUTION OR DATABASE RESEARCH OF PROBLEM W/ OTHER AUDIES. A SIMILAR OCCURRENCE WAS 8/14 WHEN I EXITED FREEWAY AND AS I ROLLED TO A STOP, @10-15 MPH THE CAR STALLED. HAD TO BE RESTARTED. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I MAY HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER BUT DON'T RECALL. MY CONCERN IS THE SAFETY RISK IF THIS OCCURS WITH MY WIFE DRIVING AND AN ONCOMING CAR IS UNABLE TO STOP IF THE VEHICLE STALLS IN SIMILAR MANNER IN THE MIDDLE OF A LEFT TURN. COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #10763136

68,000 miles · Nov 19, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

BOTH HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT AT RANDOM TIMES. SOMETIMES IT SAYS RIGHT DIPPED HEADLIGHT AND SOMETIMES LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT AND SOMETIMES BOTH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10659496

94,780 miles · Oct 7, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting

WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON ONE RANDOMLY TURNS OFF AND THEN I GET A DISPLAY IN THE DASH THAT'S SAYS "LEFT HEADLIGHT DIPPED" THIS ALSO HAPPENS TO THE RIGHT SIDE. I HAVE TO TURN THE KNOB KN THE DASHBOARD ON THE OFF POSITION AND TURN THEM BACK ON THE ON POSITION AND THEY START WORKING AGAIN. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND…

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WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON ONE RANDOMLY TURNS OFF AND THEN I GET A DISPLAY IN THE DASH THAT'S SAYS "LEFT HEADLIGHT DIPPED" THIS ALSO HAPPENS TO THE RIGHT SIDE. I HAVE TO TURN THE KNOB KN THE DASHBOARD ON THE OFF POSITION AND TURN THEM BACK ON THE ON POSITION AND THEY START WORKING AGAIN. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND UNSAFE. PLEASE HELP. ALSO MY ENGINE IS BURNING OIL VERY FAST I JUST HAD AN OIL CHANGE AND DROVE THE CAR FOR 80 MILES AND THE DIP STICK ALREADY SHOWS HALF WAY FULL. I HAD THE HEAD GASKET AND VACUUM PUMP GASKET REPLACED BUT IT STILL HASN'T FIXED THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641913

95,000 miles · Aug 15, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

AUGUST 2014, DRIVING AT NIGHT, HIGHWAY SPEEDS (65MPH+) BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED AND WENT OUT, NO ILLUMINATION. TOOK SEVERAL TRIES TO RESET BY LIGHT CONTROL SWITCH. WOULD RESET, THEN FLICKER AND BOTH HEADLIGHTS OUT. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND ABLE TO GET THERE OK. VEHICLE IS IN AT SERVICE FOR …

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AUGUST 2014, DRIVING AT NIGHT, HIGHWAY SPEEDS (65MPH+) BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED AND WENT OUT, NO ILLUMINATION. TOOK SEVERAL TRIES TO RESET BY LIGHT CONTROL SWITCH. WOULD RESET, THEN FLICKER AND BOTH HEADLIGHTS OUT. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND ABLE TO GET THERE OK. VEHICLE IS IN AT SERVICE FOR REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10622450

98,000 miles · Apr 24, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

WHILST DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN A DOWNPOUR ESP AND EPC LIGHTS LIT UP AND THE CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE, DISABLING THE MAJORITY OF ENGINE POWER. THIS HAS HAPPENED PRIOR ONLY IN WET RAINY CONDITIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10584695

50,000 miles · Feb 20, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE LEFT HEADLIGHT DIPS OCCASIONALLY, WITHOUT WARNING, RANDOMLY. THEN YOU HAVE TO TURN OFF THE LIGHTS TO HOPEFULLY CORRECT/RESET THE HEADLIGHT. IT'S CLEARLY A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10565102

54,500 miles · Nov 27, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I WAS DRIVING ON I-45 S TO HOUSTON AND AT 9 PM, I TRIED TURNING MY FRONT FOG LIGHT ON AS IT WAS GETTING FOGGY OCCASIONALLY. I WAS AT 75 MPH SPEED ON RIGHT LANE, ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL LIGHTS WENT OUT, I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE MEDIAN AND AFTER PLAYING AROUND SOME KIND OF LIGHT CAME BACK, DROVE TO NEAREST EXIT TO GAS STATION …

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I WAS DRIVING ON I-45 S TO HOUSTON AND AT 9 PM, I TRIED TURNING MY FRONT FOG LIGHT ON AS IT WAS GETTING FOGGY OCCASIONALLY. I WAS AT 75 MPH SPEED ON RIGHT LANE, ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL LIGHTS WENT OUT, I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE MEDIAN AND AFTER PLAYING AROUND SOME KIND OF LIGHT CAME BACK, DROVE TO NEAREST EXIT TO GAS STATION ABOUT A MILE FURTHER AND CHECKED ALL LIGHTS, IT WAS WORKING FINE NOW. I HAVE READ SIMILAR KIND OF COMPLAINT HERE AND NOT SURE IF IT IS GETTING ATTENTION. DOES DEATH HAS TO OCCUR BEFORE NHSTA AND AUDI LISTEN TO THIS PROBLEM. 75 MPH IN INTERSTATE AT NIGHT WITHOUT LIGHTS ON, CAN YOU IMAGINE MY SITUATION. IT CAN EASILY CAUSE DEATH AND DAMAGE. FIX THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS NOT BULB ISSUE, IT IS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553964

Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS KEEP FLICKERING ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING.AUDI: THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE CONDITIONS THAT BOTH OCCUR IN VEHICLES WITH BI-XENON, WITH OR WITHOUT ADAPTIVE LIGHTING (AFS): ONE XENON LIGHT ON EITHER SIDE SPORADICALLY FLICKERS OR FLASHES AND GOES OUT. WHEN HEADLAMPS ARE TURNED OFF AND ON AGAIN OR AT IGNITION CYCLE, T…

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THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS KEEP FLICKERING ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING.AUDI: THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE CONDITIONS THAT BOTH OCCUR IN VEHICLES WITH BI-XENON, WITH OR WITHOUT ADAPTIVE LIGHTING (AFS): ONE XENON LIGHT ON EITHER SIDE SPORADICALLY FLICKERS OR FLASHES AND GOES OUT. WHEN HEADLAMPS ARE TURNED OFF AND ON AGAIN OR AT IGNITION CYCLE, THE HEADLAMPS MAY FUNCTION PROPERLY OR EXHIBIT THE SAME BEHAVIOR; ONE XENON LIGHT ON ONE SIDE FAILS PERMANENTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10545755

85,000 miles · May 29, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

UPON INITIAL START OF THE VEHICLE, JUST ABOUT EVERY START, THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WILL FLICKER AND THEN SHUT OFF AND SHOW A LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT ON THE DISPLAY. SHUTTING OFF THE LIGHTS AND TURNING THEM BACK ON ALLOWS THE BULB TO TURN ON AGAIN, BUT THE FLICKERING KEEPS HAPPENING UNTIL THE LIGHT WARMS UP THEN IT STOPS. THE BULB WILL …

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UPON INITIAL START OF THE VEHICLE, JUST ABOUT EVERY START, THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WILL FLICKER AND THEN SHUT OFF AND SHOW A LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT ON THE DISPLAY. SHUTTING OFF THE LIGHTS AND TURNING THEM BACK ON ALLOWS THE BULB TO TURN ON AGAIN, BUT THE FLICKERING KEEPS HAPPENING UNTIL THE LIGHT WARMS UP THEN IT STOPS. THE BULB WILL REPEATEDLY FLICKER AND SHUT OFF CAUSING A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514179

Official recalls

3

18V427000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jun 22, 2018

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

17V032000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 11, 2017

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

16V382000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jun 1, 2016

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

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.