IllustrationLEFT 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.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all A4 years →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
130–25K
5425–50K
6550–75K
3875–100K
20100–150K
4150K+
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
Exterior Lighting complaints
159 reportsVEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS. WHEN I TURN THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM GOES OUT.
THE HEADLIGHTS WILL FLICKER ON AND OFF, AND HAVE TO BE MANUALLY TURNED OFF AND TURNED BACK ON. REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS OF LIGHTS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. COMPLETE REMOVAL OF THE XENON BALLAST AND SEALING THE BALLAST SEEMED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, AND SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE BALLAST THAT CAUSES MOISTURE …
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THE HEADLIGHTS WILL FLICKER ON AND OFF, AND HAVE TO BE MANUALLY TURNED OFF AND TURNED BACK ON. REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS OF LIGHTS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. COMPLETE REMOVAL OF THE XENON BALLAST AND SEALING THE BALLAST SEEMED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, AND SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE BALLAST THAT CAUSES MOISTURE TO INVADE, AND SHORT THE HEADLIGHTS OUT.
THE LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERS AND TURNS OFF. CHANGING THE BULB DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND NEITHER DID CHANGING THE BALLAST. I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A SETTLED CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT HOWEVER THEY SAID THAT THE LAWSUIT EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR HEADLIGHTS TO 5 YEARS. THE LAWSUIT WAS SETTLED IN 2013 AND MY CAR IS A 2006 MODEL SO I AM NO…
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THE LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERS AND TURNS OFF. CHANGING THE BULB DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND NEITHER DID CHANGING THE BALLAST. I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A SETTLED CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT HOWEVER THEY SAID THAT THE LAWSUIT EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR HEADLIGHTS TO 5 YEARS. THE LAWSUIT WAS SETTLED IN 2013 AND MY CAR IS A 2006 MODEL SO I AM NOT SURE HOW IT COULD EVER HELP ME.
2006 AUDI A4 QUATTRO, A VERY ANNOYING SITUATION IT ALSO AFFECTS SAFETY WHILE DRIVING IN DARK; I IGNORED IT FOR FEW MONTHS AS IT GOT WORST DECIDED TO TAKE IT IN. THEY SUGGESTED TO REPLACE BOTH IGNITERS (XENON BALLAST) AND BULBS. MY AUDI DEALER SAID THAT AUDI KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT -- CHANG…
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2006 AUDI A4 QUATTRO, A VERY ANNOYING SITUATION IT ALSO AFFECTS SAFETY WHILE DRIVING IN DARK; I IGNORED IT FOR FEW MONTHS AS IT GOT WORST DECIDED TO TAKE IT IN. THEY SUGGESTED TO REPLACE BOTH IGNITERS (XENON BALLAST) AND BULBS. MY AUDI DEALER SAID THAT AUDI KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT -- CHANGING THE LIGHT BULB DOESN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. SINCE MY CAR WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY IT WOULD BE ABOUT $1600. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. IT HAS BEEN OCCURRING A LOT RECENTLY WITH THE COLD WEATHER. I CAN'T TELL FOR SURE WHETHER IT IS TEMPERATURE RELATED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND MOST IMPORTANTLY A MAJOR SAFETY
I GET A "RIGHT DIPPED HEADLIGHT" MESSAGE AND MY RIGHT HEADLIGHT GOES OUT. I CAN CORRECT THE ISSUE BY TURNING THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON BUT THIS IS NOT SAFE AFTER DARK. THE CAR HAS BEEN DOING THIS WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY ESPECIALLY OVER THE PAST YEAR. IT OCCURS MORE WHEN IT'S RAINING AND MORE AFTER DARK-WHEN YOU MOST NE…
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I GET A "RIGHT DIPPED HEADLIGHT" MESSAGE AND MY RIGHT HEADLIGHT GOES OUT. I CAN CORRECT THE ISSUE BY TURNING THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON BUT THIS IS NOT SAFE AFTER DARK. THE CAR HAS BEEN DOING THIS WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY ESPECIALLY OVER THE PAST YEAR. IT OCCURS MORE WHEN IT'S RAINING AND MORE AFTER DARK-WHEN YOU MOST NEED THE HEADLIGHTS. IT WILL COST ME ABOUT $1600 TO GET THE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED BUT APPARENTLY THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WILL FIX THE ISSUE. I HAVE IN NO WAY DAMAGED THE HEADLIGHTS. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF THIS CAR. THIS SITUATION HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
THE LEFT HEADLIGHT DROPS AND GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY
WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT RIGHT LOW BEAM WILL FLICKER AND THEN GO OUT. I GET A WARNING ICON REFERENCING "RIGHT DIPPED HEADLIGHT". IF I TURN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH FROM AUTO POSITION TO OFF POSITION AND THEN TURN BACK TO AUTO, THE LIGHT WILL COME BACK ON. IT WILL THEN STAY ON FOR A WHILE AND TYPICALLY GOES OUT AGAIN AFTER SOME RANDO…
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WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT RIGHT LOW BEAM WILL FLICKER AND THEN GO OUT. I GET A WARNING ICON REFERENCING "RIGHT DIPPED HEADLIGHT". IF I TURN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH FROM AUTO POSITION TO OFF POSITION AND THEN TURN BACK TO AUTO, THE LIGHT WILL COME BACK ON. IT WILL THEN STAY ON FOR A WHILE AND TYPICALLY GOES OUT AGAIN AFTER SOME RANDOM TIME PERIOD CAUSING ME TO REPEAT THE PROCESS. I DON'T LIKE DOING THIS TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS AT NIGHT SINCE I HAVE TO DISABLE MY HEADLIGHTS TO GET EVERYTHING WORKING AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE AUDI DEALER AND THEY DID THEIR GUIDED FAULT TESTS AND FOUND NO FAULTS. THEY "BELIEVE" THE IGNITER IS FAULTY WHICH IS A $625 PART PLUS LABOR TO REPLACE. I DIDN'T GO AHEAD WITH THEIR SUGGESTION SINCE THEY COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. I'M REPORTING THIS SINCE I BELIEVE A NUMBER OF AUDI OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND AUDI DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE A BULLETIN OUT ON THIS TO LOCAL DEALERSHIPS AND PLUS I BELIEVE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I PLAN TO CALL AUDI OF AMERICA TO SEE IF THEY HAVE ANY FIX FOR THIS.
MY HEADLIGHTS FLICKER WHILE DRIVING MOSTLY THE LEFT BUT DOES INTERMITTENTLY GO FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. UNABLE TO DRIVE CAR AT NIGHT. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR FROM DRIVE TIME AND THE ISSUE STARTED AS SOON AS I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP
HEADLIGHT FAILURE, RIGHT DIPPED HEADLIGHT. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO SLOW SPEED AND OR VIBRATION. MULTIPLE SERVICE VISITS AT AUDI DEALER, PROBLEM NOT RESOLVED.
Official recalls
318V427000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.