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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

Exterior Lighting complaints

159 reports
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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

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2013
Exterior Lighting

THE LEFT HEADLIGHT OF MY 2006 AUDI A4 QUATTRO CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS: RANDOMLY, THE LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERS AND THEN TURNS ITSELF OFF. I GET AN ERROR MESSAGE THAT STATES, "LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT." IF I TURN THE LIGHT SWITCH OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN, THE LEFT HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATES AGAIN. SOMETIMES, IT WILL STAY ON FOR AS…

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THE LEFT HEADLIGHT OF MY 2006 AUDI A4 QUATTRO CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS: RANDOMLY, THE LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERS AND THEN TURNS ITSELF OFF. I GET AN ERROR MESSAGE THAT STATES, "LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT." IF I TURN THE LIGHT SWITCH OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN, THE LEFT HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATES AGAIN. SOMETIMES, IT WILL STAY ON FOR AS LONG AS 2 HOURS. OTHER TIMES, IT GOES THROUGH THE ABOVE STEPS WITHIN MINUTES. MY LOCAL AUDI DEALER CLAIMS THAT THEY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS (DESPITE MULTIPLE ONLINE FORUMS WHERE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE VERY SAME PROBLEM). THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. THE COST TO TROUBLESHOOT THIS, ACCORDING TO MY AUDI DEALER, WILL RUN INTO THE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS, AT MINIMUM, BUT AGAIN, THEY CLAIM THEY HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513267

77,500 miles · Apr 11, 2013
Exterior Lighting

THE LEFT HEADLIGHT OF MY 2006 AUDI A4 HAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM: 1. THE LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERS 2. IT THEN TURNS ITSELF OFF 3. THE MESSAGE "LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT" APPEARS IF I TURN THE LIGHT OFF (NOTE: WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DRIVING AT NIGHT HERE) AND TURN IT BACK ON AGAIN, THE LIGHT WILL BECOME N…

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THE LEFT HEADLIGHT OF MY 2006 AUDI A4 HAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM: 1. THE LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERS 2. IT THEN TURNS ITSELF OFF 3. THE MESSAGE "LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT" APPEARS IF I TURN THE LIGHT OFF (NOTE: WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DRIVING AT NIGHT HERE) AND TURN IT BACK ON AGAIN, THE LIGHT WILL BECOME NORMAL AGAIN, FOR ABOUT A FEW SECONDS TO MINUTES AND THEN THE CYCLE REPEATS ITSELF. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. A NUMBER OF OTHER DRIVERS SEEM TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM AS WELL AS EVIDENCED BY THE COMMENTS ON SEVERAL OTHER FORUMS AND SPEAKING WITH THE AUDI DEALER. I WAS TOLD NO "CAMPAIGN" HAS BEEN ISSUED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10506025

79,000 miles · Apr 7, 2013
Exterior Lighting

LEFT HEADLIGHT/PARKING LIGHT DIPPED. EXTREMELY UNRELIABLE SIGNAL. FLICKERED THE BULB AND SHUT OFF. IF YOU SWITCH OFF THE LIGHT AND RESTART, IT IS ON FOR A MINUTE AND AGAIN THE SAME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10507423

165,000 miles · Mar 13, 2013
Exterior Lighting

THE RIGHT DIPPED HEADLIGHT FLICKERED AND THEN WENT OUT. TURNING THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF, RESTORES THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT, BUT IS A LITTLE DANGEROUS AT SPEED. THIS IS A PROBLEM AND IN BAD WEATHER VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502603

102,437 miles · Mar 5, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

BOTH HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF AT ANY TIME. ERROR MESSAGE SAYS LEFT/RIGHT DIPPED HEADLAMP. IT SEEMS LIKE A DESIGN/ENGINEERING FLAW. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. THIS COULD RESULT IN DEATH, INJURY, AND MONETARY FINES FROM THE POLICE. THERE SHOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10501354

12,000 miles · Mar 1, 2013
Exterior Lighting

THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MANY TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY. NOW THE ISSUE IS HAPPENING EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. THE ISSUE IS THAT WHEN MY LIGHTS ARE ON, THEY WILL FLICKER AND GO OUT. I WILL GET AN ERROR MESSAGE THAT SAYS "DIPPED HEADLIGHT". THE ONLY SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM IS TO FLIP THE LIGHTS…

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THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MANY TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY. NOW THE ISSUE IS HAPPENING EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. THE ISSUE IS THAT WHEN MY LIGHTS ARE ON, THEY WILL FLICKER AND GO OUT. I WILL GET AN ERROR MESSAGE THAT SAYS "DIPPED HEADLIGHT". THE ONLY SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM IS TO FLIP THE LIGHTS OFF AND FLIP THEM BACK ON. DOING THIS RESULTS IN THE CAR BEING WITHOUT LIGHTS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. SOMETIMES THE RIGHT LIGHT WILL GO OUT AND SOMETIMES THE LEFT LIGHT GOES OUT. THEY CAN ALSO HAPPEN AT THE SAME TIME, WHICH RESULTS IN ME DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH NO LIGHTS. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT AFFECTS THE SAFETY OF THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THE ISSUE FOR SOME TIME AND FOUND THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH HIS ISSUE. AUDI IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT DOES NOT HAVE A SOLUTION. THEY CONTINUE TO TELL US TO CHANGE THE LIGHT BULB AT OUR COST, WHICH DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. SINCE THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE A CRASH, RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH, THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL AND SOLUTION PROVIDED. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE CAR AND AUDI SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10500973

75,000 miles · Feb 27, 2013
Exterior Lighting

THE VEHICLE FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS HAS HAD HEAD LAMP PROBLEMS. I WILL BE DRIVING ALONG AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ONE OF THE HEADLAMPS WILL FLICKER AND THEN GO OUT. A WARNING ON THE DASH WILL SAY LEFT (OR RIGHT) HEADLAMP DIPPED. THE ONLY WAY TO ALTER THE SITUATION IS TO TURN THE HEADLAMP OFF AND THEN BACK ON AT SPEED. THIS I…

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THE VEHICLE FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS HAS HAD HEAD LAMP PROBLEMS. I WILL BE DRIVING ALONG AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ONE OF THE HEADLAMPS WILL FLICKER AND THEN GO OUT. A WARNING ON THE DASH WILL SAY LEFT (OR RIGHT) HEADLAMP DIPPED. THE ONLY WAY TO ALTER THE SITUATION IS TO TURN THE HEADLAMP OFF AND THEN BACK ON AT SPEED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE DEALER HAS SAID THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE SITUATION AND THEREFORE CANNOT FIX IT. AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED THAT MANY AUDI A4 OWNERS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM ON A REGULAR BASIS. IT IS BEYOND BELIEF THAT AUDI, A MANUFACTURER THAT PRIDES ITSELF ON SAFETY, HAS NOT INVESTIGATED THIS PROBLEM AND COME UP WITH A FIX. I BELIEVE A RECALL SHOULD BE INITIATED AND AUDI SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX THIS VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM/DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10500632

95,000 miles · Feb 8, 2013
Exterior Lighting

FIRST, IS WAS ONLY THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT, BUT NOW IT'S BOTH. THE PROBLEM IS THE LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER THEN TURN OFF. AFTER THE LIGHTS TURN OFF EVEN THE HIGH BEAMS WON'T TURN ON. THE HEADLIGHTS TURN BACK ON WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496913

72,000 miles · Nov 30, 2012
Exterior Lighting

MAKE / MODELS : MODEL/BUILD YEARS: AUDI / A3 2006-2009 AUDI / A4 2005-2007 AUDI / A4 CABRIOLET 2007-2009 AUDI / TT 2008-2009 SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER : TSB-94-09-14 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER : 10030587 SUMMARY DESCRIPTION : AUDI: THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE CONDITIONS THAT BOTH OCCUR IN VEHICLES WITH BI-XENON, WITH OR WITHOUT ADAPTIVE…

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MAKE / MODELS : MODEL/BUILD YEARS: AUDI / A3 2006-2009 AUDI / A4 2005-2007 AUDI / A4 CABRIOLET 2007-2009 AUDI / TT 2008-2009 SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER : TSB-94-09-14 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER : 10030587 SUMMARY DESCRIPTION : 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. *PE MAKE / MODELS : MODEL/BUILD YEARS: AUDI / A3 2006-2009 AUDI / A4 2005-2007 AUDI / A4 CABRIOLET 2007-2009 AUDI / TT 2008-2009 SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER : TSB-94-09-12 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER : 10030630 SUMMARY DESCRIPTION : AUDI: HEADLIGHT, LOW BEAM MAY NOT WORK. 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. ONE XENON LIGHT ON ONE SIDE FAILS PERMANENTLY. *PE *TR

NHTSA ODI #10486595

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.