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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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42,400 miles · Jun 11, 2012
Exterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT DIPPED/LOWERED. THE HEADLIGHT WENT DARK THEN TURNED OFF. AT THE SAME TIME THE PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT STARTED TO FLICKER, AND SEEMED LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO FAIL ALSO. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE SIDE IF THE ROAD, AS I COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD. AFTER SOME TROUBLE SHOOTI…

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WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT DIPPED/LOWERED. THE HEADLIGHT WENT DARK THEN TURNED OFF. AT THE SAME TIME THE PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT STARTED TO FLICKER, AND SEEMED LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO FAIL ALSO. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE SIDE IF THE ROAD, AS I COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD. AFTER SOME TROUBLE SHOOTING I TURNED OFF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND TURNED IS BACK ON AND THE DRIVERS HEADLIGHT RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE PASSENGER SIDE STILL FLICKERS AND VIBRATES. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AS MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF AT NIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10461237

50,000 miles · Jun 2, 2012
Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER AND TURN OFF. THE FIRST TIME WAS LEAVING THE DRIVEWAY,BUT IT HAPPENS CONSTANTLY IF DRIVING AT NIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460323

Mileage unknown · May 6, 2012
Exterior Lighting

HAVING A HUGE ISSUE WITH MY 2006 AUDI A4 2006 S-LINE US SPEC, I KEEP GETTING HEADLIGHT DIPPED ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLIGHT AND THIS HAPPENS 4 TO 5 TIME ON MY DRIVE TO AND FROM WORK. I'M STATIONED IN GERMANY AND HAVE TO USE THE AUTO BAHN AND SOMETIMES DRIVE AROUND 100MPH WITH TRAFFIC AND WHEN MY HEADLIGHTS GO OUT ITS VERY DANG…

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HAVING A HUGE ISSUE WITH MY 2006 AUDI A4 2006 S-LINE US SPEC, I KEEP GETTING HEADLIGHT DIPPED ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLIGHT AND THIS HAPPENS 4 TO 5 TIME ON MY DRIVE TO AND FROM WORK. I'M STATIONED IN GERMANY AND HAVE TO USE THE AUTO BAHN AND SOMETIMES DRIVE AROUND 100MPH WITH TRAFFIC AND WHEN MY HEADLIGHTS GO OUT ITS VERY DANGEROUS NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF BUT THE OTHER DRIVERS. THIS ISSUE IS HAPPENING TO LOADS OF AUDI DRIVERS. THE XENON BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE AND THEY STILL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AND THE BULBS ARE NOT CHEAP AND NOT THE ISSUE LIKE AUDI SAYS. THE AUDI DEALERSHIP HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY LIGHTS UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO TAKE A PICTURE OF THE LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLIGHT OUT ON THE DASH. THEY SAID TO REPLACE THE LIGHT BULBS WHICH I HAVE ALREADY DONE AND DON'T WANT TO GET RIPPED OFF. AUDI NEEDS TO HAVE THIS ISSUE FIXED ASAP BEFORE IT KILLS SOMEONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10457583

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2012
Exterior Lighting

MY LEFT HEAD LIGHT TURNS OFF BY ITSELF AND I GET THE "LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT" WARNING. THE LIGHT COMES BACK ON IF I TURN IT OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON BUT IT'LL GO OUT AGAIN. I TALKED TO THE AUDI DEALER AND TOLD ME TO CHANGE THE LIGHT BULB (WHICH WOULD BE AROUND 500 DOLLARS). BUT THE LIGHT BULB ISN'T OUT. IT STILL TURNS ON. SO THEY …

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MY LEFT HEAD LIGHT TURNS OFF BY ITSELF AND I GET THE "LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT" WARNING. THE LIGHT COMES BACK ON IF I TURN IT OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON BUT IT'LL GO OUT AGAIN. I TALKED TO THE AUDI DEALER AND TOLD ME TO CHANGE THE LIGHT BULB (WHICH WOULD BE AROUND 500 DOLLARS). BUT THE LIGHT BULB ISN'T OUT. IT STILL TURNS ON. SO THEY TOLD ME THAT I MIGHT NEED TO CHANGE THE WHOLE LIGHT ASSEMBLY WHICH WOULD COST ME AROUND 1500-2000 DOLLARS. AFTER DOING A FEW RESEARCHES ON THE INTERNET, I SAW A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME AND NEITHER OF THE METHODS THE DEALER SUGGESTED WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE ON THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454620

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2012
Exterior Lighting

FOR THE PAST 12 MOUNTS MY AUDI A4 IS HAVING A CONSTANT DIPPED HEADLIGHT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. MOST OCCURRENCES ARE WITH THE LEFT HEADLIGHT BUT THERE ARE TIMES WHERE BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT COMPLETELY PUTTING ME IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF CLOSE AND DEADLY ACCIDENTS. I WANT AUDI TO TAK…

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FOR THE PAST 12 MOUNTS MY AUDI A4 IS HAVING A CONSTANT DIPPED HEADLIGHT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. MOST OCCURRENCES ARE WITH THE LEFT HEADLIGHT BUT THERE ARE TIMES WHERE BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT COMPLETELY PUTTING ME IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF CLOSE AND DEADLY ACCIDENTS. I WANT AUDI TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE AND COVER ALL ASSOCIATED COST TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10453880

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2012
Exterior Lighting

PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT STARTED FLICKERING AND WOULD GO DIM. CONTROL PANEL IN CAR GIVES WARNING THE HEAD LAMP IS DIPPED. AS TIME WENT ON HEAD LIGHT WOULD GO OUT COMPLETELY. ROUGHLY SEVERAL MONTHS LATER BOTH HEAD LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER FOR A WHILE AND THEN BOTH GO OUT COMPLETELY. WHEN THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED OFF AND THEN …

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PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT STARTED FLICKERING AND WOULD GO DIM. CONTROL PANEL IN CAR GIVES WARNING THE HEAD LAMP IS DIPPED. AS TIME WENT ON HEAD LIGHT WOULD GO OUT COMPLETELY. ROUGHLY SEVERAL MONTHS LATER BOTH HEAD LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER FOR A WHILE AND THEN BOTH GO OUT COMPLETELY. WHEN THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED OFF AND THEN ON THE LIGHTS WILL COME ON. UNFORTUNATELY THIS ONLY LAST A FEW MINUTES AND THEY BOTH GO OUT AGAIN. I DRIVE ON RURAL ROADS SO THERE IS NO STREET LIGHTING AT NIGHT AND LITTLE TO NO SHOULDERS TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. LOSING BOTH HEAD LIGHTS IS VERY SCARY. TURN THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH EVERY FEW MINUTES MAKES FOR A LONG DRIVE HOME. DEALERS CLAIM THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE ISSUE. I STARTED OFF DRIVING A 1963 COVAIR WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED; IT NEVER HAD THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. CAN THE NHTSA HELP US ALL OUT AND GET THE NEWS OUT TO AUDI THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10452698

85,000 miles · Mar 21, 2012
Exterior Lighting

MY HEADLAMPS FAIL WHILE DRIVING. THE HEADLAMPS, BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT, WILL "DIP". THIS WILL TURF THE LAMPS OFF. WHEN I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER THEY TELL ME THAT THEY CAN'T MAKE IT HAPPEN SO THEY CAN'T FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI #10452540

Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2012
Exterior Lighting

THE LEFT XENON HID HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2006 AUDI A4 IS CONSTANTLY FLICKERING AND GOING OUT. YOU NEED TO TURN IT ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES FOR IT TO STAY ON, BUT ONLY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. VERY ANNOYING AND DANGEROUS. SOMETIMES BOTH HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT AT ONCE, ESSENTIALLY LIMITING MY VISIBILITY. AS STATED IN OTHER COMPLAI…

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THE LEFT XENON HID HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2006 AUDI A4 IS CONSTANTLY FLICKERING AND GOING OUT. YOU NEED TO TURN IT ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES FOR IT TO STAY ON, BUT ONLY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. VERY ANNOYING AND DANGEROUS. SOMETIMES BOTH HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT AT ONCE, ESSENTIALLY LIMITING MY VISIBILITY. AS STATED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND IT IS EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10452110

50,000 miles · Mar 8, 2012
Electrical SystemEquipment Adaptive/mobilityExterior Lighting

HID HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. OPERATOR MUST SHUT OFF HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND TURN BACK ON FOR HEADLIGHT TO GO BACK ON. THIS HAPPENED TO THE LEFT HEADLIGHT AT 50,000 AND THE RIGHT AT 90,000 AFTER DEALER PUT IN A WATERPUMP. DEALER DENIED RESPONSIBILITY, NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY PRICE FORM REPAIR >$700.00. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10450730

65,000 miles · Feb 11, 2012
Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHTS OF MY 2006 AUDI A4 QUATTRO HAS THIS ANNOYING -- AND DANGEROUS -- PROBLEM: 1. THE HEADLIGHT FLICKERS (SOMETIMES THE LEFT, SOMETIMES THE RIGHT, SOMETIMES BOTH). 2. IT THEN TURNS ITSELF OFF 3. THE MESSAGE "LEFT/RIGHT DIPPED HEADLIGHT" APPEARS 4. THE MESSAGE IS CHANGED TO A SIGN INDICATING THAT THE LIGHTBULB HAS FAIL…

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THE HEADLIGHTS OF MY 2006 AUDI A4 QUATTRO HAS THIS ANNOYING -- AND DANGEROUS -- PROBLEM: 1. THE HEADLIGHT FLICKERS (SOMETIMES THE LEFT, SOMETIMES THE RIGHT, SOMETIMES BOTH). 2. IT THEN TURNS ITSELF OFF 3. THE MESSAGE "LEFT/RIGHT DIPPED HEADLIGHT" APPEARS 4. THE MESSAGE IS CHANGED TO A SIGN INDICATING THAT THE LIGHTBULB HAS FAILED. IF I TURN THE LIGHT OFF (NOTE: WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DRIVING AT NIGHT ON A DARK COUNTRY ROAD HERE) AND TURN IT BACK ON AGAIN, THE LIGHT WILL BECOME NORMAL AGAIN, FOR ABOUT A FEW MINUTES AND THEN THE CYCLE REPEATS ITSELF. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. LAST NIGHT I HAD TO TURN MY HEADLIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN TEN TIMES WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. 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. GO ON THE INTERNET AND DO A SEARCH FOR "AUDI DIPPED HEADLIGHT" AND YOU WILL FIND AN INFINITE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THE PROBLEM GETS THE ATTENTION IT NEEDS? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447482

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.