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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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38,000 miles · Mar 19, 2011
Exterior Lighting

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…

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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. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392212

35,000 miles · Mar 13, 2011
Exterior Lighting

MY CONCERN IS WITH THE HID HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2006 AUDI A4 2.0. SHORTLY AFTER TURNING THE LIGHTS ON, THE LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERS AND THEN TURN OFF COMPLETELY. I GET AN ERROR MESSAGE LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT. AT FIRST, THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED 2-3 TIMES A WEEK, BUT NOW HAPPENS EVERY SINGLE TIME I TURN ON THE LIGHTS. THE ONLY WAY TO F…

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MY CONCERN IS WITH THE HID HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2006 AUDI A4 2.0. SHORTLY AFTER TURNING THE LIGHTS ON, THE LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERS AND THEN TURN OFF COMPLETELY. I GET AN ERROR MESSAGE LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT. AT FIRST, THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED 2-3 TIMES A WEEK, BUT NOW HAPPENS EVERY SINGLE TIME I TURN ON THE LIGHTS. THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IS FOR ME TO TURN OFF THE LIGHTS FOR 5 SECONDS AND THEN TURN BACK ON. AT TIMES I DO THIS ON THE HIGHWAY OR ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD ROADS. I'VE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER - NEW COUNTRY AUDI OF GREENWICH BUT THEY CLAIM THEY CAN'T REPRODUCE IT. THEY SUGGESTED REPLACING THE HEADLIGHT ($300+) BUT OFFER NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10389973

35,000 miles · Mar 10, 2011
Exterior Lighting

2006 AUDI A4 AVANT 3.2L V6: ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS THE LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLIGHTS GO OUT AND A "DIPPED HEADLIGHT" WARNING LIGHT SHOWS UP ON THE DASH. TURNING THE HEADLIGHTS OFF THEN BACK ON WILL BRING THEM BACK ON MOMENTARILY UNTIL A VIBRATION KNOCKS THEM OUT AGAIN. IT'S USUALLY ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER BUT …

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2006 AUDI A4 AVANT 3.2L V6: ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS THE LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLIGHTS GO OUT AND A "DIPPED HEADLIGHT" WARNING LIGHT SHOWS UP ON THE DASH. TURNING THE HEADLIGHTS OFF THEN BACK ON WILL BRING THEM BACK ON MOMENTARILY UNTIL A VIBRATION KNOCKS THEM OUT AGAIN. IT'S USUALLY ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER BUT SOMETIMES BOTH LIGHTS GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IS A VERY COMMON ONE: HTTP://WWW.AUDIZINE.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP/332613-CLASS-ACTION-LAWSUIT-DIPPED-HEADLIGHT-FLICKER-PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10389674

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2011
Exterior Lighting

FLICKERINGAND DIPPED HEADLIGHT OUTAGES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10384621

35,000 miles · Feb 20, 2011
Exterior Lighting

THE CONCERN IS WITH THE HID HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2006 AUDI QUATTRO 2.0 A4. SHORTLY AFTER TURNING THE LIGHTS ON, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER AND THEN TURN OFF COMPLETELY. AT FIRST, THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED 2-3 TIMES A WEEK, BUT TODAY HAPPENS EVERY SINGLE TIME I TURN ON THE LIGHTS. OTHER THAN A COSTLY REPAIR THAT NO SHOP CAN GUARANTEE...TH…

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THE CONCERN IS WITH THE HID HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2006 AUDI QUATTRO 2.0 A4. SHORTLY AFTER TURNING THE LIGHTS ON, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER AND THEN TURN OFF COMPLETELY. AT FIRST, THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED 2-3 TIMES A WEEK, BUT TODAY HAPPENS EVERY SINGLE TIME I TURN ON THE LIGHTS. OTHER THAN A COSTLY REPAIR THAT NO SHOP CAN GUARANTEE...THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IS FOR ME TO TURN OFF THE LIGHTS FOR 5 SECONDS AND THEN TURN BACK ON. AT TIMES I DO THIS ON THE HIGHWAY OR ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD ROADS (WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY, I CAN'T PULL OVER FOR FEAR THAT SOMEONE WILL NOT SEE ME...SO I HAVE TO DO THIS OFF/ON PROCEDURE WHILE MOVING). AT TIMES I HAVE SURPRISED OTHER DRIVERS AND NEARLY BEEN REAR ENDED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10383416

55,000 miles · Feb 15, 2011
Exterior Lighting

DIPPED HEADLIGHT ERROR TURNS OFF ONE OR BOTH OF THE HEADLIGHTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10382841

45,000 miles · Dec 22, 2010
Exterior Lighting

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2006 AUDI A4 2.0 THE LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERED AND TURNED OFF, RESULTING IN A DASHBOARD ERROR MESSAGE "LEFT HEADLIGHT DIPPED". THIS CONTINUED AND FREQUENTLY CONTINUES TO OCCUR TO THIS DAY. WHEN IT DOES OCCUR I HAVE TO TURN OFF THE HEADLIGHTS AND THEN TURN THEM BACK ON; LEAVING ME IN…

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SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2006 AUDI A4 2.0 THE LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERED AND TURNED OFF, RESULTING IN A DASHBOARD ERROR MESSAGE "LEFT HEADLIGHT DIPPED". THIS CONTINUED AND FREQUENTLY CONTINUES TO OCCUR TO THIS DAY. WHEN IT DOES OCCUR I HAVE TO TURN OFF THE HEADLIGHTS AND THEN TURN THEM BACK ON; LEAVING ME IN THE DARK WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. I HAD THE AUDI SERVICE CENTER CHECK OUT THE ISSUE. THEY SAID THE HID BULB NEEDS TO BE CHANGED AND IT WOULD BE $400. I COULD NOT AFFORD THIS AND DID NOT HAVE IT CHANGED. I'VE READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE DESCRIBING THIS VERY SAME ISSUE. MANY STATING THAT REPLACING THE BULBS DO NOT ALWAYS SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND MUCH MORE COSTLY REPAIRS ARE NEEDED. AUDI OF AMERICA HAS LET ITS' CUSTOMERS DOWN ON THIS ONE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT THE DOT AND NHTSA NEED TO ADDRESS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10372121

35,000 miles · Dec 20, 2010
Exterior Lighting

AUDI HEADLIGHT SHUTTERS AND SHUTS DOWN. INDICATOR STATES 'LEFT HEADLIGHT DIPPED'. FAILURE STARTED AS INTERMITTENT AND IS NOW AS OFTEN AS EVERYDAY WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. WHEN THE LIGHT IS TURNED OFF THEN ON AGAIN, THE LIGHT WILL WORK AND THEN WILL SHUTTER/SHUT DOWN AGAIN. CONSEQUENCE…

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AUDI HEADLIGHT SHUTTERS AND SHUTS DOWN. INDICATOR STATES 'LEFT HEADLIGHT DIPPED'. FAILURE STARTED AS INTERMITTENT AND IS NOW AS OFTEN AS EVERYDAY WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. WHEN THE LIGHT IS TURNED OFF THEN ON AGAIN, THE LIGHT WILL WORK AND THEN WILL SHUTTER/SHUT DOWN AGAIN. CONSEQUENCE IS A MISSING HEADLIGHT AT NIGHT WHICH CAN CAUSE OTHER VEHICLES NOT TO SEE ME OR LACK OF LIGHTING IN THE DRIVING PATHWAY WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT (PEDESTRIAN, OTHER VEHICLES, BIKES, ANIMALS, ETC..). CAR WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT DEALER HAS CLAIMED THAT NO ISSUE IS BULB RELATED AND WILL COST OVER $400US TO REPLACE AT MY EXPENSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10371767

48,500 miles · Nov 30, 2010
Exterior Lighting

ON OUR 2006 A4 2.0 QUATTRO AFTER TURNING ON LOW BEAM XENON CONTINUALLY FLICKERS AND EVENTUALLY GOES OUT. THIS IS FOLLOWED A LEFT BULB FAILURE INDICATION. RECYCLING THE LIGHT SWITCH MAY OR MAY NOT SOLVE PROBLEM. TURNING CAR COMPLETELY OFF SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE MORE EFFECTIVE BUT ALL IS OBVIOUSLY A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL AS A V…

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ON OUR 2006 A4 2.0 QUATTRO AFTER TURNING ON LOW BEAM XENON CONTINUALLY FLICKERS AND EVENTUALLY GOES OUT. THIS IS FOLLOWED A LEFT BULB FAILURE INDICATION. RECYCLING THE LIGHT SWITCH MAY OR MAY NOT SOLVE PROBLEM. TURNING CAR COMPLETELY OFF SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE MORE EFFECTIVE BUT ALL IS OBVIOUSLY A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL AS A VIOLATION OF TRAFFIC LAWS. I TOLD MY AUDI SERVICE GUY ABOUT THIS BUT ALTHOUGH AUDI SAYS TO REPLACE BULB (OVER $200US ) HE WAS SURE THIS WOULD NOT SOLVE PROBLEM. HE SAID HE HAS NUMEROUS CUSTOMERS WITH THE PROBLEM. I CANT BELIEVE THIS IS ALLOWED. DRIVING WITHOUT A HEADLAMP IS A TRAFFIC VIOLATION FOR A REASON. IT IS A MAJOR DISTRACTION FOR DRIVER AND I'M SURE ON COMING TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10368342

59,000 miles · Nov 24, 2010
Exterior Lighting

2006 AUDI A4 DIPPED HEADLIGHT / FLICKER / PROBLEM. LEFT OR RIGHT HEADLIGHT WILL DIP AND MINUTES LATER, THE OTHER LIGHT WILL GO OUT. AUDI SAID THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX THE ISSUE BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS HAPPENED LATE AT NIGHT AND ALMOST RESULTED IN A TICKET. TURNING OFF THE LIGHT AND TURNING THEM B…

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2006 AUDI A4 DIPPED HEADLIGHT / FLICKER / PROBLEM. LEFT OR RIGHT HEADLIGHT WILL DIP AND MINUTES LATER, THE OTHER LIGHT WILL GO OUT. AUDI SAID THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX THE ISSUE BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS HAPPENED LATE AT NIGHT AND ALMOST RESULTED IN A TICKET. TURNING OFF THE LIGHT AND TURNING THEM BACK ON DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10367342

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.