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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

Power Train complaints

14 reports
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55,000 miles · Sep 28, 2018
Power Train

CVT TRANSMISSION TOTAL FAILURE - TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST ADVISES THAT SEVERAL OF THE FIRST CVT TRANSMISSIONS RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC WERE DEFECTIVE IN DESIGN AND PRODUCTION, AND HAVE BEEN UPGRADED OVER THE YEARS TO CORRECT FOR THESE EARLY DEFICIENCIES. THE SPECIALIST FURTHER ADVISES THAT AUDI AND SATURN ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THESE DE…

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CVT TRANSMISSION TOTAL FAILURE - TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST ADVISES THAT SEVERAL OF THE FIRST CVT TRANSMISSIONS RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC WERE DEFECTIVE IN DESIGN AND PRODUCTION, AND HAVE BEEN UPGRADED OVER THE YEARS TO CORRECT FOR THESE EARLY DEFICIENCIES. THE SPECIALIST FURTHER ADVISES THAT AUDI AND SATURN ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THESE DEFECTS. IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING WHILE TRAVELING ON A MAJOR ROADWAY. ALL OF THE INDICATOR LIGHTS IN THE GEAR SELECTOR STARTED FLASHING SIMULTANEOUSLY, AND THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT IMMOBILE IN AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS POSITION. AUDI QUOTED MORE THAN $8,000 TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR WAS COMPLETED BY A LOCAL TRANSMISSION EXPERT FOR A LITTLE OVER $5,000. IT IS THIS EXPERT WHO ADVISED OF THE LONG-STANDING AND WELL-ESTABLISHED PROBLEMS IN AUDI'S EARLY CVT TRANSMISSIONS, AND SAID DEFINITIVELY THAT AUDI SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO HANDLE THIS AS A SAFETY AND DESIGN/MANUAFACTURING DEFECT RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11132202

235,000 miles · Mar 11, 2018
Air BagsPower Train

TAKATA RECALL, HAVE CONTACTED DEALER TO REMEDY SAFETY ISSUE AND UNDERSTAND THERE IS NO CURRENT SOLUTION OR ANYTHING BEING DONE ABOUT A MAJOR RECALL TO THE SUPPLEMENT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS FITTED IN MY VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER HAS NO FUTURE DATE FOR SAFETY CONCERN BEING RESOLVED. I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. TRANSMISSION FAILU…

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TAKATA RECALL, HAVE CONTACTED DEALER TO REMEDY SAFETY ISSUE AND UNDERSTAND THERE IS NO CURRENT SOLUTION OR ANYTHING BEING DONE ABOUT A MAJOR RECALL TO THE SUPPLEMENT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS FITTED IN MY VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER HAS NO FUTURE DATE FOR SAFETY CONCERN BEING RESOLVED. I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT HIGH MILEAGE DUE TO TORQUE CONVERTER SEAL FAILURE AND VOLTAGE SPIKE TO SOLENOID 3 CAUSING TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURES TO RISE AND RESULT IN PREMATURE FAILURE OF ZF 6HP19A TRANSMISSION. HAVE CONTACTED MANUFACTURER AND ZAHNRADFABRIK FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG TO REPORT PREMATURE FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION, HAVE NOT HEARD BACK. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN FAILURE OCCURRED CAUSING SUDDEN SPEED DROP ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, NO INJURIES REPORTED BUT ACCIDENT PRONE.

NHTSA ODI #11078603

120,000 miles · Aug 4, 2017
Power Train

TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER VALVE BODY DEFECTIVE SEALS LEAKING

NHTSA ODI #11012861

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

88,000 miles · Apr 3, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WAITING AT A TRAFFIC STOP, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE GEAR BOX MECHATRONICS UNIT NEEDED BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WAITING AT A TRAFFIC STOP, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE GEAR BOX MECHATRONICS UNIT NEEDED BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,200.

NHTSA ODI #10577218

61,000 miles · Nov 4, 2013
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

IN OCTOBER 2006, PURCHASED A NEW 2006 AUDI A4 FROM CAROUSEL AUDI IN GOLDEN VALLEY, MN. THE CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND HAS LESS THAN 62,000 MILES TODAY. IN LATE SUMMER OF 2013, I BEGAN NOTICING THAT THE CAR JERKED HEAVILY WHEN PUTTING IT INTO REVERSE FROM A PARKED POSITION. THE CAR HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND I THEN BE…

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IN OCTOBER 2006, PURCHASED A NEW 2006 AUDI A4 FROM CAROUSEL AUDI IN GOLDEN VALLEY, MN. THE CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND HAS LESS THAN 62,000 MILES TODAY. IN LATE SUMMER OF 2013, I BEGAN NOTICING THAT THE CAR JERKED HEAVILY WHEN PUTTING IT INTO REVERSE FROM A PARKED POSITION. THE CAR HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND I THEN BEGAN NOTICING THE CAR NOT ACCELERATING PROPERLY AND LABORING WHEN NEARING 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE MOTOR WOULD REV UP AND MAKE AN UNUSUAL SOUND AND IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE AUDI DEALER AND THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND COMPUTER MODULE WERE NOT COMMUNICATING PROPERLY AND THAT IT NEEDS A NEW MODULE AT A COST OF ABOUT $3800. THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR ANY OF THE REPAIRS. WHEN I ASKED BOTH THEM AND AUDI NORTH AMERICA ABOUT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT REGARDING SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH 61,000 OTHER AUDI OWNERS ACROSS THE U.S., THEY REFUSED TO DISCUSS THE MATTER. I BELIEVE THAT AUDI HAS KNOWINGLY MADE AND SOLD A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE THAT IS DANGEROUS AND POSES GREAT RISK TO ITS OWNER AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. I BELIEVE THAT AUDI SHOULD BE FORCED TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND RECALL VEHICLES WITH THIS WELL DOCUMENTED DEFECT AND PAY FOR MY REPAIR AS WELL AS FOR OTHER OWNERS WHO HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10550901

63,000 miles · Apr 18, 2013
Power Train

PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MARCH 2012. APPROXIMATELY 4 MONTHS LATER THE "CHECK ENGINE " LIGHT CAME ON . HAD THE CODES CHECKED AND MAIN CODE CAME BACK P0722 WHICH DIRECTED ME TO A "DEALERSHIP ONLY" REPAIR. IT WAS TOLD TO ME THAT THE TCM WAS BAD AND NEEDED REPLACING. I FIND OUT AUDI INITIALLY USED A FAULTY PLASTIC PART THAT THEY WER…

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PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MARCH 2012. APPROXIMATELY 4 MONTHS LATER THE "CHECK ENGINE " LIGHT CAME ON . HAD THE CODES CHECKED AND MAIN CODE CAME BACK P0722 WHICH DIRECTED ME TO A "DEALERSHIP ONLY" REPAIR. IT WAS TOLD TO ME THAT THE TCM WAS BAD AND NEEDED REPLACING. I FIND OUT AUDI INITIALLY USED A FAULTY PLASTIC PART THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF WOULD FAIL. I CALLED AUDI USA FOR ASSISTANCE AND THEY WORKED OUT A 15% DISCOUNT WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND NO ASSISTANCE FROM AUDI USA. I INFORMED THEM THAT I STILL FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT IF THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH AUDI TRANSMISSIONS THEN THEY SHOULD COVER FULL COST OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10508693

85,500 miles · Sep 27, 2012
Power Train

OUR 2006 AUDI A4 HAS A FAILED MECHATRONICS UNIT AT 85,000 MILES. THE CAR DOES NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY AND EXPERIENCES FLUXUATING RPM WHILE DRIVING. THE COST TO REPAIR IS OVER $5000 ON A $15,000 VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10477271

43,000 miles · Jan 7, 2011
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 AUDI A4 CABRIOLET. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHIFT INTO LIMP MODE. NONE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TRANSMISSION FLUID. WHEN THE DEALER ADDED TRANSMISSION FLUID TO THE VEHICLE TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 AUDI A4 CABRIOLET. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHIFT INTO LIMP MODE. NONE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TRANSMISSION FLUID. WHEN THE DEALER ADDED TRANSMISSION FLUID TO THE VEHICLE THAT DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER REGARDING THE LIMP MODE ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA ODI #10375137

30,000 miles · Sep 28, 2010
Power Train

PASSING ON FREEWAY HILL. PRESSED ACCELERATOR TO SHIFT AUTO TRANSMISSION INTO LOWER PASSING GEAR. RESULT WAS AS IF I'D SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. WITH ACCELERATOR PLANTED FIRMLY TO THE FIREWALL THE RPMS WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 4K. TRIED EVERY POSSIBLE COMBO (OVER THE COURSE OF A 50 MILE FREEWAY TRIP) WITH AUTO TRANS SELECTOR AND THE CAR WO…

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PASSING ON FREEWAY HILL. PRESSED ACCELERATOR TO SHIFT AUTO TRANSMISSION INTO LOWER PASSING GEAR. RESULT WAS AS IF I'D SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. WITH ACCELERATOR PLANTED FIRMLY TO THE FIREWALL THE RPMS WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 4K. TRIED EVERY POSSIBLE COMBO (OVER THE COURSE OF A 50 MILE FREEWAY TRIP) WITH AUTO TRANS SELECTOR AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE EXCEPT IN THE "DRIVE" MODE. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE LIT. CLEARLY, WHEN THE "DRIVE" MODE AUTOMATICALLY SELECTED A LOWER GEAR, IT WAS AS IF I'D SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. AFTER THE CAR SAT FOR A BIT, THERE WAS NOT PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT CAR TO BE TRUSTED. ANOTHER CUTE TRICK: NOW AND THEN IT LOCKS ALL THE DOORS AFTER I'VE EXITED THE CAR AND LEFT THE ENGINE RUNNING, WHICH SHOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE ON THIS VEHICLE. I WILL NEVER AGAIN TRUST THIS CAR TO SAFELY PASS ANOTHER. DEALER INDICATES I COULD BRING THE CAR IN, BUT THAT'S 200 MILES EACH WAY...NO CERTAINTY OF DIAGNOSIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10358077

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.