← New search

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 →

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

What owners actually said

295 reports
70,000 miles · Sep 10, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST TWO 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 A…

Read full complaint

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST TWO 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. NO FAULT CODES ARE STORED WHEN THIS HAPPENS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10424600

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2011
Exterior Lighting

THE LEFT HEADLIGHT OF MY 2006 AUDI A4 QUATTRO REGULARLY FLICKERS, THEN TURNS ITSELF OFF, THEN INDICATES A "LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT" ALONG WITH AN INDICATOR THAT THE LIGHT BULB HAS FAILED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, INTERMITTENTLY. IF I TURN THE LIGHT OFF (NOTE: WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DRIVING AT NIGHT HERE) AND TURN IT …

Read full complaint

THE LEFT HEADLIGHT OF MY 2006 AUDI A4 QUATTRO REGULARLY FLICKERS, THEN TURNS ITSELF OFF, THEN INDICATES A "LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT" ALONG WITH AN INDICATOR THAT THE LIGHT BULB HAS FAILED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, INTERMITTENTLY. 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 MINUTES AND THEN THE CYCLE REPEATS ITSELF. I HAVE TAKEN IT INTO THE AUDI DEALERSHIP, AND THEY HAVE SAID THAT AUDI KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT -- CHANGING THE LIGHT BULB DOESN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10422659

50,000 miles · Aug 9, 2011
Exterior Lighting

MY HEADLIGHTS SEEMS TO BE TURNING ON AND THEN OFF. SOMETIMES IT WILL SAY " LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT " AND THE HEADLIGHT FAILURE PICTURE WILL GO UP. SOMETIMES ITS " RIGHT DIPPED HEADLIGHT ". SOMETIMES BOTH HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. THE AUDI TECH'S. CAN'T SEEM TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE AND IT'S STARTING TO COST ME MONEY. I FEEL THAT THIS IS…

Read full complaint

MY HEADLIGHTS SEEMS TO BE TURNING ON AND THEN OFF. SOMETIMES IT WILL SAY " LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT " AND THE HEADLIGHT FAILURE PICTURE WILL GO UP. SOMETIMES ITS " RIGHT DIPPED HEADLIGHT ". SOMETIMES BOTH HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. THE AUDI TECH'S. CAN'T SEEM TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE AND IT'S STARTING TO COST ME MONEY. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I DON'T HAVE THE VISIBILITY I SHOULD AT NIGHT PLUS I AM DISTRACTED AS I HAVE TO TURN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF UNTIL IT WORKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10418232

40,100 miles · Aug 7, 2011
Exterior Lighting

I STARTED THE CAR AND BOTH HEADLIGHTS WERE FLICKERING. I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE DOWN THE STREET AND THEY CONTINUED TO FLICKER FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE CAUSING DECREASED VISIBILITY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10417811

40,000 miles · Jun 13, 2011
Exterior Lighting

THIS COMPLAINT IS REGARDING AUDI VEHICLE MODEL A4 FROM YEAR 2006-2008. THE ISSUE IS CONCERNING THE HID XENON HEAD LIGHT THAT I HAVE ON THE VEHICLE AND THIS HEAD LIGHT IS THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT THAT AUDI PUTS IN THE VEHICLE, WHICH IT FLICKERS AT TURN OFF IT SELF WHEN DRIVING AND SOMETIMES EVEN WHEN VEHICLE IS NOT IN MOTION. I THI…

Read full complaint

THIS COMPLAINT IS REGARDING AUDI VEHICLE MODEL A4 FROM YEAR 2006-2008. THE ISSUE IS CONCERNING THE HID XENON HEAD LIGHT THAT I HAVE ON THE VEHICLE AND THIS HEAD LIGHT IS THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT THAT AUDI PUTS IN THE VEHICLE, WHICH IT FLICKERS AT TURN OFF IT SELF WHEN DRIVING AND SOMETIMES EVEN WHEN VEHICLE IS NOT IN MOTION. I THINK IT IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OFF AT NIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT HAPPENS VERY OFTEN, LIKE 5 TIMES A NIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT IS OFF, THE VEHICLE GIVES A WARNING SO TURNING IT OFF AND ON WILL TEMPORARILY PUT THE LIGHT ON. I FIGURED ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER'S SERVICE CENTER FOR THREE TIMES AND MENTION THE ISSUE TO THEM AND THEY JUST STATE THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH HEADLIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10406226

50,613 miles · May 12, 2011
Unknown Or Other

AUDI 2006 A4 CONVERTIBLE TOP ADHESIVE BREAKDOWN ON REAR GLASS. NO REPAIR AT THIS TIME. GETTING QUOTES, LOCAL AUDI DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS NOTE A COVERED ITEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10400587

40,000 miles · Mar 30, 2011
Exterior Lighting

LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERS AND THEN GOES OUT RANDOMLY ON MY 2006 AUDI A4 WHILE I AM DRIVING. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST DAILY. THE CONSEQUENCE IS THAT YOU ARE DRIVING WITHOUT A HEADLIGHT. TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, YOU HAVE TO TURN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN. TO DO THIS, YOU HAVE TO STOP THE CAR SO WHEN YOU TURN THE HEAD…

Read full complaint

LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERS AND THEN GOES OUT RANDOMLY ON MY 2006 AUDI A4 WHILE I AM DRIVING. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST DAILY. THE CONSEQUENCE IS THAT YOU ARE DRIVING WITHOUT A HEADLIGHT. TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, YOU HAVE TO TURN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN. TO DO THIS, YOU HAVE TO STOP THE CAR SO WHEN YOU TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OFF TO RESET THE LEFT LIGHT, YOU WON'T BE DRIVING WITHOUT HEADLIGHT. SOMETIMES THE LIGHT WILL GO OUT AGAIN WITHIN A FEW MINUTES AND SOMETIMES IT IS OK.

NHTSA ODI #10394609

Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2011
Exterior Lighting

PROBLEM STARTED SOME 3-4 MONTHS AGO, AT THE BEGINNING MY RIGHT BI-XENON HEADLIGHT STARTED JUST FLICKERING, BUT NOW, AFTER THEY FLICKER, THEY TURN OFF. I RECEIVE A MESSAGE ON THE DASH STATING "DIPPED RIGHT HEADLIGHT." AFTER I TURN OFF BOTH HEADLIGHTS ON THE SWITCH, THEY WORK AGAIN FINE FOR SOME PERIOD BUT THAN AGAIN, THEY START …

Read full complaint

PROBLEM STARTED SOME 3-4 MONTHS AGO, AT THE BEGINNING MY RIGHT BI-XENON HEADLIGHT STARTED JUST FLICKERING, BUT NOW, AFTER THEY FLICKER, THEY TURN OFF. I RECEIVE A MESSAGE ON THE DASH STATING "DIPPED RIGHT HEADLIGHT." AFTER I TURN OFF BOTH HEADLIGHTS ON THE SWITCH, THEY WORK AGAIN FINE FOR SOME PERIOD BUT THAN AGAIN, THEY START FLICKERING AND SHUTTING DOWN AGAIN. MY BOTH BI-XENON BULBS LOOK FINE, AND THE LIGHT IS VERY BRIGHT AT NIGHT SO I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS THE BULBS. IN ADDITION, I HAVE NOTICED THAT THEY GO OFF MORE FREQUENTLY IN THE WINTER MONTHS AND AFTER HITTING A BUMP. THE RIGHT LIGHT SEEMS TO BE ONLY AFFECTED.

NHTSA ODI #10393240

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…

Read full complaint

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…

Read full complaint

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

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.