IllustrationCAR DID NOT SHOW ANY SIGNS PRIOR TO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. WITHIN SEVERAL MINUTES OF CHECK IN LIGHT APPEARING THE CAR BEGIN DRIVING ROUGH AND SMOKE POURED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. MY HUSBAND QUICKLY CUT THE WIRES OF THE COIL PACK FROM THE HOUSING TO PREVENT THE FIRE FROM SPREADING, AS I GRABBED THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all A4 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
130–25K
5425–50K
6550–75K
3875–100K
20100–150K
4150K+
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 reportsI HAVE A 2006 AUDI A4, AND THE DIPPED HEADLIGHT (MOSTLY ON THE LEFT SIDE, BUT OCCASIONALLY ON THE RIGHT SIDE) FLICKERS, THEN GOES OFF WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. IF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON THE LIGHT WILL COME BACK ON. SOMETIMES IT STAYS ON FOR AS LONG AS I DRIVE THE CAR, AND OTHER TIMES IT WILL R…
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I HAVE A 2006 AUDI A4, AND THE DIPPED HEADLIGHT (MOSTLY ON THE LEFT SIDE, BUT OCCASIONALLY ON THE RIGHT SIDE) FLICKERS, THEN GOES OFF WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. IF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON THE LIGHT WILL COME BACK ON. SOMETIMES IT STAYS ON FOR AS LONG AS I DRIVE THE CAR, AND OTHER TIMES IT WILL REPEAT THE FLICKER, AND THEN GO OFF AGAIN AFTER A FEW MINUTES. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO AN AUDI DEALER FOR REPAIR, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY CHANGED THE LIGHT BULBS, BUT IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY SINCE 2007. I ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS AGAIN RECENTLY, AND THEY HAVE NOT OFFERED A SOLUTION. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED IN WARM WEATHER, COLD WEATHER, DRY, WET, SNOW, OR RAIN. IT APPEARS TO HAPPEN WHEN I SLOW TO A STOP, MAKE A TURN, OR EVEN CHANGE LANES. IT HAS EVEN OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING ALONG A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD WITHOUT OUT STOPS. *TR
2006 AUDI A4. THE LEFT HEADLIGHT SOMETIMES DIPS WHEN ITS COLD OUT. LIGHT COMES ON AND SAID LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT. *TR
I HAVE A 2006 AUDI A4 QUATTRO. THE LEFT HEADLIGHT IS CONSTANTLY FLICKERING AND OCCASSIONALLY WILL GO OUT. AT THIS POINT I HAVE TO TURN OFF THE LIGHTS AND TURN THEM BACK ON. THIS WILL TURN THE LIGHT BACK ON, BUT IT CONTINUES TO FLICKER. MY VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY AND I HAVE REQUESTED THE DEALER REPAIR IT. THEY STATED THAT …
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I HAVE A 2006 AUDI A4 QUATTRO. THE LEFT HEADLIGHT IS CONSTANTLY FLICKERING AND OCCASSIONALLY WILL GO OUT. AT THIS POINT I HAVE TO TURN OFF THE LIGHTS AND TURN THEM BACK ON. THIS WILL TURN THE LIGHT BACK ON, BUT IT CONTINUES TO FLICKER. MY VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY AND I HAVE REQUESTED THE DEALER REPAIR IT. THEY STATED THAT IT IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY AND THAT I WILL NEED TO PAY FO RTHE REPAIRS. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND I HAVE FOUND OTHERS TO HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. SOME HAVE PAID FOR THE REPAIR, JUST TO HAVE IT OCCUR AGAIN. I AM CONCERNED THAT ONE NIGHT THIS LIGHT WILL FAIL WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON A DARK ROAD WITH MY WIFE AND SON IN THE CAR.
THE LEFT HEADLIGHT OF MY 2006 AUDI A4 QUATTRO HAS THIS ANNOYING -- AND DANGEROUS -- PROBLEM: 1. THE LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERS 2. IT THEN TURNS ITSELF OFF 3. THE MESSAGE "LEFT 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 T…
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THE LEFT HEADLIGHT OF MY 2006 AUDI A4 QUATTRO HAS THIS ANNOYING -- AND DANGEROUS -- PROBLEM: 1. THE LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERS 2. IT THEN TURNS ITSELF OFF 3. THE MESSAGE "LEFT 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 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. IT HAS BEEN OCCURRING A LOT RECENTLY WITH THE COLD WEATHER. I CAN'T TELL FOR SURE WHETHER IT IS TEMPERATURE RELATED. 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. *DT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE LIGHTLY PLACING HIS FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO PROCEED FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. HE PLACED THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP, BARELY AVOIDING A CRASH WITH A VEHICLE AHEAD OF H…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE LIGHTLY PLACING HIS FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO PROCEED FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. HE PLACED THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP, BARELY AVOIDING A CRASH WITH A VEHICLE AHEAD OF HIM. THE VEHICLE WAS IN POSSESSION OF THE DEALER FOR ONE WEEK; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,015.
MY LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERS AND THEN GOES OUT. I DO NOTICE THAT THIS SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE DURING THE EVENINGS WITH COOLER TEMPERATURES. I DO HAVE TO FLIP LIGHTS OFF QUICKLY BECAUSE I AM DRIVING AT NIGHT AND THEN FLIP BACK TO LIGHTS ON. THEY WILL WORK FOR AWHILE. I HAVE ALREADY BEEN WARNED BY OUR STATE POLICE REGARDING THIS SAFETY…
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MY LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERS AND THEN GOES OUT. I DO NOTICE THAT THIS SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE DURING THE EVENINGS WITH COOLER TEMPERATURES. I DO HAVE TO FLIP LIGHTS OFF QUICKLY BECAUSE I AM DRIVING AT NIGHT AND THEN FLIP BACK TO LIGHTS ON. THEY WILL WORK FOR AWHILE. I HAVE ALREADY BEEN WARNED BY OUR STATE POLICE REGARDING THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND WILL PROBABLY GET A TICKET THE NEXT TIME. IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS BEGINNING TO BE A INCREASE IN COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. LETS GET THIS INVESTIGATED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR SOMEONE CANNOT AFFORD TO DRIVE DUE TO TICKETS AND INCREASE IN INSURANCE FOR THE TICKETS. *TR
ON MY 2006 AUDI A4 WHICH HAS THE XENON LIGHTING, THE LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERS THEN GOES OUT, AND WILL COME BACK ON AFTER I TURN MY LIGHTS OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN, I AM WORRIED BOTH HEADLIGHTS MAY GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME AND CAUSE ME TO CRASH. *TR
STOPPED BY A RED LIGHT WAITING IT TO CHANGE. I WAS ON A 2 LANE ROAD ,TURNING INTO A 6 LANE ROAD TO GO INTO A SHOPPING CENTER. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AS ALWAYS, THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE STARTED TO REV EXTREMELY HIGH. THE BRAKE BARELY STOPPED ME FROM HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT!I THEN PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL …
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STOPPED BY A RED LIGHT WAITING IT TO CHANGE. I WAS ON A 2 LANE ROAD ,TURNING INTO A 6 LANE ROAD TO GO INTO A SHOPPING CENTER. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AS ALWAYS, THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE STARTED TO REV EXTREMELY HIGH. THE BRAKE BARELY STOPPED ME FROM HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT!I THEN PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL AND PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR TO LOWER THE RPM. CAR WAS TOWED TO CORAL SPRINGS AUDI. THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG! SOMETHING IS WRONG. AUDI A4 CONVERT. APPROX 21K MILES. I REALLY LIKE THIS CAR AND WISH THEY WOULD HAVE FOUND SOMETHING WRONG. I KNOW THE TOYOTA ISSUE AND IT IS IRONIC THAT IT HAPPENED AROUND THE SAME TIME. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE. THIS NEEDS FOLLOW-UP BIG TIME! THANKS *TR
2006 AUDI A4 QUATTRO, LIGHT APPEARS STATING THE LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT IS OUT. I HAVE TO TURN MY LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON, FOR A FEW MINUTES IT WILL STAY ON, THEN THE LIGHT WILL FLICKER, THEN IT GOES OUT. IT DOES THIS MOST EVERY NIGHT, AND WHEN STARTS UP, DOESN'T OFTEN STOP. *TR
Official recalls
318V427000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.