← New search

2006 Audi A6

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Audi A6 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 35.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all A6 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

33 reports with mileage · 34 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

67 reports
85,000 miles · Apr 30, 2013
Tires

I WENT TO MY REPAIR SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE. WHEN THE CAR WAS UP IN THE AIR THE TECHNICIAN WAS ALARMED AT MY PASSENGER FRONT TIRE. WE LOOKED AT IT AND THE TIRE HAD ACTUALLY CAVED IN WITH WEAR ALONG THE INSIDE EDGE OF THE TREAD TO THE POINT WHERE IT HAD SEPARATED AND THE STEEL BELTS WERE SHOWING. THE REST OF THE TIRE TREAD WAS NOR…

Read full complaint

I WENT TO MY REPAIR SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE. WHEN THE CAR WAS UP IN THE AIR THE TECHNICIAN WAS ALARMED AT MY PASSENGER FRONT TIRE. WE LOOKED AT IT AND THE TIRE HAD ACTUALLY CAVED IN WITH WEAR ALONG THE INSIDE EDGE OF THE TREAD TO THE POINT WHERE IT HAD SEPARATED AND THE STEEL BELTS WERE SHOWING. THE REST OF THE TIRE TREAD WAS NORMAL. THE FRONT WHEELS HAVE LESS THAN A DEGREE OF NEGATIVE CAMBER. I HAVE NOT NOTICED ANY PULLING ONE WAY OR THE OTHER TO INDICATE MISALIGNMENT. THE SHOP PUT MY SPARE ON THE PASENGER FRONT, BUT THE DRIVER FRONT IS ALSO BEGINNING TO SHOW THE SAME PATTERN. BEFORE I BUY NEW TIRES I WANT TO FIND OUT WHY THIS HAPPENED SO IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. I SUSPECT A SHIFTED BELT. I HAVE NOTIFIED KUMHO OF THIS PROBLEM AND SENT THEM A PICTURE. I CAN SEND YOU A PICTURE AND I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM TIRE AVAILABLE. I THINK THIS TIRE COULD HAVE BLOWN ANYTIME, BUT WE CAUGHT THE PROBLEM IN TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10510103

33,000 miles · Jan 26, 2012
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE RADIO STOPPED FUNCTIONING AND A BUZZING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE SPEAKERS. THE BATTERY DRAINED AFTER THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AMPLIFIER FOR TH…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE RADIO STOPPED FUNCTIONING AND A BUZZING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE SPEAKERS. THE BATTERY DRAINED AFTER THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AMPLIFIER FOR THE SOUND SYSTEM DRAINED THE BATTERY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,157. ..UPDATED 02/10/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE AUDIO SYSTEM THAT CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM RESULTING IN THE CAR BATTERY BEING DRAINED. HE WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND IF HE DIDN'T GET IT FIXED, THE PROBLEM WOULD PERSIST AND CONTINUE TO DRAIN THE BATTERY. THE CONSUMER STATED HE FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING WHERE HE OBSERVED THAT NEITHER THE RADIO NOR THE BLUETOOTH LINK WOULD FUNCTION RELIABLY. INSTEAD, THERE WAS A NOTICEABLE LOUD BUZZING SOUND EMANATING FROM THE VEHICLE'S SPEAKERS. EVEN WITH THE IGNITION TURNED OFF, THE FAILURE CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DRAIN OVER TIME. UPDATED 04/26/12

NHTSA ODI #10445506

63,266 miles · Jan 22, 2012
Air BagsSeat Belts

AIR BAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT ON. DEALER FOUND THAT THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT LATCH SWITCH WAS FAULTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10444780

63,266 miles · Jan 22, 2012
Parking BrakeService Brakes, Hydraulic

PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTION LIGHT ON. DEALERS FOUND PARK BRAKE SWITCH WAS FAULTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10444779

33,914 miles · Jan 22, 2012
Air BagsSeat Belts

AIR BAG LIGHT ON, DEALER FOUND FAULT FOR INCORRECT SIGNAL FOR DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH. ALSO FOUND INTERNTAL MALFUCTION WITH LATCH. R&I DRIVERS SEAT AND R&R SEAT BELT LATCH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10444778

63,450 miles · Jan 22, 2012
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

CAR WON'T START, OR TURN OVER, VEHICLE TRANSMISSION STUCK IN PARK. HAVE TO TOW ON DOLLIES ACCOUNT WHEELS LOCKED UP TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP SAYS STEERING LOCK STUCK IN OPEN POSITION AND HAVE TO REPLACE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN ACCOUNT PART IS INTEGRATED WITH STEERING COLUMN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10444769

10 miles · Mar 23, 2011
Tires

NEW MICHELIN TIRES MOUNTED BY TIRERACK ON BBS RIMS. WITHIN 10 MILES, FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WENT FLAT, AND UPON INSPECTION THE VALVE ("VALVE #1") WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. RECEIVED NEW TIRE AND NEW VALVE ("VALVE #2") FROM TIRERACK, WHICH WAS MOUNTED BY MY CAR DEALER. AFTER SITTING FOR ONE HOUR, FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WENT FLAT. UPO…

Read full complaint

NEW MICHELIN TIRES MOUNTED BY TIRERACK ON BBS RIMS. WITHIN 10 MILES, FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WENT FLAT, AND UPON INSPECTION THE VALVE ("VALVE #1") WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. RECEIVED NEW TIRE AND NEW VALVE ("VALVE #2") FROM TIRERACK, WHICH WAS MOUNTED BY MY CAR DEALER. AFTER SITTING FOR ONE HOUR, FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WENT FLAT. UPON INSPECTION, THE SECOND NEW VALVE, VALVE #2, WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. THAT'S TWO DEFECTIVE VALVES OUT OF FIVE, WHICH DOES NOT SEEM TO BE AN ACCEPTABLE FAILURE RATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392700

53,000 miles · Dec 3, 2009
Air BagsElectrical System

THE 2005-2007 AUDI A6 HAS AN INTEGRATED DASHBOARD SYSTEM THAT CONTROLS AND MANAGES THE AUDIO, NAVIGATION, TELEPHONE AND OTHER NON-SAFETY RELATED FEATURES. THE SAME MODULE CONTROLS THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR-BAG. I RECENTLY HAD THE DISPLAY MODULE FOR THE RADIO/NAVIGATION FAIL. THIS ALSO CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM TO FAIL.…

Read full complaint

THE 2005-2007 AUDI A6 HAS AN INTEGRATED DASHBOARD SYSTEM THAT CONTROLS AND MANAGES THE AUDIO, NAVIGATION, TELEPHONE AND OTHER NON-SAFETY RELATED FEATURES. THE SAME MODULE CONTROLS THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR-BAG. I RECENTLY HAD THE DISPLAY MODULE FOR THE RADIO/NAVIGATION FAIL. THIS ALSO CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM TO FAIL. SHOULDN'T SAFETY SYSTEMS IN A CAR BE ON SEPARATED FROM THE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS ? THIS WOULD BE SIMILAR TO HAVING YOUR SEATBELTS FAIL IF THE REAR SEAT DVD PLAYER FAILED, OR YOUR DRIVING LIGHTS STOP WORKING IF A VANITY MIRROR BULB BURNED OUT....I HOPE YOU GET MY POINT. IN VIRGINIA, THE STATE I LIVE IN, ALL CARS REQUIRE AN ANNUAL SAFETY CHECK - AIR BAGS INCLUDED. THE FACT THAT A CAR RADIO CAN CAUSE YOUR AIRBAG TO FAIL JUST SEEMS LIKE POOR PLANNING AND PUTTING PASSENGER SAFETY AT RISK. I HAVE OBSERVED ON THE VARIOUS AUDI FORUMS ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS DISPLAY MODULE FAILURE APPEARS TO BE QUITE COMMON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10294458

Mileage unknown · May 26, 2009
Tires

BUBBLES IN SIDEWALLS OF MICHELIN 245/40R18 MICHELIN PILOT HX MXM4 TIRES. WITH ONLY 24,000 MI. ON THESE TIRES THEY HAD MULTIPLE BUBBLES OR BULGES IN THE INNER AND OUTER SIDEWALLS. THESE BUBBLES ARE VERY DANGEROUS AND CAN BURST OR BE RUPTURED AND CAUSE A BLOWOUT AT ANY TIME. IF THESE BUBBLES WERE ONLY ON THE INNER SIDEWALLS, WE M…

Read full complaint

BUBBLES IN SIDEWALLS OF MICHELIN 245/40R18 MICHELIN PILOT HX MXM4 TIRES. WITH ONLY 24,000 MI. ON THESE TIRES THEY HAD MULTIPLE BUBBLES OR BULGES IN THE INNER AND OUTER SIDEWALLS. THESE BUBBLES ARE VERY DANGEROUS AND CAN BURST OR BE RUPTURED AND CAUSE A BLOWOUT AT ANY TIME. IF THESE BUBBLES WERE ONLY ON THE INNER SIDEWALLS, WE MAY NEVER HAVE NOTICED THEM. THIS MEANS THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE RIGHT NOW RIDING ON TIRES THAT MAY BURST AT ANY MOMENT AND I CONSIDER THIS A MAJOR FLAW IN THESE AND OTHER LOW PROFILE TIRES. THIS SHOULD BE A NATIONAL RECALL AS MANY OF THESE BUBBLES ARE NOT EASILY DETECTED AND ARE WAY TOO COMMON. THE TIRE MANUFACTURES ARE BLAMING THE CONSUMER FOR THIS PROBLEM AND ARE KNOWINGLY ALLOWING THIS PROBLEM TO CONTINUE. MY LOCAL AUDI DEALER SHOWED ME A MOUNTAIN OF THESE DEFECTIVE TIRES! MY TIRES ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AND MICHELIN IS GIVING ME A 50% DISCOUNT ON A NEW SET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269995

32,500 miles · Jul 17, 2008
Electrical SystemCrashInjury

I BOUGHT A USED 2006 AUDI A6 TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. I HAD BEEN USING THE "KEYLESS" OPTION WHEN STARTING AND STOPPING THE VEHICLE. I STOPPED AT A LIBRARY, PUSHED THE BUTTON TWICE TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT IT WAS ROLLING FORWARD. I ATTEMPTED…

Read full complaint

I BOUGHT A USED 2006 AUDI A6 TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. I HAD BEEN USING THE "KEYLESS" OPTION WHEN STARTING AND STOPPING THE VEHICLE. I STOPPED AT A LIBRARY, PUSHED THE BUTTON TWICE TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT IT WAS ROLLING FORWARD. I ATTEMPTED TO STOP IT; I OPENED THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND AS I WAS GETTING IN THE DOOR STRUCK A TRASH CAN IN THE PARKING LOT, KNOCKING ME DOWN. THE VEHICLE'S REAR WHEEL CAUGHT MY LEFT HEEL AND DRUG ME ACROSS A CURB BEFORE STOPPING ON MY LEFT FOOT. SEVERAL MEN IN THE PARKING LOT LIFTED THE VEHICLE OFF MY FOOT. I WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND KEPT FOR INJURIES TO MY LEFT LEG. EVIDENTLY I FAILED TO PUT THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION IN "P" AND HAD LEFT IT IN "D". CARS THAT USE A PHYSICAL KEY TO START AND STOP THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ALLOW A DRIVER TO REMOVE THE KEY UNLESS THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SHIFTED TO "PARK." A VEHICLE THAT DOES NOT UTILIZE A PHYSICAL KEY, DOES NOT THAT BUILT-IN SAFETY FEATURE. FIVE WEEKS LATER I AM IN PHYSICAL THERAPY AND AM GRATEFUL I DID NOT SUSTAIN MORE SERIOUS INJURIES, OR THAT AN INNOCENT BYSTANDER WAS NOT KILLED BY A DRIVERLESS CAR ROLLING THROUGH A PARKING LOT AT A LIBRARY THAT IS FREQUENTED BY CHILDREN. NOW I AM ADAMANT ABOUT ALWAYS SETTING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. MY CONCERN IS REAL: AS MORE AND MORE VEHICLES ARE MANUFACTURED WITH "KEYLESS" IGNITION SYSTEMS THAT CONTAIN NO FAIL-SAFE FEATURE TO PREVENT "INADVERTENT ROLLING" AS EXPLAINED IN THE AUDI'S OWNER'S MANUAL, I BELIEVE MORE INJURIES AND DEATHS WILL BE REALIZED. IN SPEAKING WITH THE REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE AT AUDI, HE EXPLAINED THAT AUDI PUBLISHES A "BOOK" EXPLAINING THE VEHICLE AND WHAT HAPPENED WAS TOTALLY MY FAULT. MY AUDI HAS A SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER THE SEAT THAT PREVENTS AN EXPENSIVE AIRBAG FROM DEPLOYING UNNECESSARILY; HOW ABOUT A SENSOR IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT THAT PREVENTS A VEHICLE FROM ROLLING WHEN THERE IS NO DRIVER? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10234665

Official recalls

4

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.

07V334000 · Structure:body:trunk Lid

Aug 1, 2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE AUTOMATIC REAR LID INCLUDES AN ELECTRIC MOTOR AND CLUTCH THAT WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH TWO GAS STRUTS TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE REAR LID, INCLUDING A MANUAL CLOSE FUNCTION. IF ONE OF THE STRUTS HAS A TOTAL LOSS OF PRESSURE, THE RESULTANT SLOW MOVEMENT OF THE REAR LID IS INTERPRETED BY THE SOFTWARE AS AN INTENDED MANUAL CLOSE AND THE MOTOR CLUTCH RELEASES TO CLOSE THE REAR LID IMMEDIATELY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN AN UNINTENDED RAPID CLOSING OF THE REAR LID WITH A RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI 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.