VehicleVerdict

2006 Audi A6 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 83 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median A6 year — the 2006 model ranks #10 of 33 A6 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: airbags issues account for 48% of all reports (40 of 83), far ahead of electrical system at 13.

83

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other A6 years?

See all A6 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Audi A6 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags4048%
Electrical System1316%
Engine67%
Brakes56%
Steering45%
Transmission34%
Lighting34%
Tires & Wheels34%
Other22%
Seat Belts22%
Speed Control11%
Fuel System11%

Does the 2006 Audi A6 have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V427000AirbagsJune 22, 2018 · 237,947 units

Defect

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

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.

17V032000AirbagsJanuary 11, 2017 · 33,421 units

Defect

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

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.

16V382000AirbagsJune 1, 2016 · 194,453 units

Defect

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

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.

07V334000Body & StructureAugust 1, 2007 · 23,898 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TAKATA RECALL THE PROBLEM WITH THE TAKATA AIRBAGS HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY CONFIRMED FOR YEARS AND THIS IS THE FIRST NOTICE FROM AUDI IN THE TIME WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR (OVER ONE YEAR). HOW IS IT THAT THEY CAN CASUALLY SUGGEST THAT, "AUDI RECOMMENDS AVOIDING USE OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WHENEVER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 3, 2016 · crash

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER 01/27/2005 FOR RECALL REMEDY REPAIRS, #04V133000. DURING THE INCIDENT THE CONTACT'S KNEE PUSH AGAINST THE KNEE BOLSTER LOCATED UNDER THE DASHBOARD, WHICH…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 27, 2006 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT A JUMP START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE REMAINED ON WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 1, 2013

I WAS PARKED AT A STOP LIGHT FACING DOWN A SLIGHT HILL. THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. AFTERWARDS, UPON INSPECTION, IT IS POSSIBLE WHILE AT IDLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH A LITTLE BIT OF PRESSURE TO THE FLOOR. MY FOOT MUST HAVE HIT THE ACCELERATOR WHILE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 3, 2007 · crash

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

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 11, 2012

2006 Audi A6 — common questions

Is the 2006 Audi A6 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 83 complaints put the 2006 model at #10 of 33 A6 years. It is one of the A6 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 A6 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (40 complaints), electrical system (13 complaints), engine (6 complaints).

Does the 2006 Audi A6 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Audi A6. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Audi A6 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the A6 years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2019, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2002, 2012, 2003, 2006, 2013, 2008, 2016, 1996. The cleanest record among A6 years belongs to 2024.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.