2006 Audi A4 Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026

Caution

Ranks 18th of 24 A4 years we score.

Owner complaints: 328; 69 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 54.3; 47,677 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 1.2×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 44; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 4
NHTSA crash rating: Not rated; no overall rating before 2011

← 2005 A4 2007 A4 →

Should You Buy the 2006 Audi A4?

Only after careful checks. Our reliability score for the 2006 Audi A4 is 68 out of 100, which rates Caution. Owners reported about as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 18th of the 24 A4 years we score.

The most reported problem is the headlights, mostly works on and off (179 of 328 complaints). Owners also complain about the steering and the timing chain or camshaft. 44 of the 328 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 4 recalls. Audi also offers five warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the engine, transmission, lights and airbags. For comparison, the 2007 scores 76.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask an Audi dealer about the warranty extension for intake runner control motor and PCV valve faults and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
5 Audi warranty extensions may cover repairs

Cons

Headlights: works on and off179 complaints
Steering: vibration or shudder6 complaints
Timing chain or camshaft: early wear6 complaints
First year of a new generation

How the 2006 A4 Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	0.74×	−15
Everyday problems	2.3×	−11
Problems in the last two years	Not counted	–
Recalls	1.1×	−6
Score		68

Problems in the last two years are not counted for the 2006 A4. If it were exactly average, its 47,677 cars would draw about 1.6 complaints in two years at this age, too few to compare. Their 30% moves to serious and everyday problems, which count for 80% of this score instead of 50%.

What Owners Report

We read all 328 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Audi A4, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Headlights: works on and off
179 complaints (55%)
Problems that come and go, a failure and a feature that stopped working. 28 of these 179 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of visibility. In 27 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem, and in 12 it came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 55,000 miles.
Steering: vibration or shudder
6 complaints (2%)
Vibration or shudder, a failure and parts breaking or coming apart. Median mileage when it started: about 4,000 miles.
Timing chain or camshaft: early wear
6 complaints (2%)
Early wear, a failure and damage. Median mileage when it started: about 91,000 miles.
Transmission: failure or loss of drive
6 complaints (2%)
Failure or loss of drive, a loss of power and reduced power or limp mode. 2 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 50,000 miles.
Engine failure: damage
5 complaints (2%)
Damage. Median mileage when it started: about 83,000 miles.
Airbag warning light
4 complaints (1%)
Warning lights and a stored fault code.
Ignition coils or spark plugs: a fire
4 complaints (1%)
A fire, a failure that needed a new part and rough running or misfires. 2 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a fire. Median mileage when it started: about 60,000 miles.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
4 complaints (1%)
Sudden acceleration. All 4 describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 32,000 miles.
Brakes: the system acting on its own
3 complaints (under 1%)
The system acting on its own and unusual noises.
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
3 complaints (under 1%)
No deployment in a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 90,000 miles.
Oil pressure failure
3 complaints (under 1%)
A failure and warning lights. Median mileage when it started: about 84,000 miles.
Cam follower failure
3 complaints (under 1%)
A failure and early wear. Median mileage when it started: about 110,000 miles.
Transmission computer failure
3 complaints (under 1%)
A failure and a loss of power. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
CVT: failure or loss of drive
2 complaints (under 1%)
Failure or loss of drive. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Airbags failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure and no deployment in a crash.

Show 13 more problems

Cooling system: a leak
2 complaints (under 1%)
A leak. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a tow.
Dual-clutch transmission: harsh or delayed shifts
2 complaints (under 1%)
Harsh or delayed shifts and failure or loss of drive. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a tow.
Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
2 complaints (under 1%)
Burning or using oil.
High-pressure fuel pump: damage
2 complaints (under 1%)
Damage and a failure.
Instrument cluster: stopped working
2 complaints (under 1%)
A feature that stopped working.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
Reduced power or limp mode. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Convertible top rear window: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (under 1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart.
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
Hesitation.
Tires: damage
2 complaints (under 1%)
Damage.
Torque converter failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure and a leak.
Valve train: damage
2 complaints (under 1%)
Damage.
Vibration (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
Vibration or shudder. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: an injury.
Windows or locks or sunroof (operate by themselves): the system acting on its own
2 complaints (under 1%)
The system acting on its own.

Reported Once (23)

Show the 23 problems reported once

A/C compressor: stopped working
PCV valve or crankcase breather failure
Battery drain: draining the battery
Carbon buildup (intake valves): damage
Engine oil sludge: damage
Engine sensors or computer: wrong readings
Exterior lights: works on and off
Fuel gauge or level sensor: wrong readings
Fuel pump failure
Interior trim: parts breaking or coming apart
Manual transmission or clutch failure
Accelerator pedal: sticking or stiffness
Engine timing (drive type not stated) failure
Floor mat: sticking or stiffness
Vehicle fire (cause not stated)
Parking brake: the car rolling away
Power windows or regulator failure
Seats: not closing or latching
Stability control (ESC): warning lights
Stall (cause not stated)
Taillights or brake lights: the system acting on its own
Turbocharger failure
Wheel bearings failure

How the 2006 Audi A4 Compares With Other Years

The other A4 years of the 3rd generation (B7), 2006 to 2008, and the years just before and after it.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2009	Good	74	0.68×	25.1	6	Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
2008	Good	77	0.49×	17.8	6	Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
2007	Good	76	0.57×	22.4	5	Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
2006 This year	Caution	68	1.2×	54.3	4	Headlights: works on and off
2005	Caution	67	1.3×	48.4	3	Headlights: works on and off

See every A4 year

2006 Audi A4 Recalls

Four recalls cover the 2006 Audi A4. The most recent was issued in June 2018: “Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 18V427000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 22, 2018. By the third quarter of 2019, 41% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, January 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 17V032000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 11, 2017. By the second quarter of 2018, 17% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, June 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 16V382000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 1, 2016. By the second quarter of 2018, 33% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 16V079000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Feb 10, 2016. By the second quarter of 2018, 40% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

2006 Audi A4 Warranty Extensions and Programs

Audi has five warranty extensions and one service campaign for the 2006 Audi A4, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the engine, transmission, lights and airbags. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which an Audi dealer can check.

Warranty extension
Intake runner control motor and PCV valve faults
The problem:
Under certain conditions the intake manifold runner control motor and the PCV valve can work poorly. Fault codes may then turn on the check engine light.
The fix:
An Audi dealer runs a diagnosis scan and replaces the intake runner control motor and the PCV valve for free if needed.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2.0 TFSI cars: 2006 A4, 2007 to 2009 A4 and A4 Cabriolet, 2006 to 2008 A3, and 2008 and 2009 TT. Other causes of the warning light and damage from tuned engine computers are not covered.
Coverage:
10 years or 120,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extension
PCV valve fault with check engine light
The problem:
Under certain conditions the positive crankcase ventilation, or PCV, valve can work poorly. Fault codes may then turn on the check engine light.
The fix:
An Audi dealer runs a diagnosis scan and replaces the PCV valve for free if needed.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2.0 TFSI cars: 2006 to 2008 A3, 2006 to 2009 A4, 2007 to 2009 A4 Cabriolet, 2008 and 2009 TT, 2009 to 2011 TTS. Other causes of the warning light and damage from tuned engine computers are not covered.
Coverage:
10 years or 120,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-13-04
CVT transmission and control module failures
The problem:
The bulletin names no symptom. Under a class action settlement, Audi extended the warranty on parts of the factory CVT transmission.
The fix:
An Audi dealer diagnoses and repairs or replaces the covered CVT parts. Which parts are covered depends on the model year.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2002 to 2006 A4 and A6 with the factory CVT. Control module: 2003 to 2006. Valve body: 2003 and 2004. Rest of the transmission: 2002 to 2004, only with proof of the owner's manual transmission maintenance.
Coverage:
10 years or 100,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-13-06
HID headlight control unit and bulb failures
The problem:
The bulletin names no symptom. Under a settlement, Audi extended the warranty on factory HID headlight control units and, on some cars, the HID bulbs.
The fix:
An Audi dealer repairs or replaces the HID headlight control units, or the HID bulbs on 2005 A4 B6 cars.
Who qualifies:
Control units: certain 2005 and 2006 A4 B7 with factory HID headlights. Bulbs: certain 2005 A4 B6. Damage from accidents, misuse, neglect or storms is not covered.
Coverage:
5 years or 50,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first. A problem documented within that time is still covered later.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-22-04
Takata driver or passenger airbag inflator failure
The problem:
The driver or passenger Takata airbag inflator can fail from a defect. This extension is for cars in the Takata inflator recall.
The fix:
An Audi dealer diagnoses the inflators and replaces a failed inflator for free. Inoperable or totaled cars and salvage, rebuilt or flood titles are not covered.
Who qualifies:
Cars in the Takata recall. After the main term, coverage lasts 75,000 miles from the recall repair or a time limit, whichever is greater: November 10, 2023, or 2 years if repaired after November 10, 2021.
Coverage:
10 years from the recall repair or 150,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first. Then a further period applies.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Service campaignAudi 24T3
Intake runner control motor replaced before failure
The problem:
The intake runner control motor, also called the intake manifold flap actuator, may fail on 2.0 TFSI engines built in a certain period. The campaign aims to prevent this.
The fix:
An Audi dealer checks the motor's part number. If it does not match the numbers Audi lists, the dealer fits the new part.
Who qualifies:
2.0 TFSI cars in set VIN ranges: 2006 to 2008 A3 and A4, 2007 and 2008 A4 Cabriolet, 2008 TT. The campaign must still be open on the car's VIN.
Coverage:
Free while the car is still within the intake runner motor warranty extension. Ask an Audi dealer for the exact terms.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA gave the 2006 A4 no overall, frontal or side rating. It did rate each seat in those tests and lists the seat ratings under Rating Breakdown on its page. We show them the same way below. These tests are from before 2011, so the stars are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and newer models. See the 2006 A4 ratings on NHTSA.gov.

4-door and S4 4-door, all with side airbags

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Driver seat4/5

Passenger seat4/5

Side crashNot rated

Front seat5/5

Rear seat4/5

Rollover4/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2006 A4, from its four recalls, five Audi warranty extensions that may still apply and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA 18V427000
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, January 2017 NHTSA 17V032000
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, June 2016 NHTSA 16V382000
Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture NHTSA 16V079000

Ask an Audi Dealer

Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

Intake runner control motor and PCV valve faults
PCV valve fault with check engine light
AWA-13-04: CVT transmission and control module failures
AWA-13-06: HID headlight control unit and bulb failures
AWA-22-04: takata driver or passenger airbag inflator failure

On the Test Drive

Turn the wheel fully left and right, parked and at low speed. Sticking, notches or stiffness are warning signs.
Accelerate gently from a stop and again at 20 to 40 mph. Shudder, slipping or harsh shifts are warning signs. Ask for the transmission fluid records.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Headlights
Steering
Timing chain or camshaft
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All A4 Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Audi may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.