2006 Audi A6: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
67 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 33 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 39 of 67 complaints (58.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 9.0% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 9.0% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 6.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 4.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 39 |
| Electrical System | 12 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
Air Bags: 39; Electrical System: 12; Engine: 4; Steering: 4; Exterior Lighting: 3; Power Train: 2; Seat Belts: 2; Service Brakes: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 5
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 34 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 25 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2006: 4; 2007: 1; 2008: 3; 2009: 2; 2011: 1; 2012: 5; 2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 3; 2016: 10; 2017: 25; 2018: 5; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10160974 · 2006-06-28 (June 28, 2006)
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 MADE CONTACT WITH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WIRING HARNESS, AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OCCURRED AND RESULTED IN A FIRE. UPDATED 8/14/2006 - *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 57,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10160974 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10161359 · 2006-07-04 (July 4, 2006)
WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM A STOP LIGHT THE 2006 AUDI A6 "DIED" AND DID NOT RESPOND TO THE DEPRESSED ACCELERATOR AFTER A COUPLE OF SECONDS IT RESPONDED. WE WERE ALMOST REAR-ENDED BY A FOLLOWING CAR. THIS HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES ONCE WHILE TURNING RIGHT AND ONCE PULLING FORWARD FROM A STOP. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 5,320 miles reported. Look up ODI 10161359 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10165107 · 2006-08-10 (August 10, 2006)
THERE IS A CONSTANT THUMPING EMANATING FROM THE REAR AXLE AREA OF THE CAR, MOST NOTABLY AT FULL STOP. AUDI SAYS THEY ARE AWARE OF IT BUT DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT. ALSO THERE IS A SQUEAL WHEN TURNING SHARPLY AND SLOWLY, BUT AUDI SAYS THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE IT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10165107 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10170950 · 2006-10-16 (October 16, 2006)
I HAVE A 2006 AUDI A6 WITH VIN NUMBER [VIN removed]. ON SEPTEMBER 21ST WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN MY OFFICE PARKING LOT, THE TRANSMISSION DROPPED DEAD WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE CAR. I STOPPED THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED THE CAR AND IT CAME BACK. I HAD THE SAME ISSUE ON SEPTEMBER 26TH, AFTER PULLING OFF MY DRIVEWAY AND AFTER I WAS EXITING MY HOME THE CAR DIED AGAIN LUCKILY I WAS ON LOCAL ROAD AND THIS TIME AFTER STARTING THE CAR, I STARTED GETTING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I CONTACTED AUDI DEALER AND WAS ABLE TO…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,050 miles reported. Look up ODI 10170950 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10197564 · 2007-07-26 (July 26, 2007)
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 THE BRAKE WAS SLOWLY BEING DEPRESSED. THE HARDER I TRIED TO BRAKE THE FASTER THE CAR WENT. I VISITED THE AUDI DEALER AND WE TRIED THIS EXPERIMENT IN A SIMILAR MODEL WITH THE SAME RESULT. THE DEALER SAYS THIS IS PART OF THE DESIGN! IT IS NOT POS…
Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10197564 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10222212 · 2008-03-24 (March 24, 2008)
MY 2006 AUDI A6 LOST ALL ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THIS HAPPENED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS REFUSED TO TAKE THE CAR BACK, DESPITE THE LIFE THREATENING SAFETY CONCERNS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE NOTICED OTHER POSTED COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10222212 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10227866 · 2008-05-15 (May 15, 2008)
I HAVE A 2006 AUDI A6 3.2 QUATTRO. IT HAS 53,215 MILES ON IT. SO 3,215 MILES AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRES SO DOES THE IGNITION COIL WHICH HAS BEEN RECALLED ON ALMOST EVERY MODEL YEAR UP 2005 FOR THE LAST 5-6 YEARS. BUT IT'S NOT ON RECALL FOR MY CAR YET. TO ME IF THEY HAVE HAD A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE COILS THAT THEY SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM OR BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THEY SAID BECAUSE THERE IS NO CURRENT RECALL THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO, AND THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE HAD A RECALL FOR ALL THERE CARS FOR THE LAST 6 YEARS MEANS NOTHING.…
Owner-reported narrative. 53,215 miles reported. Look up ODI 10227866 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10234665 · 2008-07-17 (July 17, 2008)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 32,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10234665 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
07V334000 · Structure:Body:Trunk Lid
Reported: 2007-08-01 (August 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V382000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2016-06-01 (June 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V032000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2017-01-11 (January 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V427000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2018-06-22 (June 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗