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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Exterior Lighting complaints

159 reports
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27,524 miles · May 5, 2010
Exterior Lighting

AUDI A4 B7 BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS FAIL DURING DRIVING AT NIGHT. ERROR MESSAGE "HEADLIGHT DIPPED" IS SHOWN IN THE DISPLAY. NO FAULT CODE IS GENERATED. HAD THE CHANCE TO SHOOT A VIDEO OF THE FAILED LIGHT ON THE 1ST OF MARCH 2010: HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=8AI0XDBIC-A PROBLEM IS OCCURRING SINCE OCTOBER 2009. WAS REPORTED TO AUDI,…

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AUDI A4 B7 BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS FAIL DURING DRIVING AT NIGHT. ERROR MESSAGE "HEADLIGHT DIPPED" IS SHOWN IN THE DISPLAY. NO FAULT CODE IS GENERATED. HAD THE CHANCE TO SHOOT A VIDEO OF THE FAILED LIGHT ON THE 1ST OF MARCH 2010: HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=8AI0XDBIC-A PROBLEM IS OCCURRING SINCE OCTOBER 2009. WAS REPORTED TO AUDI, BUT AUDI DID NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE AT THAT TIME SINCE THERE WAS NO FAULT CODE SAVED IN THE SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328914

50,000 miles · May 1, 2010
Exterior Lighting

PROBLEM: FRONT HEAD LIGHTS FLICKER AND TURNS OFF, UPON CYCLING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, THE LIGHT COMES BACK. CONDITION: THIS HAPPENS MAINLY DURING COLD WEATHER (BELOW 45-DEGREE F) TO BOTH HEADS LIGHTS. ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE IN FIRST GEAR, WHEN THE CAR IS ENGAGING THE TRANSMISSION TO START MOVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328343

62,000 miles · Apr 30, 2010
Exterior Lighting

LEFT HEADLIGHT WILL INTERMITTENTLY FLICKER FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND THEN COMPLETELY GO OUT. PROBLEM IS RANDOM, HOWEVER HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR MONTHS. THE ONLY WAY TO REIGNITE THE HEADLIGHT IS BY TURNING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH TO THE OFF POSITION AND BACK TO THE ON POSITION. AUDI DEALER HAS REPLACED HEADLIGHT BULB (AT A COST), HO…

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LEFT HEADLIGHT WILL INTERMITTENTLY FLICKER FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND THEN COMPLETELY GO OUT. PROBLEM IS RANDOM, HOWEVER HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR MONTHS. THE ONLY WAY TO REIGNITE THE HEADLIGHT IS BY TURNING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH TO THE OFF POSITION AND BACK TO THE ON POSITION. AUDI DEALER HAS REPLACED HEADLIGHT BULB (AT A COST), HOWEVER THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328306

29,330 miles · Apr 22, 2010
Exterior Lighting

CAR: 2006 AUDI A4 AVANT. SAFETY ISSUE: HEADLIGHTS FLICKER AND TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING. LIGHTS MUST BE TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON IN ORDER TO REILLUMINATE. THE FLICKER IS VERY COMMON AND IS AN ANNOYANCE. THE SHUTTING OFF HAPPENS PERIODICALLY. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT CAN HAPPEN AT HIGH SPEED OR IN A CORNER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10326937

68,120 miles · Apr 12, 2010
Exterior Lighting

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 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

NHTSA ODI #10325079

58,000 miles · Apr 8, 2010
Exterior Lighting

2006 AUDI A4. THE LEFT HEADLIGHT SOMETIMES DIPS WHEN ITS COLD OUT. LIGHT COMES ON AND SAID LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10324606

65,000 miles · Mar 26, 2010
Exterior Lighting

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.

NHTSA ODI #10322243

Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2010
Exterior Lighting

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

NHTSA ODI #10319019

58,000 miles · Mar 9, 2010
Exterior Lighting

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

NHTSA ODI #10318081

Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2010
Exterior Lighting

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

NHTSA ODI #10310272

Official recalls

3

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.

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.