2006 Audi A4

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Visibility & Lighting

Visibility & Lighting leads by volume: 160 of 295 complaints (54%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (4) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Complaints filed rose from 219 in 2005 to 295 in 2006.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.Also cataloged for 2006: 6 configuration(s) of a different vehicle class, excluded from the comparison bar only (but included in the figures above).
Category20042005200620072008vs. 2006 Compact Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)3,350–4,1003,250–4,1003,250–4,3003,250–4,1003,250–4,100
Combined MPG19–2319–2418–2419–2419–24
City / Highway MPG16–20 / 23–2916–21 / 24–3115–21 / 23–3115–21 / 25–3115–21 / 25–31
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)386–468370–468370–494370–468370–468
Complaints filed189219295196175Not compared
Recalls issued34334Not compared
Crash-involved complaints87848Not compared
Fire-involved complaints33401Not compared
Injuries reported68544Not compared
Deaths reported00000Not compared
Configurations compared712777

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Audi A4 have?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 2006 Audi A4?

Visibility & Lighting: 160 of 295 NHTSA complaints (54%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2006 Audi A4 get?

EPA rates it 18–24 MPG combined.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2006 Audi A4?

EPA estimates $3,250–$4,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

EPA-Rated Configurations (13)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic (variable gear ratios)41.8LFront-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars20 mpg28 mpg23 mpg$3,350386 g/mi
Configuration 2Automatic (S5)63.0L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars16 mpg23 mpg (low)18 mpg (low)$4,300 (high)494 g/mi (high)
Configuration 3Automatic (variable gear ratios)42.0LFront-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars21 mpg (high)30 mpg24 mpg (high)$3,250 (low)370 g/mi (low)
Configuration 4Manual 6-spd42.0LFront-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars20 mpg31 mpg (high)24 mpg (high)$3,250 (low)370 g/mi (low)
Configuration 5Automatic (variable gear ratios)63.1LFront-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars18 mpg27 mpg21 mpg$3,700423 g/mi
Configuration 6Manual 6-spd42.0L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars20 mpg28 mpg23 mpg$3,350386 g/mi
Configuration 7Automatic (S6)42.0L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars19 mpg27 mpg22 mpg$3,500404 g/mi
Configuration 8Manual 6-spd63.1L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars15 mpg (low)25 mpg19 mpg$4,100468 g/mi
Configuration 9Automatic (S6)63.1L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars17 mpg25 mpg20 mpg$3,900444 g/mi
Configuration 10Manual 6-spd42.0L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremiumSmall Station Wagons20 mpg28 mpg23 mpg$3,350386 g/mi
Configuration 12Manual 6-spd63.1L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremiumSmall Station Wagons15 mpg (low)25 mpg19 mpg$4,100468 g/mi
Show 2 more configurations
The remaining EPA-rated configurations on this page.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 11Automatic (S6)42.0L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremiumSmall Station Wagons19 mpg27 mpg22 mpg$3,500404 g/mi
Configuration 13Automatic (S6)63.1L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremiumSmall Station Wagons17 mpg25 mpg20 mpg$3,900444 g/mi

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine210300
Transmission & Drivetrain140000
Fuel System100100
Electrical210100
Brakes71000
Steering50000
Suspension, Wheels & Tires20000
Airbags & Restraints736040
Driver Assistance & Speed Control70000
Body, Seats & Latches50000
Visibility & Lighting1601010
Other90000

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (3)

  • AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 18V427000 · Jun 26, 2018

    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.

  • AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 17V032000 · Jan 13, 2017

    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.

  • AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 16V382000 · May 31, 2016

    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.