2006 Audi A8
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Driver Assistance & Speed Control
Driver Assistance & Speed Control leads by volume: 3 of 6 complaints (50%) mention it.
Complaints filed held steady at 6 in both 2005 and 2006.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | vs. 2006 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,300 | 4,300–5,150 | 4,300–5,150 | 4,300–5,150 | 4,300–5,150 | |
| Combined MPG | 18 | 15–18 | 15–18 | 15–18 | 15–18 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16 / 22 | 13–16 / 19–22 | 13–16 / 19–22 | 13–16 / 19–23 | 13–16 / 19–23 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 494 | 494–592 | 494–592 | 494–592 | 494–592 | |
| Complaints filed | 20 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 8 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
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 A8 have?
2 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 A8?
Driver Assistance & Speed Control: 3 of 6 NHTSA complaints (50%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Audi A8 get?
EPA rates it 15–18 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2006 Audi A8?
EPA estimates $4,300–$5,150 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 8 | 4.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 16 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | 18 mpg (high) | $4,300 (low) | 494 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 8 | 4.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 16 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | 18 mpg (high) | $4,300 (low) | 494 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 12 | 6.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 13 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | 15 mpg (low) | $5,150 (high) | 592 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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 (2)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · Campaign 06V454000 · Nov 30, 2006
Defect: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES WHERE A WEAK BATTERY EXISTS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT A LOW VOLTAGE CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT TO IMPROPERLY SET A FAULT CODE. IF THIS OCCURS, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG WILL BECOME DEACTIVATED. HOWEVER, BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AS WELL AS THE 'PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF' TELLTALE IN THE CENTER OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL ILLUMINATE AND PROVIDE VISUAL WARNING TO THE DRIVER.
Consequence: IF THE CASE OF A FRONTAL CRASH, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 5, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
AIR BAGS · Campaign 05V522000 · Nov 16, 2005
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A WIRING HARNESS CONDITION EXISTS THAT MAY DEACTIVATE THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG EVEN UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN IT SHOULD REMAIN ACTIVATED.
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" TELLTALE IN THE CENTER OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL PROPERLY ILLUMINATE. CONSEQUENTLY, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE CASE OF A FRONTAL CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE WIRING HARNESS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.