RecallPlainVehicle recalls, explained in plain English

2006 Audi A4 recalls & complaints

3 high-risk recalls and 298 owner complaints. Check every recall is completed before buying.
3recalls
3high risk
0stop-driving
298complaints

Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.

3 safety recalls, most serious first

High risk Campaign 18V427000 · announced 22/06/2018 (7 years ago)

1. Airbags

What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. 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.

What could happen: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: 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, 17V03…

What to do

  1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2006 A4.
  2. Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V427000 (manufacturer code 69R7).
  3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
  4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-253-2834.
  5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

High risk Campaign 17V032000 · announced 11/01/2017 (8 years ago)

2. Airbags

What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. 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 Vi…

What could happen: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: 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.

What to do

  1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2006 A4.
  2. Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 17V032000.
  3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
  4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-253-2834.
  5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

High risk Campaign 16V382000 · announced 01/06/2016 (10 years ago)

3. Airbags

What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. 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…

What could happen: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: 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.

What to do

  1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2006 A4.
  2. Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V382000.
  3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
  4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-822-2834.
  5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Useful for owners

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Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

298complaints
9crashes
4fires
5injuries
0deaths

Most complained-about parts: Lights (160), Airbags (74), Engine (22), Electrical system (22), Transmission / drivetrain (15).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.

Read recent complaints (8)

09/13/2022 · Fuel system
Gas gauge displaying incorrect level of fuel. Oil level notification improperly displaying level of oil.

11/08/2021 · Airbags · crash
The contact owns a 2006 Audi A4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the wife crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. During the crash the front driver side air bag did not deploy, however, the passenger side airbag did deploy, and both the front and rear driver side and passenger side headrest restraints activated. The contact in…

09/28/2020 · Airbags
PURCHASED THE VEHICLE A FEW MONTHS AGO (JULY OF 2020). BEFORE BUYING IT I WAS TOLD THAT THE WARNING CHIME FOR THE SEATBELT HAD STOPPED WORKING , SO I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL GERMAN AUTO SHOP TO SEE WHAT WOULD NEEDED TO FIX IT. TO MY SURPRISE, IT'S A PART IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT IT'S A COMMON ISSUE AS THESE CARS AGE FOR THE…

09/15/2020 · Engine
AUDI ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN THAT I FOUND ON YOUR WEBSITE. THIS BULLETIN WAS REGARDING THE EXACT PARTS THE DEALER (AUDI) IDENTIFIED AS BEING AFFECTED ON MY CAR (HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, CAM FOLLOWER, AND CORRESPONDING INTAKE CAMSHAFT CAM LOBE). THIS BULLETIN (NOT A RECALL, BUT DISTRIBUTED INTERNALLY TO DEALERSHIPS) CLEARLY STATES THAT THIS IS…

08/14/2020 · Airbags · crash
MY PERSONAL AUDI A4 WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION ON AN INNER-CITY ROAD DUE TO LOSS OF FRICTION ON FROZEN ICE. DESPITE THERE ONLY BEING A DRIVER PRESENT IN THE CAR, THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG FROM THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT ACTIVATE WHILE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DID. I HAD ALREADY PREVIOUSLY CHECKED THE TAKATA RECALL, WHICH AFFECT THE EXACT MODEL OF M…

10/29/2019 · Lights
LEFT HEAD LIGHT FLICKERS AND SHUTS ITSELF OFF AFTER VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AND THE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. THE WARNING DISPLAY ON THE DASHBOARD GIVES A "LEFT HEADLIGHT LEVEL" ERROR CODE.

10/03/2019 · Unknown Or Other
I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM JOHN AND HE STATED HE DROVE IT APPX 30-40K MILES SINCE HE RECEIVED THE CAR. BUT IN 2016 THE MILES ON THE PINK SLIP SAYS 149214 AND NOW THE MILES ARE AT 150700. I BELIEVE HE TAMPERED WITH THE ODOMETER, TURNED IT OFF AND DROVE THE CAR WITHOUT THE ODOMETER ON. WHEN I ASKED HIM HE SAID IN THE LAST 3- 4 YEARS HE DROVE IT 30-40K MILES. I…

02/09/2019 · Lights
VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS. WHEN I TURN THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM GOES OUT.

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