2006 Audi A8 recalls and problems

The 2006 Audi A8 has 2 recalls and 6 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is vehicle speed control.

Pictured: a 2005 model; the 2006 may differ in details. Photo: 2005 Audi A8 by BrokenSphere, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How the 2006 compares

Average

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Average complaint count among 21 A8 model years — 13th most.

2recalls

6complaints

0crashes

0fires

0injuries

44,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

2 recalls

Air Bags

Nov 30, 2006 · NHTSA campaign 06V454000 · 5,902 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Risk: If the case of a frontal crash, the passenger side front air bag would not deploy which could cause injury to the seat occupant.

Original NHTSA wording

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 & notes

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.

Vw/Audi recall no. Jr.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Air Bags

Nov 16, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V522000 · 1,530 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Risk: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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 & notes

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.

Volkswagen recall no. Jj. Customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Vehicle Speed Control3

Electrical System2

Exterior Lighting1

Fuel System1

Latches/locks/linkages1

Structure1

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2006 vs. other Audi A8 years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2006. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2006 Audi A8 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns covering the 2006 Audi A8, the latest from Nov 30, 2006 (air bags). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Audi A8?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention vehicle speed control (3), electrical system (2), exterior lighting (1). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.