2006 Audi A3 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2006 Audi A3 ranks 2nd worst of 19 model years, with a complaint index of 94 and 123 complaints, mostly airbags (46%) and transmission/powertrain (30%). It carries 4 recalls and is rated Avoid relative to other A3 years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 94/100
- #2 of 19 A3 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 123
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2006 Audi A3 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags56 (46%)
- Transmission & Powertrain37 (30%)
- Electrical System15 (12%)
- Fuel System10 (8%)
- Engine9 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (3%)
- Other3 (2%)
- Brakes1 (1%)
- Seat Belts1 (1%)
- Steering1 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy during moderate-speed collisions, leaving occupants without protection.
- Airbags deploy unexpectedly and forcefully after driving over a raised manhole cover or similar minor road impact at low speed.
- Transmission failure occurs early in ownership, sometimes within months and just a few thousand miles, with repairs delayed by parts shortages.
- A fuel pump intermittently cuts off in hot weather above 90°F, causing the engine to stall momentarily during acceleration.
- An engine coolant line flange fails and drains coolant from the vehicle, with dealers reporting the part is on back order.
- Electrical faults disable the horn and turn signals, sometimes requiring steering column replacement and rewiring.
2006 Audi A3 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V082000Jan 30, 2018Airbags162,782 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
- NHTSA 16V079000Feb 10, 2016Airbags151,767 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2006 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons, 2005-2013 Audi A3, and 2006-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
- NHTSA 09V377000Sep 30, 2009Fuel System10,200 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2010 audi a3, tt, and tt roadster passenger vehicles manufactured between september 29, 2005 and august 26, 2009. The closing force of an internal spring of the fuel tank ventilation valve is not adequate enough to hold the valve closed under extreme driving conditions possibly allowing fuel to leak.
Risk: In the presence of an ignition source, a vehicle fire could occur.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and audi dealers will replace the fuel tank ventilation valve with an improved valve free of charge. The safety recall began on november 16, 2009. Owners may contact audi at 1-800-253-2834.
2006 Audi A3 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other A3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Audi A3 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 A3 ranks 2nd worst of 19 model years with a complaint index of 94, so it is rated Avoid relative to other A3 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Audi A3?
- NHTSA data shows airbags account for 46% of complaints (56 of 123) and transmission/powertrain issues account for 30% (37 complaints), with a median failure mileage of 72,000 miles overall.
- Does the 2006 Audi A3 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2006 A3, covering airbag inflator replacement (two separate campaigns), a side curtain airbag inflation module leak, and a fuel tank ventilation valve issue.
- How does the 2006 Audi A3 compare to other years?
- The 2006 A3 has a complaint index of 94, worse than 2007 (39), 2008 (44), and 2013 (28), which are rated Good, but similar in severity to 2016 (100), the worst-ranked year.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2006 Audi A3?
- The 2006 A3 gets 24 mpg combined (21 city/29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,300.