2006 Audi A6 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2006 Audi A6 has a complaint index of 70, ranking 7th worst out of 21 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. Airbags account for 60% of complaints, driven largely by Takata inflator recalls, with a median failure mileage of 80,000.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 70/100
- #7 of 21 A6 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 67
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19.5
- 16.5 city / 24.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2006 Audi A6 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags40 (60%)
- Electrical System15 (22%)
- Engine7 (10%)
- Brakes4 (6%)
- Steering4 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (4%)
- Other2 (3%)
- Seat Belts2 (3%)
- Fuel System1 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Passenger frontal airbag inflators tied to Takata recalls raised concerns about safety even years after purchase, with owners advised to avoid using the front passenger seat until repairs were done.
- An electrical short at the headlight switch wiring harness, linked to a knee bolster contact point, was reported to have caused a fire while driving at 50 mph.
- The engine reportedly stalled or lost power unexpectedly during turns or while moving, sometimes recovering after a few seconds, in more than one case near low mileage.
- A persistent thumping noise from the rear axle area at full stop and a squeal when turning sharply and slowly were reported, with the automaker unable to duplicate or resolve it.
- An ignition coil failure occurred just past warranty expiration, which owners linked to a known issue addressed by recalls on earlier model years but not yet on their own.
- A radio and navigation display module failure was reported to also disable the driver's side airbag system because both functions share the same control module.
2006 Audi A6 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V427000Jun 22, 2018Airbags237,947 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 17V032000Jan 11, 2017Airbags33,421 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 16V382000Jun 1, 2016Airbags194,453 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
Risk: 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.
2006 Audi A6 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16.5 MPG
- Highway
- 24.5 MPG
- Combined
- 19.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,100
- 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 A6 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Audi A6 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2006 A6 has a complaint index of 70, ranking 7th worst of 21 model years, with a Caution verdict. It is not the worst year but sits above the model's median in reported problems.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2006 Audi A6?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 60% of the 67 complaints filed, largely tied to Takata inflator recalls. Median mileage at failure for airbag issues was 80,000.
- Does the 2006 Audi A6 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2006 Audi A6, three covering airbag inflators and one covering a rear lid closing mechanism software fix. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2006 Audi A6 compare to other A6 years?
- With a complaint index of 70, the 2006 A6 ranks better than 2005, 2008, 2013, and 2019 (all rated Avoid) but worse than years like 2009, 2010, 2017, and 2018, which are rated Good or Best.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2006 Audi A6?
- EPA rates the 2006 Audi A6 at 19.5 mpg combined (16.5 city / 24.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100.