2006 Audi A8 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2006 Audi A8 ranks 14th of 21 model years with a complaint index of 35 and a Good verdict. It has 6 NHTSA complaints, 2 airbag recalls, and no crashes, fires, or injuries reported.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 35/100
- #14 of 21 A8 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 6
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2006 Audi A8 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine3 (50%)
- Electrical System2 (33%)
- Fuel System1 (17%)
- Structure & Body1 (17%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report unintended acceleration where pressing the brake made the engine race faster instead of slowing down.
- Some describe the engine surging or revving to 7,000 RPM on its own, forcing them to shift into neutral to regain control.
- Water intrusion into the footwells caused electrical damage inside the cabin.
- The driver-side door closing mechanism failed, at times preventing the door from opening or closing properly.
- Headlight wiring inside the assembly cracked and became bare, causing the headlight to go out.
2006 Audi A8 recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 06V454000Nov 30, 2006Airbags5,902 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
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.
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.
- NHTSA 05V522000Nov 16, 2005Airbags1,530 vehicles
Air bags
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.
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.
2006 Audi A8 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,450
- 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 A8 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Audi A8 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 A8 has a Good verdict with a complaint index of 35, ranking 14th out of 21 model years for this model.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Audi A8?
- NHTSA complaints for the 2006 A8 are led by the engine, making up 50% of complaints, followed by electrical system issues at 33% and single reports involving the fuel system and structure & body.
- Does the 2006 Audi A8 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2006 A8, both involving airbags: one from November 2005 covering a wiring harness that could deactivate the passenger airbag, and one from November 2006 covering a low battery voltage issue that could disable the passenger airbag.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2006 Audi A8?
- The 2006 A8 gets an EPA-rated 18 mpg combined (16 city / 22 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450.
- How does the 2006 Audi A8 compare to other A8 years?
- The 2006 model year has a lower complaint index (35) than years like 2013 (100) and 2011 (80), which carry Avoid verdicts, making 2006 one of the better years for this model.