KnownCarProblems2006 Audi A3 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 123 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Audi A3, most often about the air bags (46% of complaints, typically around 120,000 miles). It is the most complained-about A3 model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2006 Audi A3 problems
Air bags
56 complaints · 46%Half of these problems showed up before 120,000 miles. Parts named most often: on-off switch assembly, frontal.
Takata recall - since the parts aren't available to repair my vehicle I haven't been able to sell it. I wanted to sell it since march and I believe the recall was announced in feb. The dealership can't fix it, won't take it in on trade or sell on consignment due to the recall. So I'm stuck, and the vehicle continues…
"takata recall" just contacted the Audi dealer in san antonio and the service department told they have no part to replace the airbags, which is totally unsat. Their contact information is: Audi north park , selma, san antonio tx ([phone]
Transmission
37 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 71,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.
From a stopped position on a side street in a left hand turn lane I stepped on the gas pedal and the car started to move then immediately had a loss of power in making a left hand turn onto a major street. The car lurched forward then hesitated. It is really dangerous because it can surprise people and cause cars to…
2nd time this has happened in just a few days. I want to start documenting every time this has happened. I was pulling into fast moving traffic from a side street. I was making a left hand turn and the car hesitated putting me into the way of on coming traffic at 50 MPH. This was very dangerous because I was…
Fuel system
10 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 71,000 miles.
The vehicle started to stall and was not responsive to acceleration. It dangerously lost almost all of its power in the middle of the road. The next day it failed to start. The problem is a very common problem that Audi has published in their service bulletin 15 07 02 for replacement of intake camshaft and high…
From a stopped position on a side street in a left hand turn lane I stepped on the gas pedal and the car started to move then immediately had a loss of power in making a left hand turn onto a major street. The car lurched forward then hesitated. It is really dangerous because it can surprise people and cause cars to…
Lights
10 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 64,500 miles.
Intermittent headlight malfunction. Over the course of a year of ownership, the right headlight has malfunctioned (turned off), with no consistent cause apparent. Just recently the left headlight has started to malfunction as well. While driving both headlights have gone out! This condition is both unsafe, and illegal…
Headlight internal coil that is reponsible for headlights highbeam to come on goes bad to cause the headlight to stop coming on. Known problem in Audi A3 2006 headlight assembly
Engine
7 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
Engine coolant line flange failure. Causes engine coolant to drain from vehicle .the dealer indicates that this is common on the 2.0 engines. Part unavailable in the US (on back order). The car was parked, luckily. Could have been a major expense if on the highway. Drained within several hours while parked. If this is…
2nd time this has happened in just a few days. I want to start documenting every time this has happened. I was pulling into fast moving traffic from a side street. I was making a left hand turn and the car hesitated putting me into the way of on coming traffic at 50 MPH. This was very dangerous because I was…
Electrical
6 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 84,500 miles.
Just bought the car 1 month ago and I got a gearbox malfunction. Car does not want to reverse.it jerks from 1st-2nd gear, and it also jumps forward when km trying to stop. Its a safety concern for me ans my family. Its a common problem with the 2010 Audi s4's dsg transmission. Audi of america should be replacing these…
Loss of power at any time without warning the car will lose power while in motion, on a highway, just driving down a street or turning. Almost rear ended several times.
Suspension
4 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: rear.
Chronic tire cupping due to a mismatch between vehicle specifications, such as weight, and suspension type. After experiencing this problem myself and then researching the issue online on multiple discussion boards the same problem is mentioned over and over again. Assessment by experienced mechanic is that cause must…
Car suspension/setup leads to excessive tire wear. Latest set of tires (falcon) are cupped at 10,000. Has happened to three prior sets of tires (total of 4 sets at 80,000 miles). Dealer claims it is the wrong tire composition, but offers no solution other than buying the expensive continental tiers they sell.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2006 Audi A3 recalls
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: tank assembly
Risk: In the presence of an ignition source, a vehicle fire could occur.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: side/window
Risk: In the event of a crash, the air bag may not inflate as designed increasing the risk of injury to a seat occupant.
Fix: Dealers will replace the side curtain air bag free of charge. The recall began on august 31, 2006. Owners may contact audi at 1-800-822-2834.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, during production of the air bag, either the left or the right side curtain air bag inflation module may leak.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2006 Audi A3
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Audi A3?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (56 complaints, typically around 120,000 miles); transmission (37 complaints, typically around 71,500 miles); fuel system (10 complaints, typically around 71,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2006 Audi A3 have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 30, 2018 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2006 a bad year for the Audi A3?
- It is the most complained-about A3 model year since 2000, with 123 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.