Audi · A3 · 2006
4
Recalls
123
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2006 Audi A3 has 4 recalls and 123 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: air bags (54 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING PRODUCTION OF THE AIR BAG, EITHER THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG INFLATION MODULE MAY LEAK.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
The contact owns a 2006 Audi A3. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, he heard an abnormal rattling sound coming from the passenger’s side of the dashboard where the air bag was located. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer and was informed that parts were not available for repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V082000 (Air Bags); for the driver's side air bag, but the passenger’s side air bag was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
I totaled my car about two weeks ago. And none of my passenger side airbags deployed ( front , front side, nor rear passenger side)
I totaled my car about two weeks ago, and none of my passenger side airbags deployed. (Front passenger, front side, or Rear passenger side)
OWNER OF AUDI A3 2006 2.0TFSI. RECENTLY GOT THE PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT INDICATES THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM LEAK. THE CAR WAS ORIGINALLY CREATED FOR US, BUT ITS NOW ACTIVE IN EUROPE. ALREADY SEEN SOME CAR REPAIR CENTERS, BUT NONE COULD FIX THE ENGINE CHECK PROBLEM. TODAY, I READ INFORMATION FROM OFFICIAL AUDI SITES. "FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY RECALL' ENGINE CHECK LIGHT SHOWED UP WHEN I WAS DRIVING HIGHWAY, FIRST, COMPUTER TOLD ME TO CLOSE FUEL CAP, WHICH WAS FULLY CLOSED, AFTER FUEL CAP LOGO WENT AWAY, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STARTED TO BLINKING AND THE MOTOR STARTED TO SHAKE BADLY AND I NEEDED TO DO EMERGENCY STOP. I THINK ITS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AROUND WHEN ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STILL SHOWS UP.
REPLACED AIRBAGS BY AUDI IN LATHAM, NEW YORK AND CHARGED OVER $176 FOR DIAGNOSTIC FOR BAD AIRBAGS AND WARNING LIGHTS FOR AIRBAGS. BAD AIRBARGS INSTALLED DURING RECALL. AUDI NEVER REPLACED THE BAD AIRBAGS. VERY BAD.
REPLACED AIRBAGS BY AUDI ARE OFF AND DEFECTIVE. DEALER REQUIRES HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO INSPECT BAD AIRBAG CHANGED BY RECALL OF AIRBAGS. AIRBAG OFF WARNING LIGHT FROM REPLACED AIRBAG CHANGED BY DEALER. INCREDIBLE, REPLACED RECALLED AIRBAGS TO HAVE BAD AIRBAGS INSTALLED AND BE CHARGED HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS BY AUDI DEALER IN LATHAM NEW YORK.
TAKATA RECALL: WE KEEP RECEIVING URGENT SAFETY RECALL NOTICES FOR OUR AIRBAGS BUT THERE ARE NO DEALERSHIPS THAT HAVE THE PARTS TO COMPLETE THIS RECALL. EVERY SINGLE DEALERSHIP THAT I HAVE CONTACTED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE BAY AREA HAVE ALL SAID THE MATERIALS ARE 'ON BACK ORDER' 'THIS CONTINUES TO BE SO SINCE JANUARY 2017. WE HAVE TWO CHILDREN AND RELY ON OUR AUDI WHICH IS ALSO OUR ONLY CAR. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO GET ANOTHER CAR AT THIS TIME AND TRY TO USE PUBLIC TRANSIT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BUT NOT ALWAYS REALISTIC OR SAFE FOR A BABY WHO WAS BORN PREMATURELY. WE HAVE TO HAVE OUR CAR FIXED BUT AUDI SIMPLY MAILING OUT RECALL NOTICES WITHOUT THE SUPPLIES IN PLACE TO CORRECT THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL DEFECT IS NOTHING MORE THAN THEIR LEGAL DUE DILIGENCE ON PAPER AND NOT CORRECTIVE. PLEASE HELP US.
MY COMPLAINT IS REGARDING THE GLACIAL PACE WHICH AUDI HAS TAKEN TO REMEDY THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH MY AUTOMOBILE. WE WERE PROVIDED WITH A TEMPORARY FIX THAT REPLACED THE ORIGINAL AIRBAG INFLATION DEVICE WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM IN APRIL OF 2016. I FIRST CONTACTED AUDI ON MAY 3RD. OF 2017 TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE STATUS OF A PERMANENT REPAIR FOR A FAULTY, AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY, AIRBAG IN MY 2006 AUDI A3 AND NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE AT THE TIME. I CONTACTED THEM AGAIN TODAY, OCTOBER 16TH 2018 AND THERE ARE STILL NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR. THIS IS ALL WELL AFTER I WAS INITIALLY NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL TO BEGIN WITH. IT WILL HAVE BEEN YEARS SINCE THIS RECALL WAS PUT IN PLACE BY THE TIME I RECEIVE A PERMANENT FIX WHILE MY WIFE DRIVES OUR TWO CHILDREN AROUND IN A CAR WITH A POTENTIALLY LETHAL AIRBAG IN IT. I'M SHOCKED AND DISGUSTED BY THE LACK OF URGENCY THAT AUDI HAS DISPLAYED IN NEGLECTING TO FIX MY CAR AS WELL AS, WHAT I IMAGINE, ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHER AUDI OWNERS WAITING ON A FIX WHILE DRIVING A DEATH TRAP. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FORCE AUDI'S HAND AND COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIRS THEY ARE BEHOLDEN TO.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER (AUDI OF NORTH MIAMI, 1995 NE 142ND ST, NORTH MIAMI, FL 33181, 305-952-5900) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE BEEN CALLING THE AUDI DEALER FOR OVER 4 MONTHS ABOUT THIS AIR BAG. THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT THEY ARE WAITING FOR PARTS FROM TAKATA, NOTHING MUCH ELSE THAT THEY CAN DO. I NEED TO KNOW THAT IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN THAT I CAN DEPEND ON THE AIR BAG IN MY CAR TO HELP KEEP ME SAFE, AT THIS POINT I AM VERY WORRIED.
TAKATA RECALL I LIVE ON THE ISLAND OF MAUI AND AUDI USA HAS STILL NOT PROVIDED SERVICE TECHNICIANS TO REPLACE RECALLED TAKATA AIRBAGS. THEY EXPECT RESIDENTS TO SHIP THEIR CARS TO OAHU AT $600 FOR THE RECALL! WE HAVE TRAINED AUDI SERVICE TECHS AT THE MAUI VOLKSWAGON DEALER KARMART, BUT AUDI USA WILL NOT APPROVE THEM TO DO THE SERVICE.
RECEIVED NOTICE OF RECALL FROM AUDI AMERICA IN APRIL 2016. BEGINNING IN JANUARY 2018 HAVE RECEIVED THREE NOTICES TO CONTACT DEALER FOR REPAIRS. WAS FIRST TOLD BY DEALER THAT THE AIRBAG REPLACEMENT WAS NOT IN STOCK. AFTER THE THIRD NOTICE WAS RECEIVED IN APRIL THE DEALER NOW INDICATES THAT THE CAR IS "CLEAR" AND NO RECALLS (INCLUDING AIR BAG) ARE IN EFFECT. AFTER CALLING AUDI AMERICA THEY HAVE NOW GIVEN ME NOTICE BY PHONE THAT THEY ALSO NOTE THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE LEFT MESSAGES NOW ASKING FOR THIS IN WRITING BUT HAVE RECEIVED NO REPLY.
THE TRANSMISSION STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING ( AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL). WHILE DRIVING UP A BRIDGE IT JUST STOPPED WORKING AND STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS AND NOW WILL NOT WORK AT ALL .ITS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT AUDI RECALLED THIS TRANSMISSION IN THE UK.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED AUDI OF TYSONS CORNER AT (877) 460-3588 (LOCATED AT 8598 LEESBURG PIKE, VIENNA, VA 22182) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE DEALER TO BE PLACED ON A WAITING LIST. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TAKATA RECALL. LOCAL DEALER CANCELLED MY RECALL APPOINTMENT THE DAY BEFORE SAYING THEY DID NOT HAVE PARTS. 2 WEEKS LATER CALLED FOR AN UPDATE, STILL NO PARTS. THEY SAID "CALL AUDI AND ASK, WE HAVE NO IDEA WHEN WE'RE GETTING PARTS." TALKED TO AUDI OF AMERICA, THEY POINT YOU TO THE DEALERS AND A WAITING LIST.
TAKATA RECALL UNABLE TO OBTAIN REPLACEMENT PART. HAVE BEEN ON WAITING LIST FOR 8 MONTHS, AND UNABLE TO OBTAIN ANY ESTIMATE OR PROMISE OF REPAIR. ONE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER TOLD US 2 - 3 YEARS.
TAKATA RECALL. AUDI REFUSES TO REPAIR THE TAKATA RECALL ISSUE FOR U.S. MILITARY STATIONED OVERSEAS. WE ARE A U.S. MILITARY FAMILY STATIONED IN GERMANY WITH A 2006 AUDI A3 REGISTERED WITH LOCAL MILITARY BASE VEHICLE REGISTRATION SERVICES. OUR 'AMERICAN SPECIFICATION" AUDI IS PART OF THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL THAT HAS IMPACTED MILLIONS OF VEHICLES WORLDWIDE. I HAVE SPOKEN IN PERSON TO SEVERAL LOCAL DEALERSHIPS HERE IN GERMANY TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED. RESULT: THEY HAVE REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. I HAVE ALSO USED ONLINE CHAT SERVICES WITH AUDI USA TO GAIN CLARIFICATION ON THE PROCESS. RESULT: THEY HAVE CONFIRMED IN WRITING THAT AUDI GERMANY WILL NOT BE FIXING ANY AMERICAN SPECIFICATION VEHICLES WITH THE TAKATA RECALL ISSUE (SEE ATTACHED SCREENSHOT OF CONVERSATION). AUDI USA CURRENTLY HAS A NOTICE ON THEIR WEBSITE (HTTPS://WWW.AUDIUSA.COM/ABOUT/TAKATA): "I'M IN THE MILITARY OVERSEAS WITH MY VEHICLE. WHAT CAN I EXPECT? OVERSEAS MILITARY PERSONNEL WILL RECEIVE NOTICES LIKE U.S. CUSTOMERS, AND BE SIMILARLY DIRECTED WHEN TO SCHEDULE THE REMEDY SERVICE WITH THEIR AUTHORIZED AUDI DEALER." THIS IS CLEARLY FALSE AND MISLEADING (SCREENSHOT ATTACHED). THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF U.S. SERVICEMEMBERS AND FAMILIES IN GERMANY WITH AMERICAN SPECIFICATION VEHICLES SUCH AS OURS. WE WANT TO FIX THIS RECALL ISSUE. PLEASE HELP US.
WHEN CHANGING FROM HIGHWAY DRIVING TO STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, CAR TRIES TO SHIFT UP AND DOWN FREQUENTLY VERY HARSHLY, THEN ALL GEARS FLASH AND CAR ENTERS LIMP MODE. HAVE TO RESTART ENGINE TO ALLOW IT TO ALLOW CAR TO DRIVE NORMAL. THIS REPEATS UNTIL ABLE TO DRIVE IN FREE FLOWING TRAFFIC. CAR DRIVES NORMAL UNDER ALL OTHER DRIVING CONDITIONS.
TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL. MANUFACTURER HAS FAILED TO REMEDY.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED AUDI SERVICE PORTLAND DEALER ((877) 868-3792, 14811 NE AIRPORT WAY, PORTLAND, OR 97230) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2006 Audi A3 has 4 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 123 owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Audi A3.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2006 Audi A3.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2006 Audi A3 are air bags (54 reports), power train (31 reports), exterior lighting (9 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 4 recalls on record for the 2006 Audi A3. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.