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Audi A6Model year report

2006 Audi A6 Problems

Complaints
67filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
80,000miles, 33 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 3.1L 6-cyl FWD · 18 city / 27 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 Audi A6 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Most owner complaints for this model year concern the passenger-side Takata airbag inflator recall: owners describe receiving recall notices and then waiting months or years because dealers had no replacement parts. A smaller but consistent group of complaints covers no-crank/no-start conditions traced to the steering column module, plus headlight and oil-leak issues on higher-mileage cars. Complaint volume has been trending down, and much of the report activity comes from recall reminders rather than new failures.

  1. Air bags

    Passenger airbag recall parts unavailable for long periods

    • 32 complaints (48%)
    • median 88,000 mi at 10.7 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2016–2023

    Owners describe receiving a recall notice for the front passenger airbag inflator and then being told by dealers that no replacement part was available, often with no estimated date. Several say they were advised to keep passengers out of the front seat until the repair could be done, and some asked for a loaner or interim remedy without success. A few note that repeated calls and multiple dealer visits produced no repair scheduling. Reported from 2016 through 2019 on vehicles of various mileages, including cars with well under 60,000 miles; several owners in hot-climate states mention the recall.

    Recall 18V427000Recall 17V032000Recall 16V38200014 related service bulletins

    What to check: Check the VIN against the open recall list and ask the seller for paperwork showing the passenger inflator was replaced; confirm with a dealer whether any campaign is still open for the car.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Takata airbag I received a recall notice from Audi in may 2006. I have periodically called my dealership newport imports in newport beach ca. Eleven months later I am still being told that Audi does not have a solution to repair or replace the air bags. This seems like an extremely long wait to have a safety issue corrected, especially as there is no date by which Audi expects to have a solution.”

    NHTSA complaint #10972387, filed 2017-04, 115,000 miles

    “Takata recall - I was notified in july of 2016 that the airbag for my Audi A6 was part of the takata recall and that no remedy was currently available. It has been 6 months and Audi has not issued a solutions for the affected recall the r than to not let passengers sit in the front seat. This is an unacceptable request and puts a burden on me as the consumer to limit liability and forgo the use of my vehicle as described and purchased.”

    NHTSA complaint #10947458, filed 2017-01, 80,000 miles
  2. Steering

    No-crank, stuck in park, steering lock fault

    • 10 complaints (15%)
    • median 108,069 mi at 8.0 yrs old (10 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2006–2018

    Owners describe turning the key and getting no crank, with the car stuck in park and the wheels and steering wheel locked, while radio and lights still work. Complaints say the diagnosis pointed to a failed module integrated into the steering column, requiring replacement of the whole column. In some accounts the failure spread to other control modules, making the repair expensive. Mostly reported between roughly 33,000 and 130,000 miles, with several cases near or above 100,000 miles.

    What to check: Before buying, start the car several times from cold and confirm it turns over normally, shifts out of park, and that the steering wheel unlocks; ask whether the steering column module has ever been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I have a used 2006 Audi A6 quattro 3.2 [when purchased in 2013 it only had 89,000 miles - currently at 111,139 miles]. Last wednesday 06/15/2016, the car refused to turn over, however, the radio, mmi, exterior/interior lights were all operable. After investigating the issue more, I realized that the electrical windows refused to raise, the dash didn't illuminate, and I was unable to place the car in neutral. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10875681, filed 2016-06, 111,139 miles

    “At 150k miles, experienced no crank, no start. Tow to dealer, and I had already done some triage. They did 2 hrs of troubleshooting problems that were not even related, so I took the car back. Found a trust worthy mechanic and his diag suggested the scm burned out taking the PCM and ECM along with it. The cost would have been in the $6000 range as he stated a %40 failure rate after 150k in alldata. He also said, if I repair it, I need to replace the steering column as well because I will just have issues down the road if I dont. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11081013, filed 2018-03, 150,000 miles
  3. Engine

    Oil leaks and check-engine light on higher-mileage cars

    Mentioned in 4 of 58 sampled complaints

    Owners describe engine oil leaks and an illuminated check engine light, with the car needing repeated attention over time. Some complaints note that the vehicle had been sold back to a dealer for the same issue before changing hands. Separately, owners report intermittent stalling or loss of engine power while driving. Typically reported on older, high-mileage cars, often above 130,000 miles.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Look for oil residue under the engine and ask for service records; a service bulletin describes using a UV additive to help locate oil leaks, so ask whether that diagnostic has been done.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My 2006 Audi A6 lost all engine power while driving and the steering wheel locked up. This happened on three separate occasions. The manufacturer has refused to take the car back, despite the life threatening safety concerns associated with this problem. I have noticed other posted complaints for the same problem.”

    NHTSA complaint #10222212, filed 2008-03

    “Engine oil leaks this is a normal problem that should not be accepted by the consumer and the adaptive headlights cord broke off. Will not turn with vehicle”

    NHTSA complaint #11110141, filed 2018-07, 138,000 miles

Buying note. Verify recall status by VIN before purchase and get the airbag recall work confirmed, since many owners reported long waits for parts. Also budget for electrical and steering column diagnostics on a car of this age, and check lighting and oil leaks during a pre-purchase inspection.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 58 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 67 consumer complaints for the 2006 Audi A6. 33 of the complaints include a mileage, and 27% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 80,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 416 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Seat belts (2), Fuel system (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Takata recall the problem with the takata airbags has been absolutely confirmed for years and this is the first notice from Audi in the time we have owned the car (over one year). How is it that they can casually suggest that, Audi recommends avoiding use of the front passenger seat whenever possible until the the recall repair has been performed. , and state that the use may result, in serious injury or death to vehicle occupants. , without offering an immediate remedy. Though ten years old, this is our family car and there is no other remedy offered than to stop driving it?? …”

NHTSA complaint #10892966, filed 2016-08, 80,000 miles

Electrical system: “I have a 2006 Audi A6 3.2 quattro. It has 53,215 miles on it. So 3,215 miles after warranty expires so does the ignition coil which has been recalled on almost every model year up 2005 for the last 5-6 years. But it's not on recall for my car yet. To me if they have had a known problem with these coils that they should take care of the problem or be responsible for the repairs. They said because there is no current recall there's nothing they can do, and the fact that they have had a recall for all there cars for the last 6 years means nothing... …”

NHTSA complaint #10227866, filed 2008-05, 53,215 miles

Brakes: “This is an on going problem with the A6 (c6) platform. If you have your parking brake light on, whether it be random or constant it is more than likely the parking brake module located in the trunk on the right hand side behind the side panel carpet. This is a well known issue that should have been considered a recall. I have seen plenty of Audi's with the electronic parking brake have this failure. However it is an easy fix and about a 100-and up part (I bought mine used for 120). But I think this should be a recall.”

NHTSA complaint #10823373, filed 2016-02, 95,000 miles

Engine: “The contact owns 2006 Audi A6. The contact stated that she was unable to start the vehicle intermittently without a jump start. The contact stated that the vehicle remained on when the key was removed from the ignition switch. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10672523, filed 2015-01, 180,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

27% of the 33 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 45,934 and 121,000 miles.

9%0–106%10–2512%25–5021%50–7515%75–10021%100–15015%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (33 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 80,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’07’09’12’14’1625’18’20’23
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2006 Audi A6 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
A6 FWD3.1L 6-cylCVT182721$3,900
A6 Avant quattro 4WD/AWD3.1L 6-cyl6-speed automatic162419$4,350
A6 quattro 4WD/AWD3.1L 6-cyl6-speed automatic172520$4,100
A6 quattro 4WD/AWD4.2L 8-cyl6-speed automatic152118$4,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2006 Audi A6 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 416 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 416 bulletins →

Other model years of the Audi A6

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2026721,0020—23—Too new
202567,0172526—Too new
20211859,00011526—Rising
20202622,000952755 · TypicalStable
20191141,000752791 · MoreRising
20181111,8002528—Not enough data
20172014,1003528—Stable
20165125,602352853 · TypicalRising
20152271,0004528—Stable
20144149,400452831 · FewerStable
20135260,9366—2839 · TypicalFalling
20126069,0008—2850 · TypicalFalling
20112157,0003—24—Falling
20101764,0003—22—Stable
20092182,5004—21—Falling
20087144,0004—2143 · TypicalStable
20075388,5004—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20066780,0004—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20059186,3583—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20043573,0004—21Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20036679,9757—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20028871,1454—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200111378,0007—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200014877,0404—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199921780,0009—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199813078,50010—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19972095,0002—19—Stable
199651103,7582—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199516118,0002—19—Stable

All Audi A6 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Audi A6?

Most owner complaints for this model year concern the passenger-side Takata airbag inflator recall: owners describe receiving recall notices and then waiting months or years because dealers had no replacement parts. The issues reported most often: Passenger airbag recall parts unavailable for long periods; No-crank, stuck in park, steering lock fault; Oil leaks and check-engine light on higher-mileage cars.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 Audi A6 have?

NHTSA recorded 67 consumer complaints for the 2006 Audi A6 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2006 Audi A6 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 40 complaints (60% of the total), followed by electrical system with 13.

Has the 2006 Audi A6 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2006 Audi A6 get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Audi A6 (A6, 3.1L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2006 Audi A6 reported?

Among the 33 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 80,000 miles and the middle half falls between 45,934 and 121,000 miles; 27% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.