2006 Audi A3
The Verdict
The 2006 Audi A3 has 123 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (69 complaints) and transmission (32 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 69/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating. If you're shopping for a Audi A3, consider the 2024 model year which has 99% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2024 has 99% fewer complaints
View the 2024 Audi A3 dashboard →
Klunk Score: Solid Pick
Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 4
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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 IN...
Risk
IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
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...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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...
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 inj...
Remedy
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 Volksw...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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 deploymen...
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 ...
Remedy
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 servi...
Reported Oct 2, 2016
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING PRODUCTION OF THE AIR BAG, EITHER THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG INFLATION MODULE MAY LEAK.
Risk
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT INFLATE AS DESIGNED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy
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.
Reported Jul 8, 2006
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
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Worst Problems
Complaints
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 18V082000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (UNKNOWN DEALER INFORMATION) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
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 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.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR AS THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED OVER A YEAR AGO. THE DEALER (AUDI FARMINGTON HILLS, 37911 GRAND RIVER AVE, FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48335, (248) 471-0800) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
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.
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 RECEIVED NUMEROUS NOTICES FROM AUDI OF AMERICA, INC., MOST RECENTLY MAY, JUNE AND JULY 2018. THESE NOTICES ASK ME TO CONTACT AN AUDI DEALER REGARDING A SAFETY RECALL FOR DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG INFLATOR (TAKATA) AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO HAVE THE AIRBAG REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. I CONTACTED AUDI STEVENS CREEK IN SAN JOSE, CA, AND WAS ABLE TO HAVE A TEMPORARY AIRBAG REPLACEMENT INSTALLED ON JUNE 2, 2017. AT THAT TIME, I WAS TOLD A PERMANENT AIRBAG WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED IN THE FUTURE WHEN THE PART ARRIVED. I HAVE CALLED THIS DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, MOST RECENTLY SEPT. 4, 2018, AND WAS TOLD EACH TIME THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART AND DO NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WILL GET IT. I NOW WANT TO SELL MY CAR AND MAY BE UNABLE TO DO SO BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO FEEL I AM AT RISK IF GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT IF THIS BAG IS NOT PERMANENTLY REPLACED. THE VERY FIRST NOTICE I RECEIVED FROM AUDI AMERICA WAS APRIL 2016 REGARDING ITS SAFETY RECALL OF THIS TAKATA AIRBAG. IT IS NOW SEPT. 2018, AND I STILL DO NOT HAVE A PERMANENT AIRBAG REPLACEMENT. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.
TAKATA RECALL. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 16V079. AUDI ACTION CODE 69N2. RECALL START DATE FEB 09, 2016. MY ISSUE IS THAT I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR AN "INTERIM REPAIR" FOR MY DEFECTIVE TAKATA AIRBAG INFLATOR FOR 2 YEARS 4 MONTHS AND 20 DAYS AT THE DATE OF WRITING THIS COMPLAINT. I DRIVE MYSELF AND MY FAMILY IN MY VEHICLE, AND ACCORDING TO THE AUDI NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE I SPOKE WITH, IT IS BOTH MY PASSENGER AND DRIVER AIRBAG INFLATORS THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS EXTREMELY CONCERNING AS I DRIVE MY FAMILY IN MY VEHICLE. THE LACK OF INFORMATION AUDI HAS BEEN ABLE TO GIVE TO ME REGARDING WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE HAS LED ME HERE. QUITE FRANKLY, I HAVE RUN OUT OF PATIENCE, AS I'M DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE MY FAMILY AND MYSELF HARM/DEATH, WHERE THE DEVICE (INFLATOR/AIRBAG) SHOULD BE KEEPING US SAFE. THERE IS NO WAITING LIST TO BE ADDED TO FOR THE PARTS, AND THE LACK OF ANY SPECIFICITY OF WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE IS BEYOND ABSURD, ESPECIALLY SINCE I'VE BEEN WAITING AND CALLING THEM EVERY SO OFTEN FOR MORE THAN 2 YEARS NOW. I HAVE CALLED ALL OF THE LOCAL AUDI DEALERSHIPS IN MY AREA FOR INFORMATION REGARDING THE TAKATA RECALL AND PART AVAILABILITY, ALONG WITH THE AUDI NATIONAL NUMBER, ALL TO NO AVAIL OR ANY SPECIFICITY OF GETTING THIS PROBLEM ADDRESSED.
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.
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