2006 Audi A3

Routine

Owners filed 123 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

75 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles; the median is 72,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags53
304
Power Train17
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission14
000
Exterior Lighting10
000
Electrical System5
000
Fuel System, Gasoline4
000
Suspension3
000
Power Train › Manual Transmission2
000
Fuel/Propulsion System2
000
Engine2
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module18V082000
Filed Jan 30, 2018162,782 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

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.

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 Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module16V079000
Filed Feb 10, 2016151,767 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

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.

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 service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly09V377000
Filed Sep 30, 200910,200 vehiclesVolkswagen Of America, Inc

Defect. 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.

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 AUDI AT 1-800-253-2834.

Air Bags › Side/Window06V293000
Filed Aug 7, 200648 vehiclesVolkswagen Of America, Inc

Defect. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Aug 29, 2024145,000 milesCA

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.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Feb 12, 2024NC

I totaled my car about two weeks ago, and none of my passenger side airbags deployed. (Front passenger, front side, or Rear passenger side)

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 12, 2024NC

I totaled my car about two weeks ago. And none of my passenger side airbags deployed ( front , front side, nor rear passenger side)

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 9, 2021147,000 milesMA

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.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 1, 2021159,000 milesNY

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.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 23, 2020CA

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.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 21, 2020159,000 milesNY

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.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 18, 2019CT

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.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 14, 2018MI

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.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 1, 2018WA

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.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 18, 2018CA

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.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 16, 2018CA

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.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 15, 2018FL

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.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 4, 2018CA

"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.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 29, 2018WA

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.

Air Bags
Filed May 29, 201838,000 milesHI

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.

Air Bags
Filed May 17, 2018OR

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.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 15, 2018100,000 milesLA

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.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 10, 2018DC

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.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 9, 2018CA

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.

20 of 123 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2006
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20255000Routine
20241000Routine
20236200Routine
20229600Routine
202016300Routine
201910300Routine
201833200Routine
201744200Routine
201681320Routine
201592200Routine
201320300Routine
201243420Routine
201143410Routine
201050500Routine
200947500Routine
200843300Routine
200752300Routine
2006 — this page123400Routine
20050100Routine
20046000Routine
20032000Routine
20011000Routine

Compare every A3 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jan 30, 2018. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.