The 2006 Audi A3 has 4 safety recalls and 123 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (56 complaints).
Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints123filed by owners
Crashes · fires3 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths4 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
NHTSA recall 18V082000 · Jan 30, 2018 · 162,782 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
NHTSA recall 16V079000 · Feb 10, 2016 · 151,767 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
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.
Problem: 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.
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.
Air bags › Side/window
NHTSA recall 06V293000 · Aug 7, 2006 · 48 vehicles
Problem: 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.
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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2006 Audi A3 4-DR. w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
A3
25mpg combined
City / highway
22 / 29 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,300/year to fuel
A3
24mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 29 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,400/year to fuel
A3 quattro
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3.2 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Air bags On-off switch assembly; Frontal
56
3
0
4
120,000 mi
Power train Automatic transmission; Manual transmission
37
0
0
0
71,502 mi
Exterior lighting
10
0
0
0
64,380 mi
Electrical system
6
0
0
0
84,400 mi
Fuel system, gasoline
5
0
0
0
67,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
5
0
0
0
71,580 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Cooling system › Hoses/lines/piping/fittings
4
0
0
0
70,991 mi
Suspension Rear
4
0
0
0
62,500 mi
Engine
3
0
0
0
76,543 mi
Vehicle speed control
2
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
2
0
0
0
—
Equipment Appliance › Air conditioner
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Aug 28, 2024 · 145,000 milesAir bags The contact owns a 2006 Audi A3. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the passengerâs side air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, he heard an abnormal rattling sound coming from the passengerâs 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 passengerâs side air bag was not repaired. The…
Feb 3, 2024 · crash · 1 injuryAir bags I totaled my car about two weeks ago. And none of my passenger side airbags deployed ( front , front side, nor rear passenger side)
Feb 3, 2024 · crashAir bags I totaled my car about two weeks ago, and none of my passenger side airbags deployed. (Front passenger, front side, or Rear passenger side)
Jan 13, 2021 · 147,000 milesFuel/propulsion system 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…
Jan 22, 2020 · 159,000 milesAir bags 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.
Aug 19, 2010Air bags 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.
Jan 21, 2020 · 159,000 milesAir bags 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.
Oct 1, 2018Air bags 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.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.