2006 Audi S4: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 30 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is exterior lighting (63% of complaints); the 2007 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2018
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Passenger headlight starts on. After a few minutes I get a headlight dipped error and the passenger headlight turns off.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 2019
“As many others have noticed on the b7 models of audi's. The passenger headlight will flicker and go out at random times, it is not a bulb problem it has been replaced multiple times. It is concerning when driving at night and randomly my headlight will shut off. Sometimes when I shut the car off and back in it will return. There is an electrical problem with these headlights as I have read in other places. Very dangerous and concerning they want to charge 1000+ dollars for every customer to put in a new headlight. It is their duty to ensure safety of their customers.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2018
“Takata recall. I received my first notice of this recall on 1/17/17. It is currently 10/31/17 with the repair not yet available. I've called the dealership many times to no avail. I was at dealership yesterday and they told me they do not have the parts. When will this highly dangerous recall repair be available? Thank you.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 audi s4. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v382000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 audi s4. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v382000 (air bags). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer would not provide a rental vehicle. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 audi s4. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v382000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The VIN was unknown. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2016
“Takata recall. Notified 1 year ago and I have not been contacted to have the air bag replaced. Called for an update a few months ago and they said they didn't have the parts for my vehicle yet.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2016
“Both headlights shutoff while driving at night and would not come back on. Bulbs are still in good condition. Error code 'dipping headlight' this is a known safety problem with audi and is extremely unsafe for the driver and other vehicles on the road. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Aug 2014
“Right front headlight flickers and fails. Vehicle must be shut off and restarted in order to get headlight working again. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2013
“Front headlights flicker then go out. Bulbs are not burned out this seems to be a electrical or computer issue. Throws a code of dipped front head light alternates between left and right headlight on any given day. Seems like this has been a big issue for audi between 2006 and 2008 however no recall has been made. This is a safety issue and should be warranted do to the fact it cant be fixed by changing the bulbs.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2013
Recalls - 2 campaigns
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Sedan, A4 Avant, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan, 2007-2008 RS4 Sedan, 2004 RS4 Cabriolet, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2005-2011 A6 Sedan, 2006-2011 A6 Avant, and 2007-2011 S6 Sedan vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Remedy: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag with an alternate remedy part, free of charge. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R7. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 16V382, 17V032 and 18V004 and includes vehicles that may have had their air bag previously replaced under one of those campaigns.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Avant, A4 Sedan, A6 Sedan, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan vehicles, 2007-2008 A4 Cabriolet, RS4 Sedan, S4 Cabriolet and S6 Sedan vehicles, and 2006-2008 A6 Avant and 2008 RS4 Cabriolet vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall number 18V427.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2006 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact S4 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Audi S4 reliable?
NHTSA has 30 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Audi S4. The most complained-about area is exterior lighting (63% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Audi S4 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 49,325 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Audi S4 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.