Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Audi A4 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Audi A4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the wife crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. During the crash the front driver side air bag did not deploy, however, the passenger side airbag did deploy, and both the front and rear driver side and passenger side headrest restraints activated. The contact indicated that no passengers were present in the vehicle during the crash. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not contacted. The local dealer was notified. The failure mileage was 160,000.
My personal Audi A4 was involved in a front end collision on an inner-city road due to loss of friction on frozen ice. Despite there only being a driver present in the car, the driver side airbag from the steering wheel did not activate while the passenger side airbag did. I had already previously checked the Takata recall, which affect the exact model of my vehicle, yet when I entered the VIN, it displayed that no recalls were present. The collision happened at a speed of less than 25 MPH, and the unneeded damage costs pf the passenger side airbags alongside the health risks of not having an airbag deploy for the driver has LED me to filing this complaint as it was a very unpleasant experience.
Glancing side impact head on collision - vehicle rolled 270 degrees - right, upside down, then ended on left side. None of the airbags deployed. Impact speed was more than sufficient to roll vehicle, thus they should have deployed. Vehicle proceeding in motion - probably 20 MPH at time of impact on two lane highway (other vehicle crossed over) approx 35-40 when first observed other vehicle moving erratically
Takata recall I received a recall notice in July 2016 and am told the repair is still not available. I have not driven the vehicle since then which has resulted in much difficulty and expense. I have uploaded a photo of a friend who was in an accident involving a defective airbag. I request Audi give me a loaner car until the airbag is replaced.
On 7/15/18 I had a mysterious accident in ottawa county, michigan, where I was knocked out for several hours and I have no recollection off anything at least a few minutes before the accident. My 2006 a6 quattro 3.2 avant (station wagon) was totaled by the insurance company. The county police rescued me and sent me to the holland hospital for a series of very costly procedures. The police report wrote that the airbag was deployed. And because it was not in a major intersection, a simple stop sign at the us-31, from the information in the report, I suspect I had not faced any impending crash to have had to push the breaks hard, and my vehicle only stopped because it hit a valley shaped ditch in the middle of the highway. Because of the number of related Takata airbag failures on those types of cars, by the, on both sides, I suggest a thoughrough investigation of the case. …
Takata recall, have contacted dealer to remedy safety issue and understand there is no current solution or anything being done about a major recall to the supplement restraint systems fitted in my vehicle. Manufacturer has no future date for safety concern being resolved. I feel unsafe driving this vehicle. Transmission failure at high mileage due to torque converter seal failure and voltage spike to solenoid 3 causing transmission temperatures to rise and result in premature failure of zf 6hp19a transmission. Have contacted manufacturer and zahnradfabrik friedrichshafen ag to report premature failure of transmission, have not heard back. Vehicle was in motion when failure occurred causing sudden speed drop on a major highway, no injuries reported but accident prone.
Purchased the vehicle a few months ago (July of 2020). Before buying it I was told that the warning chime for the seatbelt had stopped working , so I took it to my local german auto shop to see what would needed to fix it. To my surprise, it's a part in the instrument cluster that would need to be replaced, but it's a common issue as these cars age for the warning chime to fail therefore not notifying or warning if the driver or passenger belt is buckled. Warning chime does not work whether stationary, or moving for any seat in the vehicle.
At an intersection, a Ford f250 pickup, pulling a trailer, turned left into my 2006 Audi A4 avant. My vehicle was traveling straight through intersection traveling at about 20 to 25 MPH.. I was traveling alone, with my seat belt on. My vehicle was crushed up to the firewall and was totaled (photos are available). The air bags on my vehicle did not deploy. The belt tensioner did deploy.
Takada recall I have been trying to get airbag recalled for over a year and I am told the 69p6 is not available. I think this is high risk since it is older and also in area of high humidity in the summer dealer states they can not get the part (air bag ) to replace it.
Takata recall- per recall instructions, attempted to have dealer: Audi reno tahoe 9190 s. Virginia st. Reno, nv89511 make necessary repairs. Colton gaffney and cory hobson refused to accept vehicle.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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.
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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,…
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Audi A4, and 2005-2011 Audi A6 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands…
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834.
Airbag complaints in other A4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2006 Audi A4?
NHTSA has 73 complaints about the air bags of the 2006 Audi A4, 25% of the model year's 295 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2006 Audi A4 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-427 (inflator module, Jun 22, 2018); NHTSA recall 17V-032 (inflator module, Jan 11, 2017); NHTSA recall 16V-382 (inflator module, Jun 1, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Audi A4 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.