ProblemsByVin File / 2006-AUDI-A8 NHTSA data synced 18 hours ago

2006 · Audi

Audi A8 problems

1 active recall campaign on file, only 6 owner complaints in the NHTSA database. Often that means the recall caught it before the field did.

2006 Audi A8 — Photo: Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative photo of the Audi A8

Reliability score

Not rated

Limited NHTSA data — only 6 complaints on file. The score reflects what's reported, but a small sample skews easily. 1 active recall on file.

Critical

Severe

Moderate

Should you avoid this 2006 A8?

Not enough data for a verdict

Only 6 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident call. The 1 active recall above remain authoritative; read those first.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Buyer's checklist

Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.

Generated from this 2006 A8's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.

See the checklist ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2006 A8 · body

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Audi a8. The contact stated that the front driver side door closing mechanism failed and caused the door to inadvertently attempt to close while the driver was exiting the vehicle. The contact also indicated that the mechanism would fail while…

11/29/2016 · at 13,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10928573.0

2006 A8 · cruise control

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 Audi a8 l. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the contact approached another vehicle and attempted to apply the brakes, but the vehicle would not stop. The harder he depressed the brake pedal, the faster the engine would race. He pulled to the side…

08/07/2008 · NHTSA ODI #10237329.0

2006 A8 · cruise control

Car suddenly accelerated without warning and propelled us across am intersection into traffic. This is 2nd time this has happened, the first time it happened was on a freeway devoid of other traffic. I reported the first event to the local dealer that I purchased the vehicle…

07/05/2009 · at 44,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10275799.0

2006 A8 · electrical

My vehicle encountered electrical damage due to water in footwells of the car. This obviously is a common problem I was not aware of before purchasing the vehicle. *tr

05/16/2014 · at 145,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10592058.0

View all 6 owner complaints →

Had a problem with your 2006 Audi A8? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 05V522000 November 16, 2005

On certain passenger vehicles, a wiring harness condition exists that may deactivate the passenger side frontal air bag even under circumstances when it should remain activated

If this condition occurs, both the air bag warning light in the instrument cluster and the "passenger air bag off" telltale in the center of the instrument panel will properly illuminate. Consequently, the passenger side frontal air bag would not deploy in the case of a frontal crash.

Fix: Dealers will modify the wiring harness free of charge. The recall began on november 30, 2005. Owners may contact Audi at 1-800-822-2834.

Common questions

Is the 2006 Audi A8 reliable?

Limited NHTSA data. Only 6 owner complaints have been filed for the 2006 Audi A8, which is not enough for a meaningful reliability score. Active recalls (if any) are listed on this page and remain authoritative — those are verified defects regardless of complaint volume. For a confident reliability read we look for at least 10 owner complaints in the federal database.

Should you avoid the 2006 Audi A8?

Only 6 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident call. The 1 active recall above remain authoritative; read those first. We don't issue a buy/avoid verdict on the 2006 Audi A8 without a meaningful complaint sample — doing so off a handful of filings would be guesswork.

What should I check before buying a used 2006 Audi A8?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on the 2006 Audi A8 to flag a standout failure pattern. Run the VIN for open recalls — those are free to fix regardless of warranty — get a standard pre-purchase inspection, and ask the seller for service records.

Is the 2006 Audi A8 a good used car to buy?

Hard to say from federal data alone — only 6 owner complaints have been filed. Lean on the recall list above, a pre-purchase inspection, and a vehicle-history report on the specific VIN. Our data tells you what the model is known for; a history report tells you what that exact car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2006 Audi A8?

No problem area has crossed our reporting threshold yet, which is a good sign for this vehicle.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

Major repair items haven't been flagged often enough on this vehicle to single one out.

How do I check if my Audi A8 has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2006 Audi A8?

Hard to say from NHTSA data alone with only 6 complaints on file. A quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. The decision comes down to your specific situation: vehicle cost, miles on it, how long you plan to keep it, and whether you can absorb a $3K–$8K repair without straining cashflow. With limited public data on this vehicle, lean on the recall list above and check owner forums before committing.

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 18 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Audi/A8. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Audi. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.