This bulletin contains general instructions for software updates.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Audi S4 electrical problems
moderate 4 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
When does it fail?
Of the 4 electrical complaints filed for the 2006 Audi S4, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Elsa2Go campaign information is now 100% aligned with ElsaPro. This update to Elsa2Go ensures that both systems are displaying the same campaign information, including OPEN/CLOSED status, repair date as well as criterions at the same time without any discrepancy.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This technical service bulletin provides troubleshooting information for the vehicle locking system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin contains instructions on how to use the QR code in a TSB.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗00 Software Version Management (SVM), operating instructions
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
While driving, the right headlight flickered and went off (HID lights). The information system registered an error "dipped right headlight" head light comes on when ever the car is started, and goes out with the same error again at a later time. So far this error has occurred the last 3 times I have driven (all three times since first occurrence). This is a safety issue since night…
HID xenon headlights randomly flicker and shut off during driving. It's getting worse. Dealers "never found" problem which recurs continually so they never fixed this issue under warranty after being asked several times since the vehicle was new. 100's of other stories about this online. Huge safety issue when headlights just quit at random. *tr
Had electrical trouble with your 2006 Audi S4?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2006 Audi S4?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 52,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Audi/S4.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.