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2006 Audi A8 problems

The most common problem on the 2006 Audi A8 is acceleration and speed control. It has fewer complaints than a typical A8 model year.

Fewer complaintsAmong the best years of this model
Owner complaints
6
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
278
Worst area
Acceleration
Fuel economy
15-18mpg

The worst 2006 Audi A8 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Acceleration
    3
  • Electrical
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Lights
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Acceleration
    3
  • Electrical
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Locks
    1

Recalls 2

Air bags: frontalReported November 30, 2006 · 5,902 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain vehicles where a weak battery exists, it is possible that a low voltage condition could cause the air bag control unit to improperly set a fault code. If this occurs, the passenger side frontal air bag will become deactivated. However, both the air bag warning light in the instrument cluster as well as the 'passenger air bag off' telltale in the center of the instrument panel will illuminate and provide visual warning to the driver.
Risk
If the case of a frontal crash, the passenger side front air bag would not deploy which could cause injury to the seat occupant.
Remedy
Dealers will update the air bag control module software. The recall began on december 5, 2006. Owners may contact audi at 1‑800‑822‑2834.

Recall number 06V454000 · Recall details

Air bagsReported November 16, 2005 · 1,530 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 05V522000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2006 Audi A8

Technical service bulletins for the 2006 Audi A8 278

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 278 bulletins for the 2006 Audi A8

2006 Audi A8 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
4.2L 8‑cyl4WD162218
6.0L 12‑cyl4WD131915

What 2006 Audi A8 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 11, 2025 · Electrical, Lights · MN

The headlight warning light came on. The headlight on left had gone out. Opening the headlight assembly ( a 2,000 to 6000 dollar part) there are about 20 wires inside the assembly, every wire was partially bare, the insulation has cracked off every wire inside the assembly. A small wire harness connects everything inside the light, the harness is not available to fix it. The cost to have a harness for the car available, should not be a issue. We need lights and to replace a headlight is a 20 dollar fix not a 2500 dollar. Fix.

Filed Nov 29, 2016 · Body, Locks · 13,000 miles · CA

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 attempting to open the door, which prevented the door from opening. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the door closure module and door latch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 13,000. Updated 02/07/2017

Filed May 16, 2014 · Electrical · 145,000 miles · WI

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.

Filed Mar 20, 2014 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 78,865 miles · NY

While accelerating to get on the parkway my car locked at 7000 RPM's and continued to accelerate with my foot off the accelerator. I was forced to put the car in neutral to avoid an accident, if I were not an experienced driver this could have caused a fatality in the car was at 80 MPH and quickly rising. The tachometer continued at 7000 RPM for roughly 20 seconds, only after continually tapping the accelerator it finally began to decline. Please look into this life threatening situation. Additionally my tire pressure light remains on even when all tires are at the factory recommended settings.

Filed Jul 5, 2009 · Acceleration · 44,000 miles · WA

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 from but never received any feedback. After researching the issue I was able to determine that the problem is caused by the drivers factory floor mat coming loose from its retaining clips, sliding forward and causing interference with the accelerator pedal. It was only my familiarity with the problem and how to fix it that allowed me to react quickly enough to avoid an accident the second time. If the car had been driven by a less experienced driver or if this had been the first time that it happened to me this could have easily resulted in a fatality.

Filed Aug 7, 2008 · Acceleration · 95 miles · NY

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 of the road and noticed that the floormat was resting on the gas and brake pedals. The contact called audi and filed a complaint. Approximately four months later, the failure recurred and the dealer was notified. He took the vehicle to the dealer approximately six times for the issue with the floormat. The failure recurred on august 7, 2008 and almost caused the contact to crash into another vehicle. The dealer replaced the pegs in the floor and then they replaced the floormat; however, the failure persists. The failure mileage was 95 and current mileage was 39,683.

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Questions about the 2006 Audi A8

Is the 2006 Audi A8 reliable?

Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2006 Audi A8, fewer than a typical A8 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2006 Audi A8?

Acceleration and speed control, with 3 complaints. Next is electrical (2).

How many recalls does the 2006 Audi A8 have?

2 recalls, covering air bags.

What gas mileage does the 2006 Audi A8 get?

Official estimates for the 2006 Audi A8 range from 15 to 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.2L 8-cyl, 4WD) gets 16 city and 22 highway.

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