RecallMyCar

2006 Audi A8 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

2 safety recalls list the 2006 Audi A8, and owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

2
safety recalls
6
owner complaints to NHTSA
15–18
MPG combined (EPA)

2 safety recalls for the 2006 Audi A8

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Air bags: frontal

    NHTSA 06V454000 Reported 5,902 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

    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…

    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.

  2. Air bags

    NHTSA 05V522000 Reported 1,530 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

    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.

    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.

6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2006 Audi A8 have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 56,192 miles. Complaints peaked in 2014 with 2 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“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 part”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 11, 2025 · Exterior lighting

“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”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, November 29, 2016 · Structure

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2006 Audi A8 (A8 L). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined15–18 mpg
City / Highway13–16 / 19–22
FuelPremium
EPA classLarge Cars, Midsize Cars
Engine8/12 cyl, 4.2/6 L
TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Compare Audi A8 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Audi A8 model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1995 Audi A810
1996 Audi A821
1997 Audi A8210
1998 Audi A834
1999 Audi A849
2000 Audi A823
2001 Audi A826
2002 Audi A811
2003 Audi A813
2004 Audi A8120
2005 Audi A816
2006 Audi A826
2007 Audi A824
2008 Audi A818
2009 Audi A815
2010 Audi A811
2011 Audi A8115
2012 Audi A8111
2013 Audi A8649
2014 Audi A8518
2015 Audi A8531
2016 Audi A8411
2017 Audi A838
2018 Audi A820
2019 Audi A8314
2020 Audi A853
2021 Audi A8105
2022 Audi A830
2023 Audi A820
2024 Audi A820
2025 Audi A810
2026 Audi A810

Checking a specific 2006 Audi A8

How do I know if my 2006 Audi A8 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2006 Audi A8; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Audi dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 05V522000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Audi models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.