The 2006 Audi A3 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 324,797 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 140 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS18V0820002018-01-30162,782 affected
Defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the…
Consequence
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially…
AIR BAGS16V0790002016-02-10151,767 affected
Defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2006 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons, 2005-2013 Audi A3, and 2006-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 AUDI A3, TT, AND TT ROADSTER PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 29, 2005 AND AUGUST 26, 2009. THE CLOSING FORCE OF AN INTERNAL SPRING OF THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE IS NOT ADEQUATE ENOUGH TO HOLD THE VALVE CLOSED UNDER EXTREME DRIVING…
Consequence
IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AUDI DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE WITH AN IMPROVED VALVE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-253-2834.
AIR BAGS06V2930002006-08-0748 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING PRODUCTION OF THE AIR BAG, EITHER THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG INFLATION MODULE MAY LEAK.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT INFLATE AS DESIGNED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
54
3crashes4injuries
POWER TRAIN
21
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
14
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
6
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
5
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
5
ENGINE
3
SUSPENSION
3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2
Total complaints140
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The contact owns a 2006 audi a3. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, he heard an abnormal rattling sound coming from the passenger’s side of the dashboard where the air bag was…”
“I totaled my car about two weeks ago, and none of my passenger side airbags deployed. (front passenger, front side, or rear passenger side)”
“I totaled my car about two weeks ago. And none of my passenger side airbags deployed ( front , front side, nor rear passenger side)”
“Owner of audi a3 2006 2.0tfsi. Recently got the problem with the engine check light. Engine check light indicates that something is wrong with the fuel system leak. The car was originally created for us, but its now active in europe. Already seen some car repair centers, but none could fix the…”
“Replaced airbags by audi in latham, new york and charged over $176 for diagnostic for bad airbags and warning lights for airbags. Bad airbargs installed during recall. Audi never replaced the bad airbags. Very bad.”
“Replaced airbags by audi are off and defective. Dealer requires hundreds of dollars to inspect bad airbag changed by recall of airbags. Airbag off warning light from replaced airbag changed by dealer. Incredible, replaced recalled airbags to have bad airbags installed and be charged hundreds of…”
“Takata recall: we keep receiving urgent safety recall notices for our airbags but there are no dealerships that have the parts to complete this recall. Every single dealership that I have contacted inside and outside of the bay area have all said the materials are 'on back order' 'this continues…”
“My complaint is regarding the glacial pace which audi has taken to remedy the recall associated with my automobile. We were provided with a temporary fix that replaced the original airbag inflation device with a new one that has the same problem in april of 2016. I first contacted audi on may 3rd.…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2006 Audi A3 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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