Owners have filed 10 complaints
about the 2006 Audi A8 with NHTSA between 2008 and 2025.
The largest single group is the acceleration & cruise control.
Across this model's run it ranks 11 of 14 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 22
Against the median year of the Audi A8. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 85
50% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2006 Audi A8
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Acceleration & Cruise Control
330.0%
Median failure at 44,000 miles
Body & Structure
220.0%
Median failure at 13,000 miles
Electrical System
220.0%
Median failure at 145,000 miles
Doors, Latches & Locks
110.0%
Median failure at 13,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
110.0%
Median failure at 78,865 miles
Lights
110.0%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
112.5%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
337.5%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
112.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
225.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
112.5%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Aug 2008peak 3Feb 2025
Recalls on the 2006 Audi A8
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2006316252 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, in cases where a weak battery exists, it is possible that a low voltage condition could cause the airbag control unit to improperly set a fault code. If this occurs, the passenger-side frontal airbag will become deactivated and would not deploy during a frontal crash. As a result, a passenger-seat occupant could receive more severe injuries. Correction: Dealers will update the airbag control module software.
Recall 200535873 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, an improperly routed ground in the front passenger-side airbag and seat heater harness may cause signal interference. This can result in the deactivation of the passenger-side frontal airbag under circumstances when it should remain activated. If this condition occurs, the passenger-side frontal airbag would not deploy in the case of a frontal crash, possibly exposing the occupant to risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will modify the wiring harness.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Waconia, MN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
NHTSA complaint #11641952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waconia, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11641952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,000 milesLOS Angeles, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
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
NHTSA complaint #10928573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,000 milesLOS Angeles, CA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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
NHTSA complaint #10928573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,000 milesLOS Angeles, CA
STRUCTURE: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 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
NHTSA complaint #10928573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesMilwaukee, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10592058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,865 milesBAY Shore, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10573657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,865 milesBAY Shore, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10573657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,000 milesBellingham, WA
VEHICLE SPEED 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 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.
NHTSA complaint #10275799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95 milesPittsford, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10237329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.