Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2006 Audi A8, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Vehicle speed control3
- Electrical system2
- Fuel system, gasoline1
- Latches/locks/linkages1
- Exterior lighting1
- Structure1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2006 Audi A8 failed the safety check 0.97% of the time — 58% less often than the average 2006 passenger car (2.34%). Median odometer at inspection: 124,822 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
101 first registered in 2006 are on Dutch roads; 50% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €130,941.
Most common APK defects
- Band onvoldoende profiel36
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen25
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde17
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm15
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld15
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse14
- Draaipunt onafhankelijke wielophanging te veel speling10
- Stofhoes aandrijfas beschadigd en dicht niet af8
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
226 cars built in 2006 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 248 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 449 of these cars first registered in 2006 took their annual MOT test. 75% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2006 the figure was 56%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2006 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 9.6% | 21.5% |
| Tyres | 6.7% | 7.4% |
| Suspension | 5.3% | 17.3% |
| Visibility | 4.9% | 7.3% |
| Brakes | 4.7% | 13.1% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.5% | 6.6% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
57 of these cars first registered in 2006 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 348,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
24 2006 cars are on the New Zealand register; 42% arrived as used imports, 58% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 13.0 L/100 km (about 18 mpg US), CO₂ 299 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| A8 · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 15.0 | 10.5 | 13.0 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 2006 Audi A8.
| 2006316 17 Nov 2006 | 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 f… |
| 2005358 14 Nov 2005 | 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 t… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Audi told its dealers about the 2006 Audi A8: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10251038 | Brakes squeel |
| 10251027 | Tightening wheel bolts |
| 10251016 | Self-leveling compressor inoperative |
| 10251012 | Vehicle lowers itself, air suspension warning light on, level sensor error (PR-2MB or 1BK) |
| 10250999 | Shock absorber leaks: assessment aid |
| 10250995 | Clicking noise from wheel bearing |
| 10250968 | Electric steering column adjustment is inoperative |
| 10250966 | Brake pulsation diagnostic guidelines |
| 10250959 | Shock absorber leaks: assessment aid |
| 10250952 | Electric steering column adjustment is inoperative |
| 10250950 | Tightening wheel bolts |
| 10250949 | Steering wheel leather damage, all vehicles |
| 10250679 | Vehicle lowers itself, air suspension warning light on, level sensor error (PR-2MB or 1BK) |
| 10250676 | Self-leveling compressor inoperative |
| 10250665 | Shock absorber leaks: assessment aid |
| 10250658 | Shock absorber leaks: assessment aid |
| 10250654 | Clicking noise from wheel bearing |
| 10250473 | Self-leveling compressor inoperative |
| 10250468 | Clicking noise from wheel bearing |
| 10250430 | Oil consumption measurement - Repair Authorization (CA) |
| 10249085 | Google Maps Street View (NVLW)) |
| 10249054 | Due to new Minnesota state regulations regarding biofuels, biodiesel blends of B5 or less may not be available in the State of Minnesota. |
| 10243930 | This bulletin provides information on the additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries. |
| 10243791 | Audi Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243790 | Audi Elsa Newsletter |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)