Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 123 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Audi A3, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 54 | 44% |
| Power train | 31 | 25% |
| Exterior lighting | 9 | 7% |
| Suspension | 4 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 2% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 2% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 1% |
| Unknown or other | 1 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 co
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I totaled my car about two weeks ago, and none of my passenger side airbags deployed. (Front passenger, front side, or Rear passenger side)
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I totaled my car about two weeks ago. And none of my passenger side airbags deployed ( front , front side, nor rear passenger side)
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 ACT
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
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.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 18V082000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXC
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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, REPLA
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE BEEN CALLING THE AUDI DEALER FOR OVER 4 MONTHS ABOUT THIS AIR BAG. THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT THEY ARE WAITING FOR PARTS FROM TAKATA, NOTHING MUCH ELSE THAT THEY CAN DO. I NEED TO KNOW THAT IF SOMETHI
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2006 Audi A3. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 m
Risk: 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
Fix: 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 Volkswage
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.
Risk: 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
Fix: 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
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
Risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: 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 AU
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING PRODUCTION OF THE AIR BAG, EITHER THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG INFLATION MODULE MAY LEAK.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT INFLATE AS DESIGNED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A SEAT OCCUPANT.
Fix: 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.
| Reliability raw | 76 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 71 | good |
| Maintenance | 69 | good |
| Depreciation | 67 | good |
| Performance | 52 | average |
| Efficiency | 43 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other wagons in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 123 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 54 of them (44%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 76/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 71/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.