The Lemon Index
200520073rd generation (C6)
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 16,216 in the U.S. in 2006 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 10 complaints in its first 3 years.
10 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2006 Lexus ES2006 BMW 5 Series 732006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 83
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 8 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 18V427000 (airbags), 17V032000 (airbags) and 16V382000 (airbags) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Audi sent dealers 417 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Engine does not start/intermittent no start using advance key start button, starts w/key &…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Audi's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 10 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 10K to 53K miles (16K to 86K km) on the car (8 of all 10 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Problems Audi told dealers about
Audi sent dealers 417 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Engine does not start/intermittent no start using advance key start button, starts w/key &…
- Control housing for camshaft adjuster, ensuring shim washer installation when repairing
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Airbags · recall issued 2018
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.
- Airbags · recall issued 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 4 recalls
- Body structure · recall issued 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE AUTOMATIC REAR LID INCLUDES AN ELECTRIC MOTOR AND CLUTCH THAT WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH TWO GAS STRUTS TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE REAR LID, INCLUDING A MANUAL CLOSE FUNCTION…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,800–$4,400 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.1L 6-cyl, 4.2L 8-cyl.
Every Audi A6 year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2006 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/audi-a6/?y=2006" title="Audi A6 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="330" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/audi-a6/2006/">Lemon Index</a> (2006 Audi A6 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2006 Audi A6 reliable?
We can't score it: only 16,216 were sold in the U.S. in 2006 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 10 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2006 Audi A6 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (50%), engine (20%) and speed control (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Audi A6 have?
4 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Audi A6 get?
18 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2006 Audi A6 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2006 Audi A6 cost in fuel a year?
About $3,800 to $4,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Audi A6 have?
3.1L 6-cyl, 4.2L 8-cyl.
What Audi A6 year is better than the 2006?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2015 drew the fewest (about a third as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works