2006 Audi A3 Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 56 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the 2006 Audi A3, 46% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 120,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “takata air bags” (21% of reports).
- 56air bags complaints
- 120,000median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 3related recalls
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Takata air bags: mentioned in 12 of 56 complaints (21%)
At what mileage do air bags problems happen?
Based on 11 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 56 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 2 an injury.
Audi A3 air bags complaints by model year
| Model year | Air Bags complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 A3 | 3 | 33% | 26,000 |
| 2020 A3 | 9 | 56% | 7,000 |
| 2019 A3 | 3 | 30% | 13,500 |
| 2018 A3 | 17 | 52% | 16,500 |
| 2017 A3 | 16 | 36% | 47,500 |
| 2016 A3 | 37 | 45% | 44,000 |
| 2015 A3 | 45 | 48% | 53,250 |
| 2013 A3 | 10 | 50% | 40,500 |
| 2012 A3 | 31 | 72% | 60,000 |
| 2011 A3 | 20 | 47% | 48,000 |
| 2010 A3 | 13 | 26% | 96,000 |
| 2009 A3 | 22 | 47% | 88,500 |
| 2008 A3 | 24 | 56% | 87,000 |
| 2007 A3 | 32 | 62% | 77,500 |
| 2006 A3 | 56 | 46% | 120,000 |
| 2003 A3 | 1 | 50% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: 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 inflator to explode.
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 or death.
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 Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: 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 death.
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 at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Air bags:side/window
Problem: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2006 Audi A3. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the passengerâs side air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, he heard an abnormal rattling sound coming from the passengerâs 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 , front side, nor rear passenger side)
I totaled my car about two weeks ago, and none of my passenger side airbags deployed. (Front passenger, front side, or Rear passenger side)
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2006 Audi A3s have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 56 owner complaints about air bags for the 2006 Audi A3 (46% of the 123 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2006 Audi A3 air bags?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do air bags problems start?
The median reported mileage is 120,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the 2006 Audi A3?
The most frequent phrase is “takata air bags”, in 12 of 56 complaints.
See all 2006 Audi A3 problems or air bags problems across all A3 years.