2006 Audi S4
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2006 models.

- Class
- Subcompact Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan AWD, Avant 4dr Wagon AWD, Cabriolet 4dr Conv AWD
- Engines
- 4.2L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 16 combined · 14 city / 21 hwy
- Length
- 179.9–180.7 in
- Curb weight
- 3,869–4,211 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 16 MPG combined, 25% below the 2006 subcompact car average of 21.2 MPG.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 15 similar 2006 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2006 Audi S4 is a subcompact car offered with a 4.2L 8-cyl engine and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 181 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,869 lb (4dr Sedan AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 16 MPG combined (14 city / 21 highway), 25% worse than the 2006 subcompact car average of 21.2 MPG, for an estimated $5,150 a year in fuel.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2006
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2005 S4 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2005; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2005 S4 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan AWD | 180.7 in | 70.1 in | 56.3 in | 104.3 in | 59.1 / 59.1 in | 3,869 lb | 56/44 |
| Avant 4dr Wagon AWD | 180.7 in | 69.7 in | 57.1 in | 104.3 in | 59.8 / 59.4 in | 3,979 lb | |
| Cabriolet 4dr Conv AWD | 179.9 in | 70.5 in | 54.7 in | 104.3 in | 59.8 / 59.4 in | 4,211 lb | 53/47 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S4 Cabriolet | 4.2L 8-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 20 / 16 | -25% | $5,150 | 555 |
| S4 Cabriolet | 4.2L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -25% | $5,150 | 555 |
| S4 | 4.2L 8-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 20 / 16 | -28% | $5,150 | 555 |
| S4 | 4.2L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 21 / 16 | -28% | $5,150 | 555 |
| S4 Avant | 4.2L 8-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 20 / 16 | -29% | $5,150 | 555 |
| S4 Avant | 4.2L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 21 / 16 | -29% | $5,150 | 555 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2006 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2006 Audi S4 under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2006 subcompact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 Audi S4 (this car) | 16 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2006 Lexus IS | 24 MPG | Not rated | 10 |
| 2006 Audi A4 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2006 Lexus GS | 22 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2006 Volvo S60 | 22 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2006 Cadillac CTS | 19 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2006 Volvo S80 | 22 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
Recalls (2)
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jun 22, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V427000 · 237,947 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Sedan, A4 Avant, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan, 2007-2008 RS4 Sedan, 2004 RS4 Cabriolet, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2005-2011 A6 Sedan, 2006-2011 A6 Avant, and 2007-2011 S6 Sedan vehicles. 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. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag with an alternate remedy part, free of charge. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R7. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 16V382, 17V032 and 18V004 and includes vehicles that may have had their air bag previously replaced under one of those campaigns.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 11, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V032000 · 33,421 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Avant, A4 Sedan, A6 Sedan, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan vehicles, 2007-2008 A4 Cabriolet, RS4 Sedan, S4 Cabriolet and S6 Sedan vehicles, and 2006-2008 A6 Avant and 2008 RS4 Cabriolet vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 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. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall number 18V427.
Not every 2006 Audi S4 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2006 Audi S4 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 7 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Exterior Lighting — 3 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Electrical System — 1 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 145,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2006 Audi S4. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other S4 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 S4 | 24 | 187.8 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 S4 | 24 | 187.8 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 S4 | 24 | 187.8 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 S4 | 24 | 187.8 in | Not rated | 1 | 1 |
| 2021 S4 | 23 | 187.8 in | Not rated | 4 | 2 |
| 2020 S4 | 23 | 187.8 in | Not rated | 3 | 17 |
| 2019 S4 | 24 | 186.2 in | Not rated | 1 | 2 |
| 2018 S4 | 24 | 186.2 in | Not rated | 2 | 7 |
| 2016 S4 | 21 | 185 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 S4 | 21 | 185 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 1 |
| 2014 S4 | 21 | 185 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 17 |
| 2013 S4 | 21 | 185 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 15 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →