Audi A8 Recall R/2006/159: Air Bag May Not Deploy In An Impact, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 25 Oct 2006
- Launched
- 1,543
- vehicles in the UK
- R/2006/159
- DVSA reference
Audi recalled A8 vehicles built between 1 December 2002 and 1 May 2005. It may be possible that the driver's airbag may not inflate in an optimum manner during a collision. The dealer will replace the driver's airbag. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
It may be possible that the driver's airbag may not inflate in an optimum manner during a collision.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN AN IMPACT Defect: It may be possible that the driver's airbag may not inflate in an optimum manner during a collision. Remedy: Recalled vehicles will have the driver's airbag replaced.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: air bag may not deploy in an impact.
The Fix
The dealer will replace the driver's airbag.
Are You Affected?
A8 built between 1 December 2002 and 1 May 2005 may be included. Audi estimates 1,543 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Audi, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Audi.
- Book with any franchised Audi dealer, quoting the DVSA reference R/2006/159. See how to get a Audi recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| A8, Q7, Q8Software update for battery control unit | Urgent | R/2025/441 | |
| A8Replacing front suspension link | Book soon | R/2024/310 | |
| A6, A7, A8The mesh size of the oil strainer in the oil supply for both turbochargers is too small | Low | R/2022/132 | |
| A4, A5, A6, A8 and 4 moreFollowing a previous campaign the toe and/or camber values on the rear axle may in certain circumstances incorrectly be changed without this being noticed | Book soon | R/2022/036 | |
| A4, A6, A8, TTFunction of the driver airbag might be restricted due to its age | Urgent | R/2021/330 |
This is one of 158 Audi recalls in DVSA’s data. The Audi recall launched before it was R/2006/136 on 6 Sep 2006, for curtain airbag may not inflate in a collision. The one launched after it was R/2007/120 on 25 Sep 2007, for tailgate may close without warning. You can also see every Audi recall, all recalls launched in 2006 and airbag recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2006/159, launched 25 October 2006. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.