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2008 Audi A4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most A4 years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Audi A4 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 76.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

72 reports with mileage · 103 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 116 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

4 reports
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37,000 miles · Sep 10, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 AUDI A4 2.0 WITH APPROXIMATELY 37,000 MILES ON IT. I'VE DRIVEN THE CAR LESS THAN 3000 MILES AND HAD TO ADD 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY MONTH OF OWNERSHIP (3). AUDI DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. LIKE THE PREVIOUS COMPLAINT LISTED ON THIS TOPIC, I TOO HAVE SEE A NUMBER OF BLOGS ON THE SUBJECT OF THE 2008 A4'…

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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 AUDI A4 2.0 WITH APPROXIMATELY 37,000 MILES ON IT. I'VE DRIVEN THE CAR LESS THAN 3000 MILES AND HAD TO ADD 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY MONTH OF OWNERSHIP (3). AUDI DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. LIKE THE PREVIOUS COMPLAINT LISTED ON THIS TOPIC, I TOO HAVE SEE A NUMBER OF BLOGS ON THE SUBJECT OF THE 2008 A4'S HAVING ISSUES WITH EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. I'VE ALSO SEEN MENTION OF A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN BEING ISSUED BY AUDI ON THIS BUT I'VE YET TO FIND IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10424608

20,000 miles · Jul 20, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

I PURCHASED THE A4 USED WITH ONLY 19K MILES ON IT. I NOTICED THAT AFTER DRIVING 1,000 MILES, 1 QUART OF OIL WAS GONE. I FILLED IT BACK UP AND DROVE ANOTHER 1,000 MILES. THE SAME THING. I HAVE A FAMILY RELATIVE WHO OWNS A VW PASSAT WITH THE SAME ENGINE AND HER CAR BURNED OIL TOO. AUDI SAYS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND T…

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I PURCHASED THE A4 USED WITH ONLY 19K MILES ON IT. I NOTICED THAT AFTER DRIVING 1,000 MILES, 1 QUART OF OIL WAS GONE. I FILLED IT BACK UP AND DROVE ANOTHER 1,000 MILES. THE SAME THING. I HAVE A FAMILY RELATIVE WHO OWNS A VW PASSAT WITH THE SAME ENGINE AND HER CAR BURNED OIL TOO. AUDI SAYS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT IT'S SOMETHING THE OWNER WILL HAVE TO GET USED TO. THIS IS NOT NORMAL, SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE ENGINES. THERE ARE SO MANY FORUMS AND SITES DEDICATED TO THE VW/AUDI 2.0T ENGINES CONSUMING OIL. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10413859

Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

PURCHASED 2008 AUDI A4 NEW FROM DEALERSHIP IN OCTOBER 2007. TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, NOTICE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM AT 1QT EVERY 1,000 MILES. DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS NORMAL BUT MY MECHANIC SAID IT IS NOT. WITH THE HELP OF A PRO-BONO ATTORNEY, CONTACTED AUDI AND DEMANDED REPAIR AT 12,000 MILES. AUDI REPLACED RINGS AND CAR WA…

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PURCHASED 2008 AUDI A4 NEW FROM DEALERSHIP IN OCTOBER 2007. TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, NOTICE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM AT 1QT EVERY 1,000 MILES. DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS NORMAL BUT MY MECHANIC SAID IT IS NOT. WITH THE HELP OF A PRO-BONO ATTORNEY, CONTACTED AUDI AND DEMANDED REPAIR AT 12,000 MILES. AUDI REPLACED RINGS AND CAR WAS FINE FOR 24,000 MILES. AT 36,000 MILES, LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON - 1 QT LOW AGAIN. HAD OIL CHANGED BY MY MECHANIC AND TWO DAYS LATER A NEW PROBLEM - LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH CAR (NO CODES, DRIVES FINE). I DEMAND THROUGH AUDI AN OIL PRESSURE TEST. TEST CAME BACK NORMAL. THEY TOLD ME TO DRIVE THE CAR AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT IS STILL COMING ON EVERY 20 MINUTES OF DRIVING. THE CAR GOES BACK IN THE SHOP AGAIN THIS WEEK. CAR IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10300114

500 miles · May 18, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

SINCE WE LEASED OUR 08 AUDI A4 QUATTRO 2.0T WE HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE CAR SEEMING TO LOOSE POWER AND JERK USUALLY WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 60 AND 70MPH. WE HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE REPLACED OR REPAIRED THE FOLLOWING UNDER WARRANTY: TWO DIVERTER VALVES (FIRST AT 500 MILES AND THE SECOND AT 1200 MILES) THE CAR WOU…

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SINCE WE LEASED OUR 08 AUDI A4 QUATTRO 2.0T WE HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE CAR SEEMING TO LOOSE POWER AND JERK USUALLY WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 60 AND 70MPH. WE HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE REPLACED OR REPAIRED THE FOLLOWING UNDER WARRANTY: TWO DIVERTER VALVES (FIRST AT 500 MILES AND THE SECOND AT 1200 MILES) THE CAR WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHEN COLD AS IF RUNNING ON 2CYL, REMOVED AN AIR FILTER PRE-SCREEN (AT 5000 MILES SCHEDULED SERVICE), REPLACED THE TURBO CHARGER AND BATTERY POWER CABLE (8500 MILES). UN-FORTUNATELY THE VEHICLE CONTINUES WITH THE PROBLEM AT 13,880 MILES. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE CONSUMES OIL AND NOW ONLY GIVES US 15-17MPG IN THE CITY, WHICH WE HAVE BEEN TOLD ARE BOTH NORMAL BY MAPLEWOOD AUDI. I CAN SAY THAT IF WE HAD KNOW ABOUT THE VEHICLES OIL CONSUMPTION, POOR FUEL MILEAGE (ESPECIALLY FOR A 4CYL ENGINE) AND THE ENGINE JERK WE WOULD HAVE NEVER LEASED THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269117

Official recalls

4

18V427000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jun 22, 2018

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

17V032000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 11, 2017

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

16V382000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jun 1, 2016

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Audi A4, and 2005-2011 Audi A6 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Audi A4, and 2005-2008 Audi A6 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, 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." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling model year 2004 Audi A4 vehicles originally sold, or 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, and 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834.

16V376000 · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

May 27, 2016

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Audi A4, A5, and Q5 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69O1.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Audi A4, A5, and Q5 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.

Consequence: If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69O1.

Air Bags

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Audi A4, A5, and Q5 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.

Consequence: If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69O1.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.