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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

Power Train complaints

12 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2022
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

2021 I brought an Audi A4 Quattro 2.0 2008 after having a test drive and haven't looked over the mechanic just said it was the fuel pressure high pressure sensor that was not a big deal after an hour buying it it took it to see my mom and it quit on me I had to have it towed home it would not start I took it to the mechanic and …

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2021 I brought an Audi A4 Quattro 2.0 2008 after having a test drive and haven't looked over the mechanic just said it was the fuel pressure high pressure sensor that was not a big deal after an hour buying it it took it to see my mom and it quit on me I had to have it towed home it would not start I took it to the mechanic and the mechanic said the same thing that it was a high pressure fuel pressure sensor so I purchased one and put on it couple months later it did the same thing the check engine light came on and it was told it was fuel pressure high pressure sensor again so I changed a fuel sensor two fuel pumps in the engine to electrical fuel pumps in the back four sensors camshaft sensor the cam follower PPC valves body throttle can follower engine light still comes on the car does not want to seem like it wants to accelerate when it gets to the normal temperature save your driving for 10 or 15 minutes still normal temperature not the radio the temperature it will start to cut off the RPM drops very fast I also have put in a fuel pressure regulator and a fuel pressure filter just the other day it came out again saying the same thing p0089 Dakota's always been throwing ever since I brought the car and p 02993 it says performance one and performance too I have put a lot of money in to get in this car fixed in the I believe there is something wrong with with the fuel system in the cars they need to be on a recall

NHTSA ODI #11490502

110,000 miles · Aug 7, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemPower Train

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA ODI #11242172

64,000 miles · Jul 3, 2018
Power Train

ON 7/2/18 I MERGED ON TO 280 S FROM MOORPARK AVENUE IN SAN JOSE. I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT A MILE @ 60 (I DO NOT USE CRUISE CONTROL) WHEN ENGINE STARTED TO ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY. I STEPPED ON BRAKE WHICH SLOWED MY VEHICLE BUT WHEN I REMOVED FOOT FROM BRAKE IT STARTED TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO EXIT FREEWAY SAFELY AND PULL O…

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ON 7/2/18 I MERGED ON TO 280 S FROM MOORPARK AVENUE IN SAN JOSE. I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT A MILE @ 60 (I DO NOT USE CRUISE CONTROL) WHEN ENGINE STARTED TO ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY. I STEPPED ON BRAKE WHICH SLOWED MY VEHICLE BUT WHEN I REMOVED FOOT FROM BRAKE IT STARTED TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO EXIT FREEWAY SAFELY AND PULL OVER INTO AN EMPTY PARKING LOT. WHEN I TURNED OFF ENGINE I BELIEVE I HEAR A LOUD "ROAR" NOISE. EXPERIENCE WAS FRIGHTENING. I WAS AFRAID I WOULD LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND CAUSE MAJOR INJURY. I CHECKED FLOOR MAT AND FLOOR TO SEE IF THERE WAS OBSTRUCTION BUT THERE WAS NONE. I CALLED TOW COMPANY BUT AFTER WAITING 3 HOURS FOR C&M TOWING TO NOT SHOW UP I DECIDED TO DRIVER CAR AROUND PARKING LOT TO SEE HOW IT WOULD DRIVE. IT DROVE FINE SO I DROVE HOME ON SURFACE STREETS. THE NEXT DAY TOOK 2008 AUDI A4 WITH 64K MILES IN TO OUR MECHANIC. DIAGNOSTICS DID NOT SHOW ANY ERROR CODES.I DO NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. STILL I NEED TO REPORT THIS FOR THE PUBLIC RECORD,IN THE EVENT THIS HAPPENS AGAIN TO ME OR OTHERS AND IT DOES NOT END WELL. LINDA

NHTSA ODI #11105428

68,000 miles · Jul 3, 2018
Power Train

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM RESULTS IN PRNDS LIGHT FLASHING, INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION CHANGES GEARS WHICH LEADS TO LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. SIMILAR PROBLEM LED TO RECALL OF PREVIOUS MODELS. AUDI SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REMEDYING THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION.

NHTSA ODI #11105331

100,000 miles · Mar 31, 2018
Air BagsElectrical SystemPower Train

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA ODI #11082275

62,000 miles · Aug 9, 2017
Power Train

MY A4 RANDOMLY SWITCHES INTO NEUTRAL AS I AM DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE NO CONTROL AND HAVE COASTED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD ON ONE OCCASION WHEN "DRIVE" WOULD NOT RE-ENGAGE. MY DASHBOARD SCREEN FLASHES OVER THE PRND TRANSMISSION INDICATORS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON ALSO, SO I TOOK THE CAR TO THE AUDI DEALER IN SOUT…

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MY A4 RANDOMLY SWITCHES INTO NEUTRAL AS I AM DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE NO CONTROL AND HAVE COASTED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD ON ONE OCCASION WHEN "DRIVE" WOULD NOT RE-ENGAGE. MY DASHBOARD SCREEN FLASHES OVER THE PRND TRANSMISSION INDICATORS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON ALSO, SO I TOOK THE CAR TO THE AUDI DEALER IN SOUTH ORLANDO. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE HAS GONE BAD AND WILL COST $3100 TO REPAIR. THE CAR ALSO WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE ABOUT EVERY 3RD OR 4TH TIME I SELECT THIS GEAR. MY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS SAME PROBLEM WAS A RECALL ON 2004-2006 MODELS, SO I WOULD ASSUME AUDI WILL RECALL THIS MODEL YEAR AS WELL. MY A4 HAS 62,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY THE DEALER SINCE NEW. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS SAFETY ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN ELEVATED TO A RECALL STATUS ALREADY GIVEN THE PREVIOUS HISTORY OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON THE SAME MODELS.

NHTSA ODI #11013886

11,000 miles · Jun 8, 2017
Air BagsElectrical SystemPower Train

IT HAPPENS WHEN I TURN THE CAR ON AND I GO TO PARK IT. WHEN I PASS REVERSE. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN A LOT MORE OFTEN AFTER IT RAINS. MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING INTO LIMP MODE DUE TO A MAJOR FAULT. CODE P0706: TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR CIRCUIT RANGE/PERFORMANCE THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR TELLS THE TCM THE POSITION OF THE GEAR LEVER.…

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IT HAPPENS WHEN I TURN THE CAR ON AND I GO TO PARK IT. WHEN I PASS REVERSE. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN A LOT MORE OFTEN AFTER IT RAINS. MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING INTO LIMP MODE DUE TO A MAJOR FAULT. CODE P0706: TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR CIRCUIT RANGE/PERFORMANCE THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR TELLS THE TCM THE POSITION OF THE GEAR LEVER. IT ALSO CONTAINS A NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH, WHICH ENSURES THAT YOU CAN ONLY START YOUR CAR IN NEUTRAL OR PARK. POTENTIAL CAUSES FOR THIS CODE TO SET ARE: FAULTY TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR MISADJUSTED TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR OPEN OR SHORTED TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR HARNESS FAULTY PCM IT HAPPENS TO A LOT OF THE A4 AUDI'S. ITS DANGEROUS AND ITS NOT ANYTHING THAT OWNERS OF THE AUDIS DID OR DID NOT DO. I HAVE NEVER NEGLECTED MY CAR. IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS ENEVATABLE BECAUSE IT WAS CAUSED DURING THE MANUFACTURING.

NHTSA ODI #10993863

101,000 miles · Oct 4, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train

I WAS DRIVING ON ROUT 62 WITH MY 16 YEAR OLD NIECE AND MY CAR FELT LIKE IT WENT INTO NEUTRAL, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH STARTED FLASHING. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT TIGHT BUT I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. IT KEEPS HAPPENING AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE. (ESPECIALLY KNOWING THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL BECAUSE MY AIRBAGS MAY…

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I WAS DRIVING ON ROUT 62 WITH MY 16 YEAR OLD NIECE AND MY CAR FELT LIKE IT WENT INTO NEUTRAL, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH STARTED FLASHING. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT TIGHT BUT I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. IT KEEPS HAPPENING AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE. (ESPECIALLY KNOWING THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL BECAUSE MY AIRBAGS MAY NOT WORK OR WORSE, CAUSE SEVERE INJURY DUE TO METAL SHRAPNEL) I ALSO READ THAT MY CAR HAS A HIDDEN DEFECT THAT THE TIMING CHAIN CAN GO AT ANY TIME, CAUSING CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. I BROUGHT IT TO AN INDEPENDENT VOLKSWAGEN AUDI MECHANIC WHERE THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC. HE TOLD ME TO BRING IT TO SOMEPLACE THAT SPECIALIZES IN TRANSMISSIONS.I LOOKED IN MY OWNERS MANUAL AND UNDER TRANSMISSIONS. IT SAYS IF THIS HAPPENS DRIVE IT TO YOUR NEAREST AUDI SHOP. I EMAILED AUDI BECAUSE I READ THAT THERE WERE RECALLS AND TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ABOUT THE DIAGNOSTIC CODE P0606. I SAW THAT THERE ARE MANY CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS AND COMPLAINTS ALL ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. I CAN'T WAIT YEARS FOR A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. I LIVE IN NEW ENGLAND AND IT'S GETTING COLD. THIS IS MY ONLY CAR. I BOUGHT 6 MONTHS AGO, IN NOVEMBER. I HAVE DONE ALL THE SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDED BY AUDI. WHAT EVER IT IS THAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR, AUDI HAS FIXED OTHER CARS BUT NOT FIXING MINE AND MY CAR. I TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF MY CAR, INSIDE AND OUT. IT HAS BEEN SERVICED AT EVERY RECOMMEND MILAGE DATE. NOTHING HAS EVER GONE NEGLECTED. MY CAR IS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE AND IT IS DUE TO DEFECTS THAT WERE MADE DURING MANUFACTURING. I DO NOT TRUST AUDI CUSTOMER SERVICE OR THE AUDI SERVICE CENTER.

NHTSA ODI #10913848

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2016
Power Train

THE PARK,REVERSE,NEUTRAL,DRIVE DISPLAY FLASHES WHICH INDICATES THAT THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING IN CAUTION MODE. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RUN IN REVERSE AND WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING IT SEEMS AS IF IT WANTS TO CHANGE GEARS SUCH AS FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL. MY RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2008 MODELS. MY RESEA…

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THE PARK,REVERSE,NEUTRAL,DRIVE DISPLAY FLASHES WHICH INDICATES THAT THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING IN CAUTION MODE. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RUN IN REVERSE AND WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING IT SEEMS AS IF IT WANTS TO CHANGE GEARS SUCH AS FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL. MY RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2008 MODELS. MY RESEARCH ALSO INDICATES THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. I AM NOT AWARE IF THIS PROBLEM AFFECTED OTHER YEAR MODELS OR IF AUDI CORRECTED THE PROBLEM AFTER 2008. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN JULY OF 2016 WITH THE PROBLEM AND THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS A RECALL PROBLEM. WHEN I RECENTLY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A AUDI DEALERSHIP THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS NOT A RECALL PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMATION SOUNDS FALSE SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I AM MAKING THIS COMPLAINT TO SEE IF AN INVESTIGATION IS WARRANTED FOR ME AND OTHER OWNERS OF THE 2008 AUDI A4.

NHTSA ODI #10895274

82,240 miles · Jan 11, 2015
Power Train

TRANSMISSION SHIFTING OUT OF CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10671686

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.