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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

175 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2016
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10917513

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2016
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED O…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10916541

Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2016
Air Bags

WAITING ON RECALL ITS BEEN OVER 8 MONTHS

NHTSA ODI #10914912

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

5 miles · Oct 4, 2016
Exterior Lighting

LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY BLINDING OTHER DRIVERS ON LOW BEAM

NHTSA ODI #10913616

Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2016
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL. SAFETY RECALL 69N2. I RECEIVED TWO NOTICES OF THIS RECALL FROM AUDI OF AMERICAN, INC, THE LAST ON APRIL 28, 2016. A TELEPHONE CALL TO THE DEALER (AUDI OF HILTON HEAD) AT THAT TIME ADVISED THAT REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE, WITH NO ESTIMATE AS TO WHEN REPAIRS WILL BE MADE. I AM CONCERNED THAT CORRECTIVE…

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TAKATA RECALL. SAFETY RECALL 69N2. I RECEIVED TWO NOTICES OF THIS RECALL FROM AUDI OF AMERICAN, INC, THE LAST ON APRIL 28, 2016. A TELEPHONE CALL TO THE DEALER (AUDI OF HILTON HEAD) AT THAT TIME ADVISED THAT REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE, WITH NO ESTIMATE AS TO WHEN REPAIRS WILL BE MADE. I AM CONCERNED THAT CORRECTIVE ACTION IS LONG OVER DUE AND THAT A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION REMAINS.

NHTSA ODI #10910525

Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2016
Air Bags

"TAKATA RECALL" NO PARTS AVAILABLE. WENT TO PRESTIGE AUDI TO STATE MY CONCERN ABOUT A RENTAL OR LOANER CAR. THEY TOLD ME TO DRIVE THE CAR LIKE THAT. IT ISNT TO DANGEROUS. THIS RECALL CAN CAUSE A FATALITY. WHY DO I HAVE TO WAIT. I NEED ANSWERS . I DRIVE AROUND ALOT

NHTSA ODI #10908022

Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2016
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT E…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10907652

123,000 miles · Sep 17, 2016
Exterior Lighting

MY CAR GAVE ME THIS MESSAGE" LEFT HEADLIGHT MAIN BEAM DIPPED AND THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WENT OFF. THE LEFT HEAD LIGHT COME ON FOR A WHILE WHEN I START THE CAR IN THE NIGHT FOR A WHILE AND THEN GOES OFF WHEN I AM ON THE ROAD. I CHECKED WITH THE AUDI USA CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AND THEY DIDN'T GIVE ME ANY PLAUSIBLE EXPLANATION. I WENT O…

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MY CAR GAVE ME THIS MESSAGE" LEFT HEADLIGHT MAIN BEAM DIPPED AND THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WENT OFF. THE LEFT HEAD LIGHT COME ON FOR A WHILE WHEN I START THE CAR IN THE NIGHT FOR A WHILE AND THEN GOES OFF WHEN I AM ON THE ROAD. I CHECKED WITH THE AUDI USA CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AND THEY DIDN'T GIVE ME ANY PLAUSIBLE EXPLANATION. I WENT ONLINE WITH MY CAR PROBLEM AND FOUND OUT THAT MANY AUDI 2005-2009 HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE AUDI DEALERSHIPS DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE WITH THEIR CARS

NHTSA ODI #10907400

112,000 miles · Sep 13, 2016
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL MY COMPLAIN IS THE LACK OF IMPORTANCE BY AUDI AND TAKATA WHEN THEY DONT HAVE A TIME TABLE AS TO WHEN PARTS ARE GOING TO BECOME AVAILABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND THEY DONT CARE IF YOU HAVE TO SIT YOUR SPOUSE OR CHILDREN AND POTENTIALLY EXPOSE THEM TO A TRAGEDY, SHOULD YOU BE INVOLVED IN A AUTO ACCIDENT. IN MY CAS…

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TAKATA RECALL MY COMPLAIN IS THE LACK OF IMPORTANCE BY AUDI AND TAKATA WHEN THEY DONT HAVE A TIME TABLE AS TO WHEN PARTS ARE GOING TO BECOME AVAILABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND THEY DONT CARE IF YOU HAVE TO SIT YOUR SPOUSE OR CHILDREN AND POTENTIALLY EXPOSE THEM TO A TRAGEDY, SHOULD YOU BE INVOLVED IN A AUTO ACCIDENT. IN MY CASE I HAVE 2 VEHICLES, DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS AND BOTH OF THEM HAVE THE SAME RECALL FOR THE AIR BAGS.

NHTSA ODI #10906042

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.