TRANSMISSION SHIFTING OUT OF CONTROL. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all A4 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
175 reportsSHORTLY AFTER PURCHASED CAR, I COMPLAINED THAT CAR WAS BURNING OIL. I WAS ASSURED THIS WAS NORMAL AND NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. CONTINUED MORE AND MORE. I ASKED WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO COVER THIS ADDED EXPENSE. THEY GAVE ME OIL FOR AWHILE, BUT THAT ENDED. IN 2913 I WAS INFORMED THE SEALS WERE BAD THAT IS WHY IT WAS USING OIL. THEY LIE…
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SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASED CAR, I COMPLAINED THAT CAR WAS BURNING OIL. I WAS ASSURED THIS WAS NORMAL AND NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. CONTINUED MORE AND MORE. I ASKED WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO COVER THIS ADDED EXPENSE. THEY GAVE ME OIL FOR AWHILE, BUT THAT ENDED. IN 2913 I WAS INFORMED THE SEALS WERE BAD THAT IS WHY IT WAS USING OIL. THEY LIED AND DENIED AN OIL LEAK FOR OVER 3 YEARS. WILL NOT COVER ANY COSTS TO REPAIR. MORE RECENT MY HEADLIGHT WENT OUT AND THEY WILL NOT COVER THIS EXPENSE EITHER. THIS IS THE SECOND AUDI WITH HEADLIGHT ISSUE. I WAS NEVER SENT NOTICE ABOUT THE FIRST HEADLIGHT IN WHICH AUDI AGREED TO REIMBURSE. THEY WILL NOT PAY ME BECAUSE THEY CLAIM I DID NOT FILE IN TIME. NOW MY CURRENT AUDI HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. I CALLED AUDI AND WILL NOT PAY OR ACKNOWLEDGE IT IS A PROBLEM. *TR
WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE CAR SHUDDERS WHILE GOING INTO 2ND AND 1ST GEAR AS IF SOMEONE HAS JUST REAR ENDED THE CAR. TOOK THE AUDI TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER IN MY AREA AND FINDINGS ARE THAT IT IS THE MECHATRONIC THAT IS DEFECTIVE. FINDING IS THAT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND AUDI IS NOT TAKING ANY ACTION AFTER CONTACTING …
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WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE CAR SHUDDERS WHILE GOING INTO 2ND AND 1ST GEAR AS IF SOMEONE HAS JUST REAR ENDED THE CAR. TOOK THE AUDI TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER IN MY AREA AND FINDINGS ARE THAT IT IS THE MECHATRONIC THAT IS DEFECTIVE. FINDING IS THAT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND AUDI IS NOT TAKING ANY ACTION AFTER CONTACTING AOA. REPAIR COST IS $2700. *TR
ALL FOUR TPMS SENSORS NEED REPLACING ALONG WITH NEW TIRES. RIGHT SIDE MOTOR MOUNT IS LEAKING FLUID, AND WIPERS STREAK. 80,616 MILEAGE. IN 2012 I BOUGHT NEW TIRES, WIPERS AND REGULAR OIL CHANGES. I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT NOW I'M FACED WITH A LEAKING MOTOR MOUNT. I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR, I SHOULDN'T HAVE THESE MAJOR REPAIR IS…
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ALL FOUR TPMS SENSORS NEED REPLACING ALONG WITH NEW TIRES. RIGHT SIDE MOTOR MOUNT IS LEAKING FLUID, AND WIPERS STREAK. 80,616 MILEAGE. IN 2012 I BOUGHT NEW TIRES, WIPERS AND REGULAR OIL CHANGES. I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT NOW I'M FACED WITH A LEAKING MOTOR MOUNT. I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR, I SHOULDN'T HAVE THESE MAJOR REPAIR ISSUES. [XXX] 'INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
I ACCIDENTALLY DROVE OVER THE RUMBLE STRIP ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW AND THE CAR FLIPPED OVER SIX TIMES AND CHANGED DIRECTION. EVERY SIDE AIR BAG INFLATED EXCEPTED FOR MY SIDE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. THE FRONT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER. MY A4 WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED EXCEPT FOR WHERE I WAS …
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I ACCIDENTALLY DROVE OVER THE RUMBLE STRIP ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW AND THE CAR FLIPPED OVER SIX TIMES AND CHANGED DIRECTION. EVERY SIDE AIR BAG INFLATED EXCEPTED FOR MY SIDE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. THE FRONT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER. MY A4 WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED EXCEPT FOR WHERE I WAS SITTING. WHEN THE FIRST RESPONDERS CAME THEY DID NOT EXPECT FOR ME TO BE ALIVE AND THE ACCIDENT WAS CLASSIFIED AS A LEVEL 2 TRAUMA. I HIT MY HEAD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AND SUFFERED A MAJOR CONCUSSION WITH A HEMATOMA. I ALSO HAD MAJOR FACIAL LACERATIONS, A BROKEN NOSE, BROKEN RIBS, AND A SEVERE BONE BRUISE ON MY KNEE. AUDI SENT AN INSPECTOR TO THE CAR AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND HIS CONCLUSION WAS THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH IMPACT ON THE SIDE OF THE CAR EVEN THOUGH THE CAR FLIPPED SIX TIMES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS TO DEPLOY MY SIDE AIR BAG. EVERY OTHER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE ONLY OTHER PASSENGERS IN THE CAR WERE MY TWO LABRADORS. NO OTHER ADULTS WERE IN THE CAR. THE TWO LABRADORS EACH WEIGHED LESS THAN 65 POUNDS AND I WEIGH 135 POUNDS. AUDI HAS GIVEN ME A FREE MAINTENANCE PACKAGE FOR MY NEXT AUDI. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER. A DVD OF PICTURES WAS MADE OF THE CAR ALONG WITH A REPORT OF THE CONDITION OF THE CAR AFTER THE ACCIDENT. *JS
INITIALLY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER SUGGESTED OIL CHANGE WELL BEFORE DUE AS SOLUTION. PROBLEM IS FAILING HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. FAILING FUEL PUMP CAUSES CAMSHAFT AND VALVE LIFTERS TO WEAR PREMATURELY. AS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILS CAR LOSES POWER AND/OR LOSES ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. CAR IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS…
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INITIALLY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER SUGGESTED OIL CHANGE WELL BEFORE DUE AS SOLUTION. PROBLEM IS FAILING HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. FAILING FUEL PUMP CAUSES CAMSHAFT AND VALVE LIFTERS TO WEAR PREMATURELY. AS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILS CAR LOSES POWER AND/OR LOSES ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. CAR IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS IN SITUATIONS SUCH AS CROSSING TRAFFIC, ACCELERATING TO GET UP TO SPEED, MAY LOSE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PASS OTHER VEHICLES - VERY UNSAFE ON 2 LANE ROADS. PROBLEM OF LITTLE TO NO ACCELERATION IS INTERMITTENT AND WITHOUT WARNING AND CAN BE FREQUENT. SAME PARTS AND PROBLEMS AS DOCUMENTED ON PRIOR MODELS YEARS, INCLUDING 2007 AUDI A4'S (PREVIOUS MODEL YEAR) THAT WERE COVERED EITHER DUE TO RECALL OR MANUFACTURE EXTENDING THE WARRANTY DUE TO PRODUCT DEFECT. 2008 MODELS WERE STILL UNDER INITIAL MANUFACTURER WARRANTY FOR AGE OF VEHICLE WHEN PRIOR YEARS BECAME COVERED / RECALLED. COST AT AUDI DEALER TO FIX WERE OVER $1600. DEALER PAPERWORK STATES PROBLEM IS "NOT UNCOMMON ON THIS MOTOR." *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A VERY LOUD EXPLOSION SOUND. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BACK WINDSHIELD HAD EXPLODED AND THERE WAS SHATTERED GLASS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A VERY LOUD EXPLOSION SOUND. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BACK WINDSHIELD HAD EXPLODED AND THERE WAS SHATTERED GLASS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. UPDATED 11/20/14*CN
THE VEHICLE HAD A LONG STANDING OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM COMMONLY KNOWN ON THIS MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE WHICH AUDI ACKNOWLEDGED BY AUTHORIZING A REPAIR. AS A RESULT, AUDI OF AMERICA AND SCHMITT'S AUDI IN BOWMANSVILLE, NY AGREED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE PISTON RINGS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH I REPORTED THE PROBLEM MULTIPLE TIM…
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THE VEHICLE HAD A LONG STANDING OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM COMMONLY KNOWN ON THIS MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE WHICH AUDI ACKNOWLEDGED BY AUTHORIZING A REPAIR. AS A RESULT, AUDI OF AMERICA AND SCHMITT'S AUDI IN BOWMANSVILLE, NY AGREED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE PISTON RINGS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH I REPORTED THE PROBLEM MULTIPLE TIMES DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD, AUDI DID NOT AGREE TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS UNTIL AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE ENGINE WAS TAKEN APART BY SCHMITT'S IN OCTOBER 2013 AT JUST UNDER 57K MILES, THE TIMING BELT WAS REMOVED AND THE PISTON RINGS WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, APPROX. 3,000 MILES LATER, ON JUNE 30TH, WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON I-90 THE TIMING BELT SNAPPED WITHOUT NOTICE, CAUSING BENT VALVES AND MAJOR ENGINE FAILURE. THE CAR CAME TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY SPLIT WITH RTE. 219 WHICH WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE POLICE HAD TO COME TO PROVIDE PROTECTION FROM TRAFFIC. SCHMITT'S WAS THE LAST TO TOUCH THE ENGINE BUT DENIED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE BELT FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT WAS DEFECTIVE. AUDI OF AMERICA DENIED THAT THE BELT WAS DEFECTIVE, EVEN THOUGH ACCORDING TO THE 2008 AUDI MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE THE BELT WAS NOT DUE TO BE CHANGED UNTIL 110K MILES. THE BELT BROKE AT ROUGHLY HALF THE MILEAGE IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO BE CHANGED AT. AUDI DENIED ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE $4200 ENGINE REPAIR COST AND STATED I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THEREFORE NO COVERAGE WAS AVAILABLE. I HAD EXTENSIVE COMMUNICATIONS WITH AUDI PRESIDENT [XXX] OFFICE AND WITH SCHMITT'S AUDI OVER A 6+ WEEK PERIOD TRYING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE, TO NO AVAIL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
2008 AUDI A4 AVANT WITH THE 2.0 LITER TURBO MOTOR/ ENGINE CODE IS BWT. CAMSHAFT LOBE AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PREMATURE WORN OUT. AUDI KNEW ABOUT THIS ISSUE IN 2010 ABOUT THE PREMATURE WEAR ON THE CAMSHAFT LOBE AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. *TR
I TOO AM HAVING ISSUES WITH MY AUDI A4 TURBO I HAVE TO PUT OIL IN MY VEHICLE SEEMS LIKE EVERY MONTH OR SO. I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR ONLY 6 MONTHS AND I HAVE HAD 2 OIL CHANGES AND ABOUT 10 QUARTS OF OIL IN THAT TIME. MY MECHANIC SAYS WITH SYNTHETIC OIL YOU SHOULD ONLY NEED OIL CHANGES TWICE A YEAR. I TOO KEEP GETTING TOLD THIS IS NOR…
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I TOO AM HAVING ISSUES WITH MY AUDI A4 TURBO I HAVE TO PUT OIL IN MY VEHICLE SEEMS LIKE EVERY MONTH OR SO. I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR ONLY 6 MONTHS AND I HAVE HAD 2 OIL CHANGES AND ABOUT 10 QUARTS OF OIL IN THAT TIME. MY MECHANIC SAYS WITH SYNTHETIC OIL YOU SHOULD ONLY NEED OIL CHANGES TWICE A YEAR. I TOO KEEP GETTING TOLD THIS IS NORMAL...THIS IS NOT NORMAL, THERE SHOULD BE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS SITUATION....THIS CAN NOT BE GOOD FOR MY ENGINE. I ALSO WENT TO HAVE MY AC LOOKED AT AND FOUND THAT THIS VEHICLE ALSO HAS ELECTRICAL ISSUES WHEN IT COMES TO THE AC THIS CAR IS TURNING OUT TO BE NOT WORTH THE MONEY AT ALL. I CANT NOT BELIEVE AUDI IS SELLING THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A GREAT EXPERIENCE WITH AUDI IN THE PAST BUT THIS TIME I THINK I HAVE HAD ENOUGH. *TR
Official recalls
418V427000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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