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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
12,000 miles · Aug 1, 2011
Equipment

TIRE JACK FOR 2008 AUDI A4 FAILED. THE CAR WAS JACKED UP ON A FLAT CONCRETE SURFACE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED AS STATED IN THE MANUAL. A MINUTE AFTER SETTLING, THE JACK FAILED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE JACK HAS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE SIDESKIRT AND DOOR SECTION DUE TO THE CAR FALLING ON TO IT. SUBMITTED A WARRANTY CLAIM WI…

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TIRE JACK FOR 2008 AUDI A4 FAILED. THE CAR WAS JACKED UP ON A FLAT CONCRETE SURFACE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED AS STATED IN THE MANUAL. A MINUTE AFTER SETTLING, THE JACK FAILED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE JACK HAS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE SIDESKIRT AND DOOR SECTION DUE TO THE CAR FALLING ON TO IT. SUBMITTED A WARRANTY CLAIM WITH AUDI OF AMERICA. HOWEVER AUDI DENIED THE WARRANTY CLAIM WITH NO TECHNICAL EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE JACK FAILED. UPON RESEARCHING THE TOPIC, I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE AMONG OTHER A4 OWNERS. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10416583

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 · May 12, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR, A 2008 AUDI A4, BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. I MANAGED TO BRAKE AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. I MANUALLY HAD TO PULL THE GAS PEDAL OFF OF THE FLOOR. I AUTOMATICALLY WENT TO THE AUDI DEALERSHIP FOR ANSWERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10400705

20,000 miles · Apr 5, 2011
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A4 EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL CONTI PRO CONTACT TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED SHE REPLACED A TOTAL OF FIVE TIRES DUE TO BUBBLES AND SLASHING ON THE SIDEWALLS. BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE REPLACED ON TWO OCCASIONS AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS REPLACED ONCE. ALL REPLACEMENTS WERE MADE AT AN INDEPENDEN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A4 EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL CONTI PRO CONTACT TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED SHE REPLACED A TOTAL OF FIVE TIRES DUE TO BUBBLES AND SLASHING ON THE SIDEWALLS. BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE REPLACED ON TWO OCCASIONS AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS REPLACED ONCE. ALL REPLACEMENTS WERE MADE AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA ODI #10394310

18,300 miles · Sep 27, 2010
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A4 WITH PIRELLI TIRES, LINE SIZE 235/45R/17, THE ORIGINAL TIRES SINCE PURCHASE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SERVICE CENTER WHERE ALL FOUR TIRES WERE INFLATED TO THE CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE BUT TO NO AVAIL. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A4 WITH PIRELLI TIRES, LINE SIZE 235/45R/17, THE ORIGINAL TIRES SINCE PURCHASE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SERVICE CENTER WHERE ALL FOUR TIRES WERE INFLATED TO THE CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE TIRES CONTINUED TO LOSE AIR PRESSURE WITHOUT THERE BEING ANY DAMAGE TO THE TIRES. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE TIRE TREAD WAS EXTREMELY LOW AT A RATING OF FIVE. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED, BASED ON HER RESEARCH THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR THE SNOW OR EXTREMELY HARSH WEATHER. SHE WAS CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF THE TIRES WITH WINTER APPROACHING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,300.

NHTSA ODI #10357845

17,000 miles · Aug 20, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

I JUST PURCHASED AN 08 AUDI A4 3.2L CABRIOLET ALMOST 2 MONTHS AGO WITH 16K MILES ON IT. AFTER 3 WEEKS, AND APPROXIMATELY 800 MILES LATER, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE USED CAR DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM (MAZDA) AND WAS SENT TO AUDI. I TOOK IT TO AUDI AND THEY COULDN'T GET ME IN FOR 1.5 WEEKS. I FINALLY GOT IT…

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I JUST PURCHASED AN 08 AUDI A4 3.2L CABRIOLET ALMOST 2 MONTHS AGO WITH 16K MILES ON IT. AFTER 3 WEEKS, AND APPROXIMATELY 800 MILES LATER, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE USED CAR DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM (MAZDA) AND WAS SENT TO AUDI. I TOOK IT TO AUDI AND THEY COULDN'T GET ME IN FOR 1.5 WEEKS. I FINALLY GOT IT IN, AND THEY SAID THEY CLEANED MY VALVES AND CHANGED 3 INJECTORS DUE TO A CARBON BUILD UP. 2 1/2 WEEKS LATER, LIGHT IS BACK ON. I CALLED THE AUDI DEALERSHIP, CAN'T SEE ME FOR ANOTHER 2 WEEKS! I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND A FULL THREAD OF A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE FOR THIS YEAR/ENGINE SIZE FROM AUDI AND VW. AUDI IS CLAIMING THERE IS NO ISSUE AND THE GASOLINE IS AT FAULT. I USE ONLY TOP TIER GASOLINE AS RECOMMENDED. PLEASE REVIEW THE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINANTS ON THIS FORUM AT HTTP://WWW.AUDIFORUMS.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=113568 THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE THAT IS BEING IGNORED AND AFFECTING A LOT OF CONSUMERS. IT HAS YET TO BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT COULD IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE IF NOT CORRECTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350847

17,000 miles · Aug 20, 2010
Structure

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 AUDI A4 3.2L CABRIOLET. ABOUT 4 WEEKS AGO, WHILE DRIVING, I NOTICED IT SOUNDED LIKE ONE OF MY WINDOWS WAS OPEN, AS I COULD HEAR OTHER VEHICLES DRIVING BY LOUDER THAN NORMAL. I TRIED ROLLING UP THE WINDOWS SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO CHANGE IN SOUND. ALL WINDOWS WERE UP. ONCE I ARRIVED AT HOME, I DID A WALK …

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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 AUDI A4 3.2L CABRIOLET. ABOUT 4 WEEKS AGO, WHILE DRIVING, I NOTICED IT SOUNDED LIKE ONE OF MY WINDOWS WAS OPEN, AS I COULD HEAR OTHER VEHICLES DRIVING BY LOUDER THAN NORMAL. I TRIED ROLLING UP THE WINDOWS SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO CHANGE IN SOUND. ALL WINDOWS WERE UP. ONCE I ARRIVED AT HOME, I DID A WALK AROUND INSPECTION OF MY CAR, AND SAW THAT MY REAR WINDOW WAS DETACHED FROM THE CONVERTIBLE TOP. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE WINDOW OR CONVERTIBLE TOP, JUST THE GLUE/SEALANT HAD WORN OFF (AFTER ONLY 2 YEARS!). THERE WAS VERY LITTLE ADHESIVE LEFT ON THE TOP-CENTER OF THE WINDOW. IT WAS HANGING ON BY ABOUT A 2" STRIP OF ADHESIVE. THIS TRIP HOME WAS 26 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OF >55MPH. HAD THERE BEEN A LITTLE MORE WIND OR THE NEED FOR EVASIVE MANEUVERS, THIS WINDOW COULD HAVE EASILY DETACHED FULLY, AND HIT OTHER VEHICLES. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ONLINE, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE ONLY AUDI DEALERSHIP ON ISLAND COULDN'T GET ME IN FOR >2 WEEKS. DUE TO NOT WANTING RAIN DAMAGE, OR THE WINDOW TO CAUSE A MVC, I PURCHASED SOME SILICONE ADHESIVE/SEALANT AND PUT IT BACK ON MYSELF. I CAN NO LONGER PUT MY TOP DOWN WITHOUT THE WINDOW SEPARATING AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350846

8,300 miles · Jan 27, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

2008 AUDI A4 STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. THIS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH OTHER DRIVERS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED IT WOULD MOVE A FEW YARDS BEFORE STALLING AGAIN. *KB THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. IT TURNED OUT THE STALLING WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR.

NHTSA ODI #10302748

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

9,000 miles · May 21, 2009
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A4. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL CONTI PRO CONTACT TIRES, SIZE P235/45R17. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A NEW VEHICLE AND BEGAN EXPERIENCING TIRE FAILURES. WITHIN FIVE MONTHS, HE NOTICED BUBBLES ON TWO OF THE TIRES. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ROAD CONDITIO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A4. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL CONTI PRO CONTACT TIRES, SIZE P235/45R17. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A NEW VEHICLE AND BEGAN EXPERIENCING TIRE FAILURES. WITHIN FIVE MONTHS, HE NOTICED BUBBLES ON TWO OF THE TIRES. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, ONE OF THE TIRES RECENTLY HAD A BLOW OUT. THE MANUFACTURER CONTINUED TO BLAME THE ROAD FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BLOW OUT WAS NOT CAUSED BY A POTHOLE OR ANY OTHER ROAD HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.

NHTSA ODI #10269588

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.