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2008 Audi A6

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Audi A6 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 35.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

21 reports with mileage · 50 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 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

7 reports
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44,000 miles · Aug 11, 2015
Electrical System

THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON ALL FOUR SIDES OF MY VEHICLE AND THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE TWICE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. THE VOLTAGE IS TOO HIGH/HOT FOR THE THE CHEAP WIRES AUDI USED IN THE THEIR ASSEMBLY LIGHT HOUSING THAT THE WIRES PROTECTIVE COATING IS LITERALLY BURNED/MELTED OFF EXPOSING TH…

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THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON ALL FOUR SIDES OF MY VEHICLE AND THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE TWICE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. THE VOLTAGE IS TOO HIGH/HOT FOR THE THE CHEAP WIRES AUDI USED IN THE THEIR ASSEMBLY LIGHT HOUSING THAT THE WIRES PROTECTIVE COATING IS LITERALLY BURNED/MELTED OFF EXPOSING THE WIRES. THIS THEN LEADS TO THE LIGHTS AND COMPUTER CHIPS TO GO OUT, AND FIRES TO OCCUR IN VEHICLES. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS ON THE INTERNET REPORTING THIS AND AUDI IS AWARE BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT THREE MECHANICS THAT I SENT MY CAR TO ALSO SAID THEY SEE THIS A LOT IN AUDI VEHICLES. I WAS IN TWO NEAR ACCIDENTS BECAUSE THE TAIL LIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AND THE OTHER CAR DID NOT SEE MY TURN SIGNAL OR MY BRAKE LIGHT IN THE OTHER INCIDENT. SOME ONE IS GOING TO BE HURT BY THIS PROBLEM IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY. I HAVE ALMOST TWICE. I HAVE CONTACTED AUDI ALL FIVE TIMES THIS HAS OCCURRED TO ME BUT THEY REFUSE TO COVER OR ASSIST IN THIS KNOWN PROBLEM AND THEY THEN CHARGE OVER $1200 FOR EACH LIGHT TO BE REPAIRED NOT INCLUDING LABOR! I DID GET ONE OF THE REAR LIGHTS COVERED BUT THAT WAS BECAUSE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #10747856

66,000 miles · Sep 22, 2013
Electrical System

THE WIRING HARNESS OF BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLIGHT - THE ELECTRICAL WIRES WITHIN THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT HOUSING GOING DIRECTLY TO THE BULBS ARE LOSING THEIR PROTECTIVE WIRE INSULATION. THE INSULATION HAS BECOME EXCESSIVELY BRITTLE AND IS CRACKING THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE WIRE LENGTH AND IN SOME AREAS WIRE INSULATION HAS FALLEN OFF …

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THE WIRING HARNESS OF BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLIGHT - THE ELECTRICAL WIRES WITHIN THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT HOUSING GOING DIRECTLY TO THE BULBS ARE LOSING THEIR PROTECTIVE WIRE INSULATION. THE INSULATION HAS BECOME EXCESSIVELY BRITTLE AND IS CRACKING THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE WIRE LENGTH AND IN SOME AREAS WIRE INSULATION HAS FALLEN OFF THE WIRE EXPOSING BARE WIRES. THIS CAN ONLY BE FOUND WHEN TRYING TO CHANGE THE LIGHT BULB SINCE TO ACCESS THE DEFECT AREA, THE LIGHT BULB HOUSING PROTECTIVE COVER HIDING THE DEFECT MUST BE REMOVED. THE EXPOSED BARE WIRES CAUSE A FIRE HAZARD IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IN MY CAR, I HAVE FOUND THAT WHILE CHANGING THE LIGHT BULB AND MANEUVERING THE HARNESS TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE BULB, THIS HAS EXCESSIVELY CAUSED THE BRITTLE WIRE INSULATION TO FALL OFF EXPOSING ALL THE HEAD LIGHT WIRES, IN SOME INSTANCES SEVERAL INCHES LONG, LEAVING THEM WITHOUT THE PROTECTIVE SHEATHING. AUDI HAS ADMITTED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON THEIR. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS HAPPENS DUE TO THE HIGH CURRENT THAT GOES THROUGH AND THE WIRES CANNOT HANDLE THE LOAD (AUDI SERVICE MANAGER AT BRAMAN AUDI IN WEST PALM BEACH, FL TOLD ME THIS) BUT AUDI WILL NOT ADDRESS THE FACTORY DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #10544822

63,500 miles · Feb 25, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE HEAD LIGHT WOULD WORK SOMETIMES AND OTHERS IT WOULD NOT TOOK VEHICLE THE DEALER WAS TOLD MUST REMOVE BUMPER AND REPLACE HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLY COMPLETE THE COST WOULD BE AROUND $ 800.00AFTER RESEARCHING SPECIFIC PROBLEM HEAD LAMP WAS REPLACEABLE WITHOUT BUMPER REMOVAL AND WITHOUT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT COST 100.00 PRICE …

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THE HEAD LIGHT WOULD WORK SOMETIMES AND OTHERS IT WOULD NOT TOOK VEHICLE THE DEALER WAS TOLD MUST REMOVE BUMPER AND REPLACE HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLY COMPLETE THE COST WOULD BE AROUND $ 800.00AFTER RESEARCHING SPECIFIC PROBLEM HEAD LAMP WAS REPLACEABLE WITHOUT BUMPER REMOVAL AND WITHOUT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT COST 100.00 PRICE OF BULB. AUDI OF AMERICA SHOULD BE ABLE TO TROUBLESHOOT THIS PROBLEM VERY EASY AND THEY ARE PURPOSELY TRYING TO RIP THE CUSTOMER OFF. NOT TO MENTION THE DANGER A INTERMITTENT HEAD LIGHT POSSES ON THE ROAD DIP HEAD LIGHT ERROR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499979

70,000 miles · Jan 23, 2013
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

MULTIPLE ISSUES ON THIS CAR THAT ALL CAME ON ABOUT THE SAME TIME. THE AMB/PARKING BRAKE MODULE/ESP WARNING LIT UP, AND A FEW DAYS LATER THE CAR WAS NOT SHIFTING INTO GEAR ON STARTUP, AND WHEN IT DID SHIFT INTO GEAR IT SHIFTED ERRATICALLY AND WENT INTO NEUTRAL ON OCCASION. THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, ABS SENSORS BOTH WENT BA…

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MULTIPLE ISSUES ON THIS CAR THAT ALL CAME ON ABOUT THE SAME TIME. THE AMB/PARKING BRAKE MODULE/ESP WARNING LIT UP, AND A FEW DAYS LATER THE CAR WAS NOT SHIFTING INTO GEAR ON STARTUP, AND WHEN IT DID SHIFT INTO GEAR IT SHIFTED ERRATICALLY AND WENT INTO NEUTRAL ON OCCASION. THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, ABS SENSORS BOTH WENT BAD ON THE CAR AND THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE CAR SAT AT AUDI LEN STOLER IN OWINGS MILLS, MD FOR 2 WEEKS FOR PROBLEM TO BE DIAGNOSED. THEY SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AND THE ABS SENSOR THAT WAS BAD. THEY REPLACED THE ABS SENSOR IN THE HOPES THAT IT WOULD RESOLVE THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM! IT DID NOT. THE BILL FOR THE ABS, AND A FAILED DRIVER DOOR LOCK SWITCH REPLACEMENT WAS ALMOST $1400! THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE IS A SMALL BLACK BOX THAT HAS THE CIRCUITRY THAT CONTROLS THE TRANSMISSION. THE PART ALONE COSTS $2600 AND WITH LABOR IT COSTS ALMOST $4000 - QUOTE FROM DEALER. A 2008 WIT 70K AND A TCM FAILS? ACCORDING TO AUDI FORUMS, THIS IS A PREVALENT ISSUE. AUDI NEEDS TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND RECALL THESE CARS AND GET THIS SERIOUS ISSUE FIXED. IT IS A DESIGN/QUALITY CONTROL FLAW. THE TCM ISSUE ALSO CAUSES THE CAR TO NOT SHIFT RIGHT, OR GO INTO NEUTRAL WHILE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. RECALL THESE CARS BEFORE LIVES ARE LOST (IF THEY HAVE NOT ALREADY BEEN LOST). THESE ARE SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUES AND IS HAPPENING WITH NEWER CARS. MY CAR HAS BEEN DEALER MAINTAINED SINCE NEW AND I AM A METICULOUS OWNER THAT DOES NOT ABUSE THE CAR. THESE ARE PREMATURE FAILURES THAT SHOULD NOT BE OCCURRING AT THIS AGE AND MILEAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10494519

Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2010
Electrical System

2008 AUDI A6. CONSUMER STATES WHEN RESUMING ACCELERATION THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY HAS A FUEL SHUT-OFF CAUSING A SUDDEN AND SHARP DECELERATION AND SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER TRANSFER DURING ACCELERATION.*TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE MOTOR CONTINUED TO RUN, BUT THERE WAS NO POWER TRANSFER FROM THE THROTTLE TO THE DRIVE-LINE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10314269

1,700 miles · Apr 14, 2008
Electrical System

DRIVING CAR ON CROSS BRONX EXPRESSWAY IN NYC IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. SUDDENLY, THE CAR SHUT DOWN AT VERY LOW SPEED. I CALLED AUDI DEALER AND BROUGHT IT IN FOR REPAIR. PARTS WERE ORDERED FROM AUDI - PROBLEMS WITH CENTRAL COMPUTER - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224396

Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

2008 AUDI A6 WILL SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AT SPEEDS UP TO 65 MPH. HE STATES THAT THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10222837

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.

07V334000 · Structure:body:trunk Lid

Aug 1, 2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE AUTOMATIC REAR LID INCLUDES AN ELECTRIC MOTOR AND CLUTCH THAT WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH TWO GAS STRUTS TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE REAR LID, INCLUDING A MANUAL CLOSE FUNCTION. IF ONE OF THE STRUTS HAS A TOTAL LOSS OF PRESSURE, THE RESULTANT SLOW MOVEMENT OF THE REAR LID IS INTERPRETED BY THE SOFTWARE AS AN INTENDED MANUAL CLOSE AND THE MOTOR CLUTCH RELEASES TO CLOSE THE REAR LID IMMEDIATELY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN AN UNINTENDED RAPID CLOSING OF THE REAR LID WITH A RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.

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.