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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

What owners actually said

175 reports
140,000 miles · Apr 20, 2026
Air BagsCrashInjury

The contact owns a 2008 Audi A4. The contact received an unknown recall notice related to the air bags. The contact scheduled an appointment at a dealer and had the recall serviced. The contact then stated that while idle in the parking lot of a hospital, a speeding vehicle clipped the front end, driver's side of her vehicle, wh…

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The contact owns a 2008 Audi A4. The contact received an unknown recall notice related to the air bags. The contact scheduled an appointment at a dealer and had the recall serviced. The contact then stated that while idle in the parking lot of a hospital, a speeding vehicle clipped the front end, driver's side of her vehicle, which caused the entire front bumper to detach from the vehicle. The driver also hit a gate, guardrail, and utility box in the parking lot. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact was then treated at the hospital for an injury to her neck and left shoulder. The contact sustains severe headaches weeks after the accident. The contact received an X-ray and had been assigned to physical therapy for the next few months. The other driver was not injured as a result of the accident. A police report was filed. The vehicle was initially towed to an independent mechanic and was later towed to a storage unit. The contact family member, who is mechanically inclined, stated that the vehicle's air bag sensors were defective. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired by dealer. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer; the manufacturer gave the contact a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #11732410

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2026
Air Bags

Audi is wanting me and another driver to drive 2.5 hours to their dealer drop off the car for repairs, then drive back. Then after the repairs are complete make that trip again. They want us to spend 20 man hours driving, plus gas, food, and mileage. None of this is reimbursed. I have called and written Audi several times with t…

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Audi is wanting me and another driver to drive 2.5 hours to their dealer drop off the car for repairs, then drive back. Then after the repairs are complete make that trip again. They want us to spend 20 man hours driving, plus gas, food, and mileage. None of this is reimbursed. I have called and written Audi several times with the same answer. This is unreasonable when they have a local VW dealer and other Audi certified mechanics that can do the job within 20 minutes. Our zip code is [XXX] . [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11715084

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2025
Unknown Or Other

While I was driving on the highway the sunroof (just the window) flew off. I had the sliding roof door closed and only heard a gust of wind initially thinking it just became ajar somehow, but nope the entire window was gone, like the adhesive deteriorated I assume. The sunroof mechanism works perfectly fine. Fortunately if was…

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While I was driving on the highway the sunroof (just the window) flew off. I had the sliding roof door closed and only heard a gust of wind initially thinking it just became ajar somehow, but nope the entire window was gone, like the adhesive deteriorated I assume. The sunroof mechanism works perfectly fine. Fortunately if was really early in the morning and to my knowledge no one was on the road, but if they had been an injury or death could have happened!

NHTSA ODI #11635466

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

Bought this car from a guy add said car runs great has smog, reg ,ac works great (not )my boyfriend before I could say anything gave guy money and I signed the bill of sale I said should test drive it so drove to my mechanic in vista ca and he said a German car oh boy and I said ouch so he said to bring it back by after checking…

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Bought this car from a guy add said car runs great has smog, reg ,ac works great (not )my boyfriend before I could say anything gave guy money and I signed the bill of sale I said should test drive it so drove to my mechanic in vista ca and he said a German car oh boy and I said ouch so he said to bring it back by after checking it out so he could look in to it further so got in car that had spiderwebs on the motor my guy don't know much about cars so we went back and car stopped steering locked up ignition locked up car shut down in middle of busy traffic and would not turn over nothing so called my apt manager thought out of gas so he got some gas put it in and it started after 1 and a 1/2 hours got to gas station filled it up and started up and got back was scared because of this car people don't care almost got hit a few times so went back to seller gone so tried to find a number none text on face bk market place said this car has problems almost killed us just stopped and nothing worked went to Walmart to get some break fluid and coolent car hot and ac didn't work and something leaking it was brake fluid then check engine light on friend came and checked it and the little thing that hook up see what codes for diagnoses or why check engine light on was throwing codes misfire and fuel pump and more don't remember but my guy took pictures of the codes went back Monday cause got car [XXX] and the guy sent my guy a message bring it by and I'll look at it the car runs great he said master cylinder leaking coolent leaking oil was old how did this car even pass smog with it misfiring and shutting down once in street and at Walmart it just shut off now told fuel pump coil wires were cracked two relay switches were broken fixed one and car misfiring hole in the mast cylinder and fluid leaking and this seller calls him self a mechanic very sad have put over 100.00 dollars the guy fixed the ac and gave my guy 40 dollars I paid 55.00 seller their car at my mechanics. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORM

NHTSA ODI #11595625

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2023
Engine

Overheating in traffic replaced water pump, gasket. radiator , fan control module, thermostat, and hoses. Happens every summer!!!!! No fluid leakage. Could this be the same problem as the 2013 model recall

NHTSA ODI #11533750

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

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2022
Air BagsCrash

i was in a pretty bad car accident, the car was totaled but the air bags didn’t deploy and i slammed my head on my steering wheel, i got side swiped and the driver door wasn’t able to be opened i had to kick it open and the front of the car hit a concrete pole going roughly 35 mph or more.

NHTSA ODI #11479453

1,567 miles · May 13, 2021
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemWheels

I HAD JUST PUT $35 IN GASSED THE CAR STILL SAID I NEEDED GAS AND THAT I HAD ZERO MILES LEFT OF GAS I MADE A TRIP THAT WAS ABOUT 45 MILES IN DISTANCE. MY CAR WAS THEN PARKED AND TURNED OFF FOR ABOUT 3 TO 4 HOURS THEN IT HAD TROUBLE STARTING AT FIRST BUT TURNED ON AND I PROCEEDED ONTO THE FREEWAY WHICH WAS ACROSS THE STREET FROM T…

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I HAD JUST PUT $35 IN GASSED THE CAR STILL SAID I NEEDED GAS AND THAT I HAD ZERO MILES LEFT OF GAS I MADE A TRIP THAT WAS ABOUT 45 MILES IN DISTANCE. MY CAR WAS THEN PARKED AND TURNED OFF FOR ABOUT 3 TO 4 HOURS THEN IT HAD TROUBLE STARTING AT FIRST BUT TURNED ON AND I PROCEEDED ONTO THE FREEWAY WHICH WAS ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE PARKING LOT I PARKED INSIDE OF. IT WAS ABOUT 9:00 PM AND THANKFULLY THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF CARS OUT. THE ENTRANCE OF THIS FREEWAY CONSIST OF ONE MEDIUM SIZED STEEP HILL WHICH REMAINS TRAVELING UPWARD ONTO A MOUNTAIN WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY SHUT OFF MY 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND I WERE IN THE CAR AND THANKFULLY WE WERE ON THE LAST LANE DUE TO THE FACT THAT WE WERE BARELY ENTERING THE FREEWAY. I PARKED ON THE RIGHT SIDE SKIRT I HAD JUST REPLACED THAT BATTERY EARLIER THAT WEEK (NO MORE THAN 5 DAY BEFORE). I HAD A SMALL GAS CAN IN MY TRUNK AND HAD SOMEONE GO TO THE GAS STATION AND BRING ME THE GALLON OF GAS WHICH I EMPTIED INTO MY CAR AND IT TURNED ON. AT TIMES THE CAR DOES SMELL LIKE GASOLINE ESPECIALLY IF I JUST PUT GAS. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW MUCH GAS I FILL UP MY TANK WITH IT WILL INDICATE I HAVE 0 MILES OF GAS IN THE SCREEN AND THE FUEL GAUGE WILL NOT GO BELOW THE MIDDLE INDICATOR AND WILL NEVER SHOW ABOVE 3/4 FULL. MY TPMSA IS ALWAYS INDICATING A PROBLEM WHEN THE I HAVE A MECHANIC SEE IT AND HE ASSURED ME IT'S IN GOOD CONDITION

NHTSA ODI #11416393

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2020
Air Bags

I HAVE CALLED MY DEALERSHIP AND REACHED OUT TO THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER ON THEIR WEBSITE NUMEROUS TIMES OVER A 10 YEAR PERIOD (AT THE VERY LEAST SINCE AUDI ANNOUNCED AGREED TO THE REPAIRS). I KEEP ON RECEIVING NOTICE POSTCARDS FROM AUDI TO HAVE THIS SCHEDULED WITH MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. WHEN I CALL THEY KEEP TELLING ME TO BE PATI…

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I HAVE CALLED MY DEALERSHIP AND REACHED OUT TO THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER ON THEIR WEBSITE NUMEROUS TIMES OVER A 10 YEAR PERIOD (AT THE VERY LEAST SINCE AUDI ANNOUNCED AGREED TO THE REPAIRS). I KEEP ON RECEIVING NOTICE POSTCARDS FROM AUDI TO HAVE THIS SCHEDULED WITH MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. WHEN I CALL THEY KEEP TELLING ME TO BE PATIENT, THEY WILL CALL ME WHEN ONE COMES IN. I HAVE STARTED TO RECEIVE POSTCARDS FROM ANOTHER DEALER TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIR...ONLY THIS DEALER IS ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN CALIFORNIA! IT DOES NOT SEEM TO ME WHEN I CONTACT AUDI OF AMERICA THEY DON'T REALLY CARE. I ONLY HAVE APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES ON THE CAR BECAUSE I DON'T DRIVE IT WITH MY FAMILY ABOARD(BECAUSE OF THE FACTORY INSTALLED TAKATA FRONT PASSENGER ANTI PERSONNEL DEVICE). THE ONLY HELP FROM AUDI WAS IN THE FROM OF A RECOMMENDATION "DO NOT" USE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. TO RECAP 12 YEAR OLD VEHICLE, I BELIEVE I LIVE IN ZONE2, NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO BOTH AUDI OF AMERICA AND MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, RECALL NOTICES FROM CALIFORNIA! *****UPDATE: AS I WAS ABOUT TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT I DECIDED TO CALL BENZEL BUSCH AUDI TO CHECK. AND MIRACULOUSLY THEY HAVE ONE. I WAS TOLD BY AUDI OF AMERICA THROUGH CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE GREG M. ON MAY 16, 2019, THAT HE SPOKE TO KATHERINE AT SERVICE AND THAT THEY ARE AWAITING PARTS AND THAT SHE ASSURED HIM THAT I WAS A PRIORITY AND ONCE THE PART ARRIVES THEY WILL BE REACHING OUT TO ME DIRECTLY. IN THE ALMOST A YEAR OF WAITING, NO ONE HAS CONTACTED ME, NOT AOA OR LOCAL DEALER. I CALLED HER TODAY JAN. 8, 2020 AND SCHEDULED A REPAIR ON JAN.13. IT WOULD SEEM THAT I AM NOT A PRIORITY.

NHTSA ODI #11297988

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT FLICKERS , DIES OUT. WHILE IN MOTION OR STATIONARY , THE LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT WILL FLICKER REPEATEDLY AND DIE OUT. TURNING THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON FIXES THE ISSUE FOR A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE THE FLICKERING STARTS UP AGAIN AND EVERY 5 MINUTES THE LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT GOES OU…

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LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT FLICKERS , DIES OUT. WHILE IN MOTION OR STATIONARY , THE LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT WILL FLICKER REPEATEDLY AND DIE OUT. TURNING THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON FIXES THE ISSUE FOR A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE THE FLICKERING STARTS UP AGAIN AND EVERY 5 MINUTES THE LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT GOES OUT AGAIN. THIS ISSUE IS VERY CONCERNING FOR NOT ONLY SAFETY REASONS , BUT FOR LEGAL REASONS AS WELL GIVEN THAT I HAVE TO TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND ON EVERY 5 MINUTES TO AVOID BREAKING THE LAW BY DRIVING WITH A HEADLIGHT OUT AT NIGHT. THIS ORIGIN OF THIS ISSUE IS UNKNOWN , BUT IT SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON AND IT WARRANTS A RECALL CONSIDERING HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS ISSUE WITH THE 2008 LINE OF AUDI A4 VEHICLES POINTS TO A MASS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. IT IS NOT ONLY DANGEROUS IT IS ILLEGAL! THIS WIDESPREAD ISSUE DEMANDS A RECALL!

NHTSA ODI #11244938

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.