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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

Electrical System complaints

9 reports
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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

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 · 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

110,000 miles · Aug 7, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemPower Train

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA ODI #11242172

11,200 miles · Apr 23, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemCrash

TAKATA RECALL- MY AUDI IS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE NOT FIXED THE AIRBAGS THAT ARE DEFECTIVE AND WILL KILL.TAKATA RECALL DEALER FAILED TO DO THE RECALL. IT'S BEEN A MONTHS NOW. SO IT'S DANGEROUS DRIVING THE CAR WITHOUT FIXING THE AIRBAG PROBLEM, IN CASE OF A CRASH. DEALER IS AUDI OF PEABODY MA

NHTSA ODI #11203027

100,000 miles · Mar 31, 2018
Air BagsElectrical SystemPower Train

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA ODI #11082275

11,000 miles · Jun 8, 2017
Air BagsElectrical SystemPower Train

IT HAPPENS WHEN I TURN THE CAR ON AND I GO TO PARK IT. WHEN I PASS REVERSE. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN A LOT MORE OFTEN AFTER IT RAINS. MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING INTO LIMP MODE DUE TO A MAJOR FAULT. CODE P0706: TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR CIRCUIT RANGE/PERFORMANCE THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR TELLS THE TCM THE POSITION OF THE GEAR LEVER.…

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IT HAPPENS WHEN I TURN THE CAR ON AND I GO TO PARK IT. WHEN I PASS REVERSE. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN A LOT MORE OFTEN AFTER IT RAINS. MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING INTO LIMP MODE DUE TO A MAJOR FAULT. CODE P0706: TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR CIRCUIT RANGE/PERFORMANCE THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR TELLS THE TCM THE POSITION OF THE GEAR LEVER. IT ALSO CONTAINS A NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH, WHICH ENSURES THAT YOU CAN ONLY START YOUR CAR IN NEUTRAL OR PARK. POTENTIAL CAUSES FOR THIS CODE TO SET ARE: FAULTY TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR MISADJUSTED TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR OPEN OR SHORTED TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR HARNESS FAULTY PCM IT HAPPENS TO A LOT OF THE A4 AUDI'S. ITS DANGEROUS AND ITS NOT ANYTHING THAT OWNERS OF THE AUDIS DID OR DID NOT DO. I HAVE NEVER NEGLECTED MY CAR. IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS ENEVATABLE BECAUSE IT WAS CAUSED DURING THE MANUFACTURING.

NHTSA ODI #10993863

Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility/wiper

HEADLIGHTS HAVE A MALFUNCTION WHERE THEY TURN OFF AND ON. THE SENSOR SAYS THAT THE LEFT FRONT BULB HAS DIPPED BUT AUDI DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS OR HOW TO FIX IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563792

68,000 miles · Oct 1, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. I HAVE LOOKED AT MANY FORUMS AND HAVE SEEN THIS A PROBLEM IN OVER 70 PERCENT OF AUDI A4 B7 OWNERS. THIS IS AN EXTREME HAZARD AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED. MY HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT 8 PM. THEY WOULD FLICKER, BUT WOULD NOT RE FIRE. I AM SPEAKING ABOUT THE BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS F…

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HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. I HAVE LOOKED AT MANY FORUMS AND HAVE SEEN THIS A PROBLEM IN OVER 70 PERCENT OF AUDI A4 B7 OWNERS. THIS IS AN EXTREME HAZARD AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED. MY HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT 8 PM. THEY WOULD FLICKER, BUT WOULD NOT RE FIRE. I AM SPEAKING ABOUT THE BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS FOR THE 2006 - 2008 AUDI LINE. I ENDED UP DRIVING HOME WITH MY FOG LIGHTS ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10478060

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.