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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

Exterior Lighting complaints

11 reports
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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

78,000 miles · May 29, 2017
Exterior Lighting

MY WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO TELLING ME THAT MY DYNAMIC HEADLIGHT RANGE CONTROL IS NO LONGER WORKING PROPERLY.

NHTSA ODI #10992034

5 miles · Oct 4, 2016
Exterior Lighting

LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY BLINDING OTHER DRIVERS ON LOW BEAM

NHTSA ODI #10913616

123,000 miles · Sep 17, 2016
Exterior Lighting

MY CAR GAVE ME THIS MESSAGE" LEFT HEADLIGHT MAIN BEAM DIPPED AND THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WENT OFF. THE LEFT HEAD LIGHT COME ON FOR A WHILE WHEN I START THE CAR IN THE NIGHT FOR A WHILE AND THEN GOES OFF WHEN I AM ON THE ROAD. I CHECKED WITH THE AUDI USA CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AND THEY DIDN'T GIVE ME ANY PLAUSIBLE EXPLANATION. I WENT O…

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MY CAR GAVE ME THIS MESSAGE" LEFT HEADLIGHT MAIN BEAM DIPPED AND THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WENT OFF. THE LEFT HEAD LIGHT COME ON FOR A WHILE WHEN I START THE CAR IN THE NIGHT FOR A WHILE AND THEN GOES OFF WHEN I AM ON THE ROAD. I CHECKED WITH THE AUDI USA CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AND THEY DIDN'T GIVE ME ANY PLAUSIBLE EXPLANATION. I WENT ONLINE WITH MY CAR PROBLEM AND FOUND OUT THAT MANY AUDI 2005-2009 HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE AUDI DEALERSHIPS DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE WITH THEIR CARS

NHTSA ODI #10907400

95,000 miles · Dec 22, 2015
EngineExterior Lighting

SENSORS (1) THE SENSOR FOR REAR LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF (2) STABILITY SENSOR IS ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON (3) OIL LIGHT IS ON DESPITE HAVING OIL IN THE CAR (4) CAR EATS OIL (5) IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CHANGE THE DRIVER SIDE RIGHT HEADLIGHT BULB (6) MECHANICS AND DEALERS OVERCHARGE FOR PARTS AND SERVICE NOT ONLY IN THE US …

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SENSORS (1) THE SENSOR FOR REAR LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF (2) STABILITY SENSOR IS ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON (3) OIL LIGHT IS ON DESPITE HAVING OIL IN THE CAR (4) CAR EATS OIL (5) IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CHANGE THE DRIVER SIDE RIGHT HEADLIGHT BULB (6) MECHANICS AND DEALERS OVERCHARGE FOR PARTS AND SERVICE NOT ONLY IN THE US BUT ALSO IN AUSTRALIA $500 FOR BULB, $300 FOR OIL CHANGE, $200 PER HOUR LABOR. THIS IS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN GETTING A HEAD TRANSPLANT.

NHTSA ODI #10811818

105,000 miles · Oct 26, 2015
Exterior LightingFuel/propulsion System

I HAVE HAD REPEATED ISSUES WITH OIL CONSUMPTION. OIL OVERCONSUMPTION HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR 2009-2011 A4S. FOR SOME REASON THE 2008 WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE LAWSUIT. I HAVE HAD TO TOP MY OIL OFF EVERY 3,000 MILES, AT A MINIMUM, FOR THE ENTIRE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN A SAFETY ISSUE NUMEROUS T…

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I HAVE HAD REPEATED ISSUES WITH OIL CONSUMPTION. OIL OVERCONSUMPTION HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR 2009-2011 A4S. FOR SOME REASON THE 2008 WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE LAWSUIT. I HAVE HAD TO TOP MY OIL OFF EVERY 3,000 MILES, AT A MINIMUM, FOR THE ENTIRE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN A SAFETY ISSUE NUMEROUS TIMES WHERE I WAS NOT CLOSE TO ANY FACILITY THAT SOLD OIL AND WAS FORCED TO DRIVE THE CAR ON LOW OIL A LONG DISTANCE IN ORDER TO TOP IT OFF. I HAVE ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THE HEADLIGHTS BEING DIPPED -- ALSO A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THIS YEAR AND MODEL. THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WAY INADVANCE OF A NORMAL LIFE EXPECTANCY. AUDI GIVES EXCUSES ON HOW IT CAN BE FIXED (THE PRICES AND REPAIRS WERE INCONSISTENT BETWEEN THE TWO HEADLIGHTS). ONE OF THEM THEY QUOTED ME $1300! WHEN I READ THE SERVICE INFORMATION THEY HAD ONLY REPLACED A BULB!

NHTSA ODI #10786163

46,700 miles · Sep 16, 2015
Exterior Lighting

GOT A LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT ERROR ON DASHBOARD AND TRIED HAVING IT FIXED, BUT TO NO AVAIL. LOOKING AT THREADS ONLINE, MANY OTHER AUDI OWNERS HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS SAFETY ISSUE, WHICH IS VERY SERIOUS. WOULD LIKE NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS. I HAVE TO BORROW ANOTHER CAR TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. STILL TRYING TO GET THIS FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #10764122

12,000 miles · Jan 7, 2015
Exterior Lighting

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 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

NHTSA ODI #10670797

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

69,000 miles · Apr 3, 2013
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE THE DIPPED HEADLIGHT PROBLEM IN MY 2009 AUDI A4/B7 DRIVER-SIDE HEADLIGHT. I HAVE MY LIGHTS SET TO ALWAYS BE ON. EVERY NOW AND THEN I'LL SEE THE LIGHT FLICKER OR GO OUT AND GET THE DIPPED HEADLIGHT WARNING. WHAT I DO IS TURN MY LIGHTS FULLY OFF, LEAVE THEM OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS, AND THEN SWITCH THEM BACK ON. THIS SEEMS TO …

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I HAVE THE DIPPED HEADLIGHT PROBLEM IN MY 2009 AUDI A4/B7 DRIVER-SIDE HEADLIGHT. I HAVE MY LIGHTS SET TO ALWAYS BE ON. EVERY NOW AND THEN I'LL SEE THE LIGHT FLICKER OR GO OUT AND GET THE DIPPED HEADLIGHT WARNING. WHAT I DO IS TURN MY LIGHTS FULLY OFF, LEAVE THEM OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS, AND THEN SWITCH THEM BACK ON. THIS SEEMS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. UNTIL NOW THE HEADLIGHT COMPLETELY GOES OUT WITH ONLY THE (DIPPED HEADLIGHT) WARNING ON MY DASHBOARD. THIS IS A RECALL WORTHY PROBLEM AS I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET WITH NO LUCK ONLY MORE VICTIMS WHO HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MALFUNCTIONING HEADLIGHTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505484

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.