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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.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected 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

What owners actually said

71 reports
42,000 miles · Feb 15, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

I OWN A 2008 AUDI A6 QUATTRO WHICH HAS 40K MILES. RECENTLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME UP AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE CYLINDER IS MISFIRING BECAUSE OF CARBON DEPOSITS. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE CAR IS NOT MEANT FOR NJ DRIVING, IT IS MEANT TO BE DRIVEN IN THE AUTOBAHN. DEALERSHIP PROVIDED A FUE…

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I OWN A 2008 AUDI A6 QUATTRO WHICH HAS 40K MILES. RECENTLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME UP AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE CYLINDER IS MISFIRING BECAUSE OF CARBON DEPOSITS. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE CAR IS NOT MEANT FOR NJ DRIVING, IT IS MEANT TO BE DRIVEN IN THE AUTOBAHN. DEALERSHIP PROVIDED A FUEL ADDITIVE AND SAID THAT THINGS SHOULD BE FINE. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR A CAR THAT IS IN WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10382764

21,300 miles · Dec 22, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN AS IF THE GEAR WAS IN NEUTRAL. AFTER CONTINUALLY APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE AND T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN AS IF THE GEAR WAS IN NEUTRAL. AFTER CONTINUALLY APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SOFTWARE PATCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A SECOND TIME AND THE SAME REPAIR WAS MADE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE FUEL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,300.

NHTSA ODI #10372041

15,450 miles · Jul 12, 2010
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHT TURNS OFF DURING NIGHT TIME OPERATION AND DISPLAYS ERROR CODE DIPPED HEADLIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342675

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

7,000 miles · Feb 11, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I HAVE 2008 AUDI A6 CVT (8000 MILES) WITH 2 MAJOR ISSUES. ONE OF THEM BEING CARBON DEPOSIT BUILD-UP ON INTAKE VALVE CAUSING ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO COME UP. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IS CAUSED BY DIRECT FUEL INJECTION OF THEIR ENGINE AND IS COMMON WITH EVERY FSI ENGINE AS I WAS TOLD. NO FIX FOR THIS AND THEY WILL BE CHARGING …

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I HAVE 2008 AUDI A6 CVT (8000 MILES) WITH 2 MAJOR ISSUES. ONE OF THEM BEING CARBON DEPOSIT BUILD-UP ON INTAKE VALVE CAUSING ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO COME UP. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IS CAUSED BY DIRECT FUEL INJECTION OF THEIR ENGINE AND IS COMMON WITH EVERY FSI ENGINE AS I WAS TOLD. NO FIX FOR THIS AND THEY WILL BE CHARGING ABOUT 1500 TO CLEAN AND FIX THE PROBLEM TEMPORARY WHEN THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. SECOND ISSUE IS WITH MULTITRONIC CVT. THIS IS ALSO THEIR DESIGN FLAW WHERE THE TRANSMISSION HAVE DIFFICULTIES ENGAGING CAUSING SEVERE SHUDDER AND JERKING DURING AN ACCELERATION FROM STOP. I HAVE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE THROTTLE AND IF I STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL HARDER, IT WILL CAUSE SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND IF I DON'T, THE CAR WILL JERK BACK AND FORTH AND WILL NOT GET DECENT ACCELERATION, WHICH IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. AUDI STATES THAT THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS FOR THIS AND THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING FINE. I HAD THE LOANER (A4 CVT) ONE AND THE CAR ALSO HAD THE SAME ISSUE, BUT SIGNIFICANTLY LESS SEVERE. TOYOTA IS BEING HONEST ABOUT THEIR FAULTS BUT IT SEEMS LIKE AUDI IS TRYING TO HIDE THIS ISSUE UNTIL THERE IS A DEATH OR AN INJURY INVOLVE, WHICH BY THAT TIME, TOO LATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308697

32,236 miles · Jan 4, 2010
Exterior Lighting

MY WIFE AND CHILD WERE DRIVING THROUGH THE DESERT IN ARIZONA WHEN OUR AUDI'S DRIVER-SIDE XENON HEADLIGHT FAILED. THEN AGAIN 2 MONTHS LATER, DRIVING WITH MY WIFE AND CHILD THROUGH CALIFORNIA THE PASSENGER-SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED. BOTH TIMES I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE BULB. BUT WE COULDN'T SIMPLY BUY A NEW BULB. AUDI NEEDS TO ORDER IT AN…

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MY WIFE AND CHILD WERE DRIVING THROUGH THE DESERT IN ARIZONA WHEN OUR AUDI'S DRIVER-SIDE XENON HEADLIGHT FAILED. THEN AGAIN 2 MONTHS LATER, DRIVING WITH MY WIFE AND CHILD THROUGH CALIFORNIA THE PASSENGER-SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED. BOTH TIMES I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE BULB. BUT WE COULDN'T SIMPLY BUY A NEW BULB. AUDI NEEDS TO ORDER IT AND TAKE OFF THE BUMPER TO REPLACE THEM. ABOUT A MONTH LATER, DRIVING THROUGH THE ARIZONA DESERT WITH MY FAMILY, THE DRIVER-SIDE LIGHT WENT OUT AGAIN. THIS TIME AUDI SERVICE SAID THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE IGNITER FOR THE XENON LAMP. THIS ALL HAPPENED WITHIN 5 MONTHS TIME. I'D ONLY OWNED THE VEHICLE ABOUT 2 YEARS. WHEN THESE LIGHTS FAIL, I HAVE TO USE FOG LAMPS OR HIGH BEAMS TO HAVE AT LEAST 2 LIGHTS WORKING AT ONCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10298193

12,938 miles · Jan 4, 2010
Air BagsSeat Belts

MY 2008 AUDI A6 AVANT HAS HAD AN AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT APPEAR 3 TIMES IN 2 YEARS. EACH TIME IT GIVES ERROR CODES FOR IT'S CENTER, REAR SEAT BELT. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS MEANS THAT THE RESTRAINT MAY NOT WORK EFFECTIVELY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR ABRUPT STOP. IT HAS HAPPENED AT 12,983 MILES, AT 29,000 MILES AND NOW AT 39,000 MILES.…

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MY 2008 AUDI A6 AVANT HAS HAD AN AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT APPEAR 3 TIMES IN 2 YEARS. EACH TIME IT GIVES ERROR CODES FOR IT'S CENTER, REAR SEAT BELT. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS MEANS THAT THE RESTRAINT MAY NOT WORK EFFECTIVELY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR ABRUPT STOP. IT HAS HAPPENED AT 12,983 MILES, AT 29,000 MILES AND NOW AT 39,000 MILES. NOBODY SHOULD USE IT UNTIL IT IS FIXED. 1ST TIME AUDI DID GFF TEST STEPS AND CLEARED CODE, SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED THE SEAT BELT ITSELF. NOW THEY BELIEVE IT TO BE AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10298187

9,892 miles · Aug 28, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Other

I LEASED A 2008 AUDI A6, LESS THEN A YEAR AGO. AUDI HAS HAD MY CAR NOW 3 TIMES FOR A PROBLEM WITH THE INTAKE VALVES AND CARBON DEPOSITS. THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND REFUSE TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS FOR 15 DAYS. I HAVE HAD TO CONTINUE PAYING FOR T…

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I LEASED A 2008 AUDI A6, LESS THEN A YEAR AGO. AUDI HAS HAD MY CAR NOW 3 TIMES FOR A PROBLEM WITH THE INTAKE VALVES AND CARBON DEPOSITS. THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND REFUSE TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS FOR 15 DAYS. I HAVE HAD TO CONTINUE PAYING FOR THE CAR WHEN IT IS UN-DRIVABLE. I ALSO PAID FOR AUDI CARE UPFRONT WHEN I LEASED THE CAR, AND THE LEVEL OF CARE IS PATHETIC. ON THE AUDI FORUMS, THERE ARE MANY A6 AND A4 OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE A FEDERAL RECALL. AUDI OF NORTH AMERICA HAS BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO DEAL WITH. THEY DO NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. AS A CONSUMER, WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR A PRODUCT THAT IS UNUSABLE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282073

4,272 miles · Jun 14, 2009
Power Train

2008 AUDI A6 SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH CVT TRANSMISSION (MULTITRONIC)- VEHICLE SHUDDERS AND DOES VERY ODD MOVEMENTS SETTING AT LOW SPEEDS AND HESITATES WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL. IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD HAVE TO STEP DEEP ON THE GAS MEDAL AND HAVE TO DRIVE AT RATHER HIGH VELOCITY IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD MAKING IT DANGEROUS WHE…

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2008 AUDI A6 SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH CVT TRANSMISSION (MULTITRONIC)- VEHICLE SHUDDERS AND DOES VERY ODD MOVEMENTS SETTING AT LOW SPEEDS AND HESITATES WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL. IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD HAVE TO STEP DEEP ON THE GAS MEDAL AND HAVE TO DRIVE AT RATHER HIGH VELOCITY IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD MAKING IT DANGEROUS WHEN PULLING OUT OF MY HOME DRIVEWAY IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. CAR WILL PERIODICALLY DO JERKING MOVEMENTS AND FEELS DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273754

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

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.