VehicleVerdict

2008 Audi A6 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 78 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median A6 year — the 2008 model ranks #12 of 33 A6 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: airbags issues account for 62% of all reports (48 of 78), far ahead of electrical system at 8.

78

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other A6 years?

See all A6 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Audi A6 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags4862%
Electrical System810%
Lighting68%
Engine56%
Transmission34%
Fuel System34%
Seat Belts23%
Brakes23%
Speed Control11%

Does the 2008 Audi A6 have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V427000AirbagsJune 22, 2018 · 237,947 units

Defect

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

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.

17V032000AirbagsJanuary 11, 2017 · 33,421 units

Defect

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

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.

16V382000AirbagsJune 1, 2016 · 194,453 units

Defect

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

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.

07V334000Body & StructureAugust 1, 2007 · 23,898 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

I WAS INVOLVED IN A PASSENGER SIDE IMPACT ACCIDENT WHERE THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN DID NOT DEPLOY. THE IMPACTING VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ABOVE 35MPH WHEN IT STRUCK. THERE WERE NO SKID MARKS NOR ANY ATTEMPT TO SLOW THE VEHICLE BEFORE IMPACT. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOTALED IN THE COLLISION. ALL PASSENGERS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 14, 2018 · crash

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 1, 1901

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A6. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, SMOKE ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT MELTED AND THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE FLICKERED. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REWIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · March 2, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A6. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED IN THE DRIVEWAY, A WOBBLING SOUND WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE TAIL PIPE. ALSO, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STARTED TO RISE AND OIL STARTED TO FLOW BACKWARDS TO THE TOP RESERVOIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 21, 2016 · fire

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 16, 2011

2008 Audi A6 — common questions

Is the 2008 Audi A6 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 78 complaints put the 2008 model at #12 of 33 A6 years. It is one of the A6 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2008 A6 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (48 complaints), electrical system (8 complaints), lighting (6 complaints).

Does the 2008 Audi A6 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Audi A6. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Audi A6 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the A6 years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2019, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2002, 2012, 2003, 2006, 2013, 2008, 2016, 1996. The cleanest record among A6 years belongs to 2024.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.