2008 Audi A6 Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2008 Audi A6.

20072009
Complaints
78
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
4
Fatalities
Recalls
3

Worst 2008 Audi A6 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#148 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:62,234 mi
Crash-related:1
#26 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:60,875 mi
#36 complaints

Headlight/Taillight Failures

Avg mileage:69,551 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2008 Audi A6.

Airbags
48
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
62,234
Electrical Faults
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
60,875
Headlight/Taillight Failures
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
69,551
Engine Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Instrument Cluster
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Other
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Audi A6. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2008 Audi A6

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~465,821 vehicles.

18V427000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~237,947 affected

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.

17V032000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~33,421 affected

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.

16V382000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~194,453 affected

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.

Other Audi A6 Years

2008 Audi A6 — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2008 Audi A6 reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2008 Audi A6 has 78 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 48 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2008 Audi A6?
Top reported problems: Airbags (48 complaints, avg 62,234 mi); Electrical Faults (6 complaints, avg 60,875 mi); Headlight/Taillight Failures (6 complaints, avg 69,551 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2008 Audi A6?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 62,830 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2008 Audi A6?
NHTSA complaints for the 2008 Audi A6 include 1 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2008 Audi A6 have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 465,821 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2008 Audi A6?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Audi A6 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2008 Audi A6

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