YearToAvoid

2008 Audi A4 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2008 Audi A4 ranks 4th worst out of 20 model years, with a complaint index of 84 and 175 NHTSA complaints, most tied to airbags. Four separate recalls cover Takata airbag inflators and corroding airbag control units, earning it an Avoid verdict.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
84/100
#4 of 20 A4 years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
175
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
4
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
8
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
4
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2011
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
22
19 city / 27 hwy
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0

Top 2008 Audi A4 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags116 (66%)
  2. Engine22 (13%)
  3. Electrical System17 (10%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain12 (7%)
  5. Fuel System11 (6%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (4%)
  7. Structure & Body4 (2%)
  8. Brakes3 (2%)
  9. Other3 (2%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers3 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Frontal or side airbags failed to deploy in rear-end and rollover crashes, leaving occupants with injuries requiring medical attention.
  • Owners who received the Takata airbag recall notice reported crashes occurring while waiting for replacement parts that were unavailable.
  • Engine reportedly hesitated during acceleration, then surged suddenly, making it hard to control speed in traffic.
  • Front passenger seat heater malfunctioned and burned holes through the seat material on a convertible model, occurring twice.
  • Original-equipment Pirelli tires developed sidewall punctures and bubbles at very low mileage on multiple vehicles.
  • Sunroof reportedly shattered outward while driving on the highway with no visible impact.
2008 Audi A4 complaints: complaints filed per quarter222008 Q32011 Q32013 Q32015 Q32017 Q12018 Q32021 Q22026 Q1
175 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2008 Q3 to 2026 Q2; peak 2017 Q1 (22).

2008 Audi A4 recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 18V427000Jun 22, 2018Airbags237,947 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  2. NHTSA 17V032000Jan 11, 2017Airbags33,421 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  3. NHTSA 16V382000Jun 1, 2016Airbags194,453 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    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.

    Risk: 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.

See all 4 recalls for the 2008 Audi A4 →

2008 Audi A4 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19 MPG
Highway
27 MPG
Combined
22 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,650
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2008 compared with other A4 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2006Avoid100295322
2007Caution74196322
2008Avoid84175422
2009Avoid89120224
2010Caution6864025

All Audi A4 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Audi A4 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2008 A4 ranks 4th worst among 20 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 84 and an Avoid verdict, mainly due to airbag problems.
What are the main problems with the 2008 Audi A4?
Airbags account for 66% of complaints (116 of 175), with 7 crashes linked to airbag failures. Engine issues, electrical problems, and transmission complaints follow at much lower shares.
Does the 2008 Audi A4 have a recall?
Yes, NHTSA lists four recalls for the 2008 A4, all involving airbags: Takata inflator replacements, a passenger frontal airbag remedy, and corroding airbag control units.
What year Audi A4 should I avoid?
Among A4 years, 2006 has the highest complaint index at 100, followed by 2020 at 95, 2009 at 89, and 2008 at 84 — all rated Avoid. Years 2011, 2012, 2016, and 2022 are rated Best.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.