2008 Audi S4 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2008 Audi S4 has a complaint index of 27, the second-lowest among the 16 model years with data, ranking 12th worst overall. Its 4 NHTSA complaints center on Takata airbag recall delays, not crashes or fires.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 27/100
- #12 of 16 S4 years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 4
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 15.5
- 13.5 city / 20.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2008 Audi S4 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags3 (75%)
- Steering1 (25%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Power steering intermittently fails, going from stiff to loose without warning, reported around 31,000 miles.
- Owners describe long waits for Takata airbag recall parts (campaigns 16V382000, 16V079000, and 17V032000) to become available.
- Multiple owners say dealerships scheduled airbag recall repairs, then canceled due to part unavailability.
- One owner reports the airbag recall remedy still was not fixed years after the original notification, at 33,000 miles.
2008 Audi S4 recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
2008 Audi S4 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 13.5 MPG
- Highway
- 20.5 MPG
- Combined
- 15.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $5,150
- 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 S4 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Audi S4 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows only 4 complaints for the 2008 Audi S4, giving it a complaint index of 27, ranked 12th worst out of 16 model years. It compares favorably to years like 2005 and 2010, which have much higher indexes.
- What problems does the 2008 Audi S4 have?
- The main problem area is airbags, making up 75% of complaints, tied to Takata recall parts delays. One steering complaint describes intermittent power steering failure around 31,000 miles.
- Does the 2008 Audi S4 have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2008 Audi S4, both involving Takata airbag replacement, and neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- What year Audi S4 should I avoid?
- Based on complaint index, 2005, 2010, 2011, and 2013 are rated Avoid, with 2010 having the highest complaint index at 100. The 2008 model year is not rated Avoid.
- How much does the 2008 Audi S4 cost to fuel?
- EPA rates the 2008 Audi S4 at 15.5 mpg combined, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150.