2008 Audi A6: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 71 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (66% of complaints); the 2009 and 2010 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Jun 2018
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 71 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2008 Audi A6. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V427000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2024
“Audi periodically sends out a provocative safety warning to 'schedule your repair immediately' stating that (my) 'safety and satisfaction are their top priorities'. When I call a dealer, I'm told that I already have the (temporary and only) fix (as takata went bankrupt). Please encourage corp audi to get their story strait. The only fact I know for certain is that neither I or anyone one I know will ever buy another audi.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2019
“Takata recall I have contacted the audi dealer and audi usa several times to get a repair scheduled without any success. This has now been going on for more than 2 years. Every time I get the same story. We have not received any parts, one time they told me the repair had just been revoked and that they were waiting new information. I feel very unsafe with the situation.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“2008 audi a6 quattro. Consumer writes in regard to dealership failing to replace faulty components in a timely manner; airbag safety recall no. 69r7. *as *js”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2018
“Takata recall - airbag replaced per recall but airbag light remains lit due to faulty seatbelt in rear center passenger seat. Faulty seat belt needs to be put under recall as this seems to be a common issue in the audi.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2018
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 audi a6. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18v427000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Paul miller audi (179 us-46, parsippany, nj 07054, (973) 575-7750) was contacted and confirmed that the part was not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2018
“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 in both vehicles (1 driver/ 1 passenger) were transported to the hospital for injuries. The vehicle is currently located at iaai in baltimore. Https://www.iaai.com​/vehicle?itemid=2884​8576&rownumber=16&lo​adrecent=true”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2018
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 audi a6. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18v427000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Audi fairfield (435 commerce dr, fairfield, ct 06825, (203)-951-6570) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2018
“Headlight flickering and turns off with dipped light warning. Rear lights warnings of bulbs out random times. Shutting lights off and on resolves issue with headlights.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2018
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 audi a6. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 16v382000 (air bags) and stated that the manufacturer failed to repair the vehicle within a reasonable amount of time. The dealer (audi columbus, 341 n hamilton road, columbus, ohio 43213) confirmed that parts were not available to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact A6 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Audi A6 reliable?
NHTSA has 71 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Audi A6. The most complained-about area is air bags (66% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Audi A6 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 50,500 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Audi A6 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.