2008 Audi A4 Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026

Good

Ranks 11th of 24 A4 years we score.

Owner complaints: 195; 114 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 17.8; 45,399 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.49×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 27; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 6
NHTSA crash rating: Not rated; no overall rating before 2011

← 2007 A4 2009 A4 →

Should You Buy the 2008 Audi A4?

Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2008 Audi A4 is 77 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported about half as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 11th of the 24 A4 years we score.

The most reported problem is high oil consumption, mostly burning or using oil (10 of 195 complaints). Owners also complain about the headlights and the timing chain or camshaft. 27 of the 195 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 6 recalls. Audi also offers three warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the engine and airbags. For comparison, the 2007 scores 76.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask an Audi dealer about the warranty extension for intake runner control motor and PCV valve faults and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Good reliability score of 77
About half the problems of the average car its age
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
3 Audi warranty extensions may cover repairs

Cons

Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil10 complaints
Headlights: works on and off8 complaints
Timing chain or camshaft: early wear6 complaints

How the 2008 A4 Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	0.45×	−11
Everyday problems	0.58×	−5
Problems in the last two years	Not counted	–
Recalls	1.4×	−7
Score		77

Problems in the last two years are not counted for the 2008 A4. If it were exactly average, its 45,399 cars would draw about 2.6 complaints in two years at this age, too few to compare. Their 30% moves to serious and everyday problems, which count for 80% of this score instead of 50%.

What Owners Report

We read all 195 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Audi A4, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
10 complaints (5%)
Burning or using oil. Median mileage when it started: about 48,000 miles.
Headlights: works on and off
8 complaints (4%)
Problems that come and go, a feature that stopped working and warning lights. 1 of these 8 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of visibility. Median mileage when it started: about 73,000 miles.
Timing chain or camshaft: early wear
6 complaints (3%)
Early wear and a failure that needed a new part. Median mileage when it started: about 80,000 miles.
Tires: parts breaking or coming apart
5 complaints (3%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, a leak and damage. 1 of these 5 complaints describes a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 9,000 miles.
Transmission: harsh or delayed shifts
5 complaints (3%)
Harsh or delayed shifts, a feature that stopped working and failure or loss of drive. 2 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 75,000 miles.
Airbags: no deployment in a crash
4 complaints (2%)
No deployment in a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 50,000 miles.
Accelerator pedal: sticking or stiffness
4 complaints (2%)
Sticking or stiffness. All 4 describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking. Median mileage when it started: about 30,000 miles.
Brakes: unusual noises
3 complaints (2%)
Unusual noises, a hard pedal or less assist and a leak.
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
3 complaints (2%)
No deployment in a crash and warning lights. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: an airbag problem.
High-pressure fuel pump: early wear
3 complaints (2%)
Early wear, a loss of power and a failure. Median mileage when it started: about 83,000 miles.
A/C failure
2 complaints (1%)
A failure and a feature that stopped working.
Airbag warning light
2 complaints (1%)
Warning lights.
Engine failure
2 complaints (1%)
A failure and locking up. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Oil pressure: warning lights
2 complaints (1%)
Warning lights and a failure. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Piston rings failure
2 complaints (1%)
A failure that needed a new part.

Show 4 more problems

Tire pressure monitoring failure
2 complaints (1%)
A failure and warning lights.
Transmission computer: failure or loss of drive
2 complaints (1%)
Failure or loss of drive. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
2 complaints (1%)
Sudden acceleration. Both describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking.
Valve train: damage
2 complaints (1%)
Damage and early wear.

Reported Once (26)

Show the 26 problems reported once

Brake power assist: a hard pedal or less assist
Carbon buildup (intake valves): warning lights
Cooling system: a leak
Several warning lights at once
Dual-clutch transmission: harsh or delayed shifts
Engine mounts: a leak
Engine oil leak
Engine overheating
Fuel economy: high fuel use
Fuel gauge or level sensor: wrong readings
Fuel pump: stalling
Fuel system: a bad smell
Loss of power (cause not stated)
Cam follower: early wear
Convertible top rear window: parts breaking or coming apart
Fuel pressure regulator: stalling
Rear window: shattering or cracking
Seats: overheating
Side or curtain airbags: no deployment in a crash
Stall (cause not stated)
Steering: sticking or stiffness
Sunroof: parts breaking or coming apart
Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
Timing belt: parts breaking or coming apart
Windshield wipers failure
Wiring, fuses or body control module: parts breaking or coming apart

How the 2008 Audi A4 Compares With Other Years

The other A4 years of the 3rd generation (B7), 2006 to 2008, and the years just before and after it.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2009	Good	74	0.68×	25.1	6	Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
2008 This year	Good	77	0.49×	17.8	6	Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
2007	Good	76	0.57×	22.4	5	Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
2006	Caution	68	1.2×	54.3	4	Headlights: works on and off
2005	Caution	67	1.3×	48.4	3	Headlights: works on and off

See every A4 year

2008 Audi A4 Recalls

Six recalls cover the 2008 Audi A4. The most recent was issued in June 2018: “Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 18V427000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 22, 2018. By the third quarter of 2019, 41% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, January 2018
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 18V082000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 30, 2018. By the third quarter of 2020, 75% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, January 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 17V032000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 11, 2017. By the second quarter of 2018, 17% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, June 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 16V382000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 1, 2016. By the second quarter of 2018, 33% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air Bag Control Unit Power Supply Corrosion
If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
NHTSA 16V376000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 27, 2016. By the first quarter of 2018, 50% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, February 2016
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 16V079000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Feb 10, 2016. By the second quarter of 2018, 40% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

2008 Audi A4 Warranty Extensions and Programs

Audi has three warranty extensions and one service campaign for the 2008 Audi A4, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the engine and airbags. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which an Audi dealer can check.

Warranty extension
Intake runner control motor and PCV valve faults
The problem:
Under certain conditions the intake manifold runner control motor and the PCV valve can work poorly. Fault codes may then turn on the check engine light.
The fix:
An Audi dealer runs a diagnosis scan and replaces the intake runner control motor and the PCV valve for free if needed.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2.0 TFSI cars: 2006 A4, 2007 to 2009 A4 and A4 Cabriolet, 2006 to 2008 A3, and 2008 and 2009 TT. Other causes of the warning light and damage from tuned engine computers are not covered.
Coverage:
10 years or 120,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extension
PCV valve fault with check engine light
The problem:
Under certain conditions the positive crankcase ventilation, or PCV, valve can work poorly. Fault codes may then turn on the check engine light.
The fix:
An Audi dealer runs a diagnosis scan and replaces the PCV valve for free if needed.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2.0 TFSI cars: 2006 to 2008 A3, 2006 to 2009 A4, 2007 to 2009 A4 Cabriolet, 2008 and 2009 TT, 2009 to 2011 TTS. Other causes of the warning light and damage from tuned engine computers are not covered.
Coverage:
10 years or 120,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-22-04
Takata driver or passenger airbag inflator failure
The problem:
The driver or passenger Takata airbag inflator can fail from a defect. This extension is for cars in the Takata inflator recall.
The fix:
An Audi dealer diagnoses the inflators and replaces a failed inflator for free. Inoperable or totaled cars and salvage, rebuilt or flood titles are not covered.
Who qualifies:
Cars in the Takata recall. After the main term, coverage lasts 75,000 miles from the recall repair or a time limit, whichever is greater: November 10, 2023, or 2 years if repaired after November 10, 2021.
Coverage:
10 years from the recall repair or 150,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first. Then a further period applies.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Service campaignAudi 24T3
Intake runner control motor replaced before failure
The problem:
The intake runner control motor, also called the intake manifold flap actuator, may fail on 2.0 TFSI engines built in a certain period. The campaign aims to prevent this.
The fix:
An Audi dealer checks the motor's part number. If it does not match the numbers Audi lists, the dealer fits the new part.
Who qualifies:
2.0 TFSI cars in set VIN ranges: 2006 to 2008 A3 and A4, 2007 and 2008 A4 Cabriolet, 2008 TT. The campaign must still be open on the car's VIN.
Coverage:
Free while the car is still within the intake runner motor warranty extension. Ask an Audi dealer for the exact terms.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA gave the 2008 A4 no overall, frontal or side rating. It did rate each seat in those tests and lists the seat ratings under Rating Breakdown on its page. We show them the same way below. These tests are from before 2011, so the stars are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and newer models. See the 2008 A4 ratings on NHTSA.gov.

4-door, Avant 4-door, S4 4-door and S4 Avant 4-door, all with side airbags

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Driver seat4/5

Passenger seat4/5

Side crashNot rated

Front seat5/5

Rear seat4/5

Rollover4/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2008 A4, from its six recalls, three Audi warranty extensions that may still apply and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA 18V427000
Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, January 2018 NHTSA 18V082000
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, January 2017 NHTSA 17V032000
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, June 2016 NHTSA 16V382000
Air Bag Control Unit Power Supply Corrosion NHTSA 16V376000
Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 6 recalls and which are still open.

Ask an Audi Dealer

Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

Intake runner control motor and PCV valve faults
PCV valve fault with check engine light
AWA-22-04: takata driver or passenger airbag inflator failure

On the Test Drive

Ask how often oil is added between changes, and watch for blue smoke at startup.
Look for uneven tire wear and listen for clunks or humming that changes with speed.
Accelerate gently from a stop and again at 20 to 40 mph. Shudder, slipping or harsh shifts are warning signs. Ask for the transmission fluid records.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

High oil consumption
Headlights
Timing chain or camshaft
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All A4 Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Audi may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.