NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 71 owner complaints for the 2008 Audi A6. Most complaints involve air bags (49) and electrical system (7). The EPA rates it 18–21 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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.
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Air bags
49 reports2 crashes
“On August 3, 2026, a 2008 Audi A6 was traveling on the George Washington Parkway in Virginia when the driver encountered a large tree branch in the roadway and swerved to avoid it. The vehicle struck a curb, became airborne, rolled, and went down an embankment before coming to rest. The driver was wearing a seat belt. The driver’s frontal airbag in the steering wheel deployed, but none of the side or curtain airbags deployed during the crash. Given the severity and multiple-impact sequence of the accident, I am reporting the non-deployment so NHTSA can evaluate whether the side and curtain airbag systems operated as designed. The vehicle sustained significant damage and was declared a total loss. It remains intact and available for inspection, and we have requested that it be preserved.The vehicle has been in the same family since it was purchased new in 2008, with two owners within the family. It had never been involved in an accident before this crash, and to our knowledge there had been no previous airbag deployments or repairs to the airbag or restraint systems. There were no airbag warning lights, messages, or other indications of a problem before the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Aug 8, 2026·Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11755588
Electrical system
7 reports
“THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON ALL FOUR SIDES OF MY VEHICLE AND THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE TWICE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. THE VOLTAGE IS TOO HIGH/HOT FOR THE THE CHEAP WIRES AUDI USED IN THE THEIR ASSEMBLY LIGHT HOUSING THAT THE WIRES PROTECTIVE COATING IS LITERALLY BURNED/MELTED OFF EXPOSING THE WIRES. THIS THEN LEADS TO THE LIGHTS AND COMPUTER CHIPS TO GO OUT, AND FIRES TO OCCUR IN VEHICLES. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS ON THE INTERNET REPORTING THIS AND AUDI IS AWARE BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT THREE MECHANICS THAT I SENT MY CAR TO ALSO SAID THEY SEE THIS A LOT IN AUDI VEHICLES. I WAS IN TWO NEAR ACCIDENTS BECAUSE THE TAIL LIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AND THE OTHER CAR DID NOT SEE MY TURN SIGNAL OR MY BRAKE LIGHT IN THE OTHER INCIDENT. SOME ONE IS GOING TO BE HURT BY THIS PROBLEM IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY. I HAVE ALMOST TWICE. I HAVE CONTACTED AUDI ALL FIVE TIMES THIS HAS OCCURRED TO ME BUT THEY REFUSE TO COVER OR ASSIST IN THIS KNOWN PROBLEM AND THEY THEN CHARGE OVER $1200 FOR EACH LIGHT TO BE REPAIRED NOT INCLUDING LABOR! I DID GET ONE OF THE REAR LIGHTS COVERED BUT THAT WAS BECAUSE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Aug 11, 2015·Electrical systemODI 10747856
Exterior lighting
6 reports
“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 complaint to NHTSA·Filed Apr 3, 2018·Exterior lightingODI 11083138
4 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
What are the most common 2008 Audi A6 problems?
Owners filed 71 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (49), electrical system (7), exterior lighting (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2008 Audi A6 get?
The EPA rates the 2008 Audi A6 at 18–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).