NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 4 owner complaints for the 2008 Audi S4. Most complaints involve air bags (3) and steering (1). The EPA rates it 15–16 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.
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Air bags
3 reports
“TAKATA RECALL. HAVE RECEIVED LATEST NOTICE (NHSTA 17V032) INDICATING THAT MY VEHICLE NEEDS INTERIM REMEDY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. HAVE CALLED DEALERSHIP (AUDI BURLINGTON MA) 3-4 TIMES TO HAVE REPAIR SCHEDULED OVER LAST 2 MONTHS. WAS ON THE REPAIR SCHEDULE FOR TODAY AT 10:15 AM BUT THEY CANCELLED SAYING PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE (HAVE EMAIL). ACCORDING TO NOTICE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. DEALER REFUSES TO GIVE ME A ORDER NUMBER FOR THE PART FOR MY VEHICLE (CLAIMING THEY ARE ORDERED IN BULK NOT BY VIN), REFUSES TO GIVE ME AN ESTIMATE TO WHEN PART WILL BE IN. MY VEHICLE IS APPROACHING 10 YEARS OLD, I BELIEVE DUE TO BEING IN MA IN GROUP 5. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THEY WILL CALL ME WHEN PART IS AVAILABLE BUT WILL GIVE NO TIME ESTIMATE, CLAIMS I AM ON A "SHORT LIST" FOR THE REPAIR. I AM LEFT IN A SITUATION WHERE I CAN'T USE MY PASSENGER SEAT DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS FOR THE LAST YEAR AND NOW HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THIS WILL BE ADDRESSED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed May 3, 2018·Air bagsODI 11091495
Steering
1 report
“MY VEHICLE HAS INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE STEERING WHEEL GOES FROM PRACTICALLY FROZEN TO BEING LOOSE WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAN CAUSE DRIVING OFF THE ROAD, INTO TRAFFIC, CRASH, ETC. DEALERSHIP, DELTA AUDI, GRAND RAPIDS, MI, CANNOT REPLICATE AND REFUSE TO DRIVE SIMILAR TO THE CONDITIONS IT FAILS, FOR LACK OF STAFF AND RESOURCES. AUDI OF AMERICA AND "STATE REPRESENTATIVE" AND "END OF THE LINE" DECISION MAKER RYAN CONLIN (248) 754-3426, STATES HE WILL OFFER NO FURTHER RESOLVE. HE REFUSES TO PUT IN WRITING EFFORTS MADE TO RESOLVE, TO DATE. HE STATES THAT I MAY NOT SPEAK WITH, NOR HAVE CONTACT INFORMATION FOR HIS SUPERVISOR KELLY ROLAND. I AM TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE IS OPERATIONAL. UNPREDICATABLE ABILITY TO STEER A VEHICLE IS A CLEAR SAFETY ISSUE. AUDI REFUSES TO APPROPRIATELY ADDRESS. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Nov 11, 2011·SteeringODI 10435277
2 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 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 S4 problems?
Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (3), steering (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2008 Audi S4 get?
The EPA rates the 2008 Audi S4 at 15–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).