2008 Audi A6

Routine

Owners filed 71 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags48
205
Exterior Lighting6
000
Electrical System4
000
Fuel System, Gasoline2
000
Engine and Engine Cooling2
000
Engine2
010
Vehicle Speed Control1
000
Service Brakes1
000
Seat Belts1
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission1
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module18V427000
Filed Jun 22, 2018237,947 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module17V032000
Filed Jan 11, 201733,421 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module16V382000
Filed Jun 1, 2016194,453 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

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. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834.

Structure › Body › Trunk Lid07V334000
Filed Aug 1, 200723,898 vehiclesVolkswagen Of America, Inc

Defect. 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.

Risk. THIS CAN RESULT IN AN UNINTENDED RAPID CLOSING OF THE REAR LID WITH A RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 8, 2026VA

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 crash.Police responded to the accident, and the vehicle has been inspected by the insurance company. It has not yet been inspected by Audi or an independent engineer specifically regarding the side and curtain airbag non-deployment. I understand a rollover alone does not necessarily require these airbags to deploy. My conce

Air Bags
Filed Jan 24, 2025MD

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.

Power Train
Filed Sep 11, 2022FL

TCM is defective will not allow car to shift into gear causing car to stop in traffic with no warnings

Air Bags
Filed Feb 27, 2019CT

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.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 11, 2019IL

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.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 3, 2019OH

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.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 26, 2018CT

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

Air Bags
Filed Jul 31, 2018NJ

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.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 26, 2018NJ

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.

Air BagsCrash4 injured
Filed Jul 26, 2018134,000 milesVA

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

Air Bags
Filed Jun 18, 2018WI

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V032000 (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. THE DEALER (INTERNATIONAL MERCEDES-BENZ MILWAUKEE, 2400 S 108TH ST, MILWAUKEE, WI 53227, (866) 455-8708) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY AND THAT THERE WAS A PREPOSITION RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 12, 2018OH

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.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Apr 3, 2018NY

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.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 5, 2018WA

TAKATA RECALL I HAVE BEEN WAITING OVER A YEAR FOR THE AIRBAG FIX ON MY CAR. THIS AMOUNT OF TIME IS EXTREMELY CONCERNING GIVEN THIS IS A LIFE/SAFETY FIX. HOW MUCH LONGER WILL THIS TAKE?

Air Bags
Filed Jan 29, 2018ID

" TAKATA RECALL " IN DECEMBER 2016 I PURCHASED A USED LOW MILE 2008 AUDI A6 FROM BOISE VOLKSWAGEN-AUDI IN BOISE IDAHO. IT HAS THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL ON IT. I BELIEVE AUDI NEW ABOUT THE RECALL BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR. THE DEALER HAS NOT FIXED IT BECAUSE THEY DON`T HAVE THE PARTS. THEIR SOLUTION IS DON`T LET ANYONE RIDE IN THE FRONT SEAT! REALLY? I HAVE TWO TEENAGE KIDS AND TWO ELDERLY PARENTS I TAKE CARE OF. I CAN`T OWN A CAR THAT I CANNOT USE OR SHOULD I HAVE TOO. THE RECALL SAYS THE METAL PARTS OF THE AIR BAG CAN COME APART AND CAN CAUSE FATAL INJURY, SO THAT PUTS EVERYONE IN THE CAR IN DANGER, NOT JUST THE PASSENGER! I THINK AUDI SHOULD BUY MY CAR BACK OR GIVE ME A LOANER CAR UNTIL THEY ARE ABLE TO FIX THE SAFETY ISSUE. I AM SUPER UNHAPPY WITH THIS AND AFRAID TO EVEN DRIVE THE CAR, BUT I HAVE TO BECAUSE ITS MY ONLY SOURCE OF TRANSPORTATION. WHAT CAN BE DONE?

Air Bags
Filed Dec 12, 2017WI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V032000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (AUDI MILWAUKEE, 10606 W ARTHUR AVE, MILWAUKEE, WI 53227) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 20, 2017MA

TAKATA RECALL. AIRBAG HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT WITH THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE FATAL BODILY HARM IN THE EVENT THE PRODUCT DEPLOYS. SINCE 2016, MULTIPLE AUDI DEALERSHIPS HAVE NOT PROVIDED A SOLUTION REGARDING THIS ISSUE.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 17, 2017CO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V032000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (PRESTIGE AUDI, 9201 W COLIFAX AVE, LAKEWOOD, CO 80215) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 12, 2017NJ

TAKATA RECALL. I VISITED THE AUDI DEALERS SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR AND THEY SAID THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS AS THEY DON'T HAVE ANY PARTS IN STOCK AND WERE UNABLE TO GIVE ME A TIMELINE FOR COMPLETION

Air Bags
Filed Nov 8, 2017NY

TAKATA RECALL RELATED - A NHTSA RECALL NUMBER HAS BEEN ISSUED - 17V032 AND A MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER HAS BEEN ISSUED - 69P6 NEARLY 11 MONTHS AGO BUT NO REMEDY HAS BEEN PROVIDED.

20 of 71 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20266000Routine
20256200Routine
20242100Routine
20232100Routine
20222500Routine
2021161100Routine
202025900Routine
2019114710Routine
201811210Routine
201720300Routine
201651320Routine
201522400Routine
201441400Routine
201352620Routine
201259800Routine
201121300Routine
201017310Routine
200921400Routine
2008 — this page71410Routine
200753400Routine
200667410Routine
200591320Routine
200435420Routine
200366750Routine
200288431Fatalities reported
2001113770Routine
2000148480Routine
19992179232Fatalities reported
19981301070Routine
199720240Routine
199651210Routine
199516200Routine
19942100Routine

Compare every A6 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jun 22, 2018. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.