Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 71 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Audi A6, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 47 | 66% |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 6% |
| Power train | 2 | 3% |
| Air bags | 2 | 3% |
| Engine | 2 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 1% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 1% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 airbo
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 e
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TCM is defective will not allow car to shift into gear causing car to stop in traffic with no warnings
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 RE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2008 Audi A6. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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 servi
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, N
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
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, th
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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 servic
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 MOVEME
Risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN AN UNINTENDED RAPID CLOSING OF THE REAR LID WITH A RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
| Reliability raw | 79 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 61 | average |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 75 | good |
| Efficiency | 37 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 71 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 47 of them (66%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 79/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2008 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.