The Lemon Index
20072009Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 4,759 in the U.S. in 2008 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 16 complaints in its first 3 years.
16 owner complaints, first 3 years 21–25 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 BMW 3 Series 1442008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 402008 Lexus IS 59
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 16 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 18V082000 (airbags), 16V079000 (airbags) and 09V377000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Audi's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 16 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Transmission problems in every Audi A3 year →
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 14K to 25K miles (24K to 40K km) on the car (16 of all 16 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
From a stop, or slow speeds, transmission was lurching w/out an apparent pattern.
2008 Audi A3 owner · NHTSA complaint 10282675
Recalls 3
- Airbags · recall issued 2018
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2009
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 AUDI A3, TT, AND TT ROADSTER PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 29, 2005 AND AUGUST 26, 2009.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,200–$3,800 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 3.2L 6-cyl.
Every Audi A3 year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 3 Audi A3 years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2008 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/audi-a3/?y=2008" title="Audi A3 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="284" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/audi-a3/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Audi A3 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Audi A3 reliable?
We can't score it: only 4,759 were sold in the U.S. in 2008 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 16 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2008 Audi A3 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (75%), engine (12%) and tires (6%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Audi A3 have?
3 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Audi A3 get?
21 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2008 Audi A3 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 75% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Audi A3 cost in fuel a year?
About $3,200 to $3,800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Audi A3 have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.2L 6-cyl.
What Audi A3 year is better than the 2008?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2016 drew the fewest (about half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works