The Lemon Index
200720093rd generation (C6)
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 11,956 in the U.S. in 2008 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 12 complaints in its first 3 years.
12 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Lexus ES 862008 BMW 5 Series 2142008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 10 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 18V427000 (airbags), 17V032000 (airbags) and 16V382000 (airbags) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Audi sent dealers 495 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “While vehicle is at idle speed, engine resonance may lead to vibrations within the headlights”?
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 12 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.
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 7K to 32K miles (11K to 52K km) on the car (10 of all 12 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
2008 Audi a6. Consumer states when resuming acceleration the vehicle suddenly has a fuel shut-off causing a sudden and sharp deceleration and sudden loss of power transfer during acceleration.
2008 Audi A6 owner · NHTSA complaint 10314269
More owner reports
2008 Audi a6 will shut off while driving. Consumer states that the vehicle shut off completely at speeds up to 65 mph. He states that this failure has occurred on three separate occasions.
NHTSA complaint 10222837
Problems Audi told dealers about
Audi sent dealers 495 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- While vehicle is at idle speed, engine resonance may lead to vibrations within the headlights
- Self leveling compressor inoperative
- Automatic headlight switches on and off without reason
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Airbags · recall issued 2018
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.
- Airbags · recall issued 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 4 recalls
- Body structure · recall issued 2007
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…
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
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,800–$4,400 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.1L 6-cyl, 4.2L 8-cyl.
Every Audi A6 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.
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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-a6/?y=2008" title="Audi A6 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="330" 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-a6/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Audi A6 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Audi A6 reliable?
We can't score it: only 11,956 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 12 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2008 Audi A6 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (25%), engine (25%) and transmission & drivetrain (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Audi A6 have?
4 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 A6 get?
18 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2008 Audi A6 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Audi A6 cost in fuel a year?
About $3,800 to $4,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Audi A6 have?
3.1L 6-cyl, 4.2L 8-cyl.
What Audi A6 year is better than the 2008?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2015 drew the fewest (about a third 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