Makes›Audi›A4›2008

2008 Audi A4

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.

Audi A4
Pictured: Audi A4 B9 sedans (FL) 1X7A2441. Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Subcompact Cars
Body styles
4dr Avant AWD Wagon 2.0t, 4dr Avant AWD Wagon 3.2/S4, 4dr Sedan AWD 2.0t, 4dr Sedan AWD 3.2
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.1L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
24 combined · 21 city / 31 hwy
Length
179.9–180.7 in
Curb weight
3,428–4,079 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
6 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • Many owner complaints158 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 11 for similar models — most often about the air bags.
  • 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 20 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2008 Audi A4 is a subcompact car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.1L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 181 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,671 lb (4dr Avant AWD Wagon 2.0t).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 24 MPG combined (21 city / 31 highway), 14% better than the 2008 subcompact car average of 21.1 MPG, for an estimated $3,400 a year in fuel.

It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 158 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2008

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2007 A4 — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 A4 →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Avant AWD Wagon 2.0t180.7 in70.1 in56.3 in104.3 in58.7 / 58.7 in3,671 lb59/41
4dr Avant AWD Wagon 3.2/S4180.7 in70.1 in56.3 in104.3 in58.7 / 58.7 in3,770 lb59/41
4dr Sedan AWD 2.0t180.7 in69.7 in56.3 in104.3 in59.1 / 59.1 in3,660 lb58/42
4dr Sedan AWD 3.2180.7 in69.7 in56.3 in104.3 in59.1 / 59.1 in3,748 lb58/42
4dr Sedan FWD 2.0t180.7 in69.7 in56.3 in104.3 in59.1 / 59.1 in3,428 lb58/42
Cabriolet 2dr Conv AWD 3.2179.9 in70.1 in54.7 in104.3 in59.4 / 59.4 in4,079 lb59/41

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
A4 Cabriolet2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive21 / 30 / 24+14%$3,400370
A42.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive21 / 30 / 24+10%$3,400370
A42.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive20 / 31 / 24+10%$3,400370
A4 quattro2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23+5%$3,550386
A4 Avant quattro2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23+2%$3,550386
A4 Cabriolet quattro2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive19 / 27 / 22+4%$3,750404
A4 quattro2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive19 / 27 / 220%$3,750404
A4 Avant quattro2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive19 / 27 / 22-2%$3,750404
A43.1L 6-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive18 / 27 / 21-4%$3,900423
A4 Cabriolet quattro3.1L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive17 / 25 / 20-5%$4,100444
A4 quattro3.1L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive17 / 25 / 20-9%$4,100444
A4 Avant quattro3.1L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive17 / 25 / 20-11%$4,100444
A4 quattro3.1L 6-cylManual 6-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive15 / 25 / 19-13%$4,350468
A4 Avant quattro3.1L 6-cylManual 6-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive15 / 25 / 19-16%$4,350468
Spend $5,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
21.1 MPG2008 Subcompact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Audi A4 under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2008 subcompact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2008 Audi A4 (this car)24 MPGNot rated6
2008 BMW 3 Series22 MPGNot rated1
2008 Lexus IS24 MPGNot rated9
2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class21 MPGNot rated0
2008 Lexus GS23 MPGNot rated4
2008 Audi A521 MPGNot rated1
2008 Volvo S6022 MPGNot rated2

Recalls (6)

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jun 22, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V427000 · 237,947 vehicles

Problem
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.
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 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 › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Jan 30, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V082000 · 162,782 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 11, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V032000 · 33,421 vehicles

Problem
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.
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. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall number 18V427.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jun 1, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V382000 · 194,453 vehicles

Problem
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.
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 service at 1-800-822-2834.
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-Inactive · May 27, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V376000 · 8,381 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Audi A4, A5, and Q5 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.
Risk
If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Fix
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69O1.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Feb 10, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V079000 · 151,767 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2006 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons, 2005-2013 Audi A3, and 2006-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2008 Audi A4 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

158Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
6Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
3Injuries reported
77,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags130
Power Train11
Engine9
Exterior Lighting8
Electrical System7
Fuel/Propulsion System5
Unknown Or Other2
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
17/12: 218/01: 218/02: 218/03: 218/04: 118/05: 118/07: 1318/08: 118/09: 218/10: 218/11: 119/01: 219/03: 119/04: 119/08: 320/01: 121/05: 122/08: 122/10: 123/07: 124/06: 125/01: 126/02: 126/04: 117/1218/0318/0718/1019/0320/0122/1025/01max 13

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2008 Audi A4 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 130 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Power Train — 11 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  4. Engine — 9 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 77,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Audi A4. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other A4 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2025 A429187.4 inNot rated01
2024 A430187.4 inNot rated06
2023 A428187.4 inNot rated111
2022 A429187.4 inNot rated37
2021 A428187.4 inNot rated413
2020 A430187.4 inNot rated3158
2019 A430186.2 inNot rated113
2018 A431186.2 inNot rated454
2017 A431186.2 inNot rated687
2016 A427185 inNot rated326
2015 A426185.8 inNot rated443
2014 A426185.8 inNot rated470

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →