Makes›Audi›A6›2008

2008 Audi A6

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

Audi A6
Pictured: Audi A6 C9 IAA 2025 DSC 1920. Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Body styles
3.2 4dr Sedan AWD, 4.2 4dr Sedan AWD, 4dr Avant AWD Wagon 3.2, S6 4dr Sedan AWD
Engines
3.1L 6-cyl, 4.2L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
21 combined · 18 city / 27 hwy
Length
193.7–194.1 in
Curb weight
4,035–4,354 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 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.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 23 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2008 Audi A6 is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (3.1L 6-cyl and 4.2L 8-cyl) and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 194 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,035 lb (3.2 4dr Sedan AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (18 city / 27 highway), 0% better than the 2008 midsize car average of 21.1 MPG, for an estimated $3,900 a year in fuel.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 55 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 A6 — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 A6 →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
3.2 4dr Sedan AWD193.7 in73.2 in57.5 in111.8 in62.2 / 62.2 in4,035 lb61/39
4.2 4dr Sedan AWD193.7 in73.2 in57.5 in111.8 in62.2 / 62.2 in4,222 lb61/39
4dr Avant AWD Wagon 3.2194.1 in73.2 in58.3 in111.8 in61.4 / 62.2 in4,167 lb56/44
S6 4dr Sedan AWD193.7 in73.2 in57.5 in111.8 in62.2 / 62.2 in4,354 lb61/39

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
A63.1L 6-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive18 / 27 / 210%$3,900423
A6 quattro3.1L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive17 / 25 / 20-5%$4,100444
A6 Avant quattro3.1L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive17 / 25 / 20+1%$4,100444
A6 quattro4.2L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 18-15%$4,550494
Spend $7,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
21.1 MPG2008 Midsize 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 A6 under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2008 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2008 Audi A6 (this car)21 MPGNot rated3
2008 BMW 5 Series21 MPGNot rated3
2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class26 MPGNot rated0
2008 Lexus LS21 MPGNot rated2
2008 Lexus GS23 MPGNot rated4
2008 Lexus ES22 MPGNot rated3
2008 Cadillac CTS21 MPGNot rated2

Recalls (3)

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 › 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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2008 Audi A6 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

55Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
2Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
5Injuries reported
102,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags48
Exterior Lighting3
Engine2
Electrical System1
Seat Belts1
Power Train1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
16/12: 117/01: 117/02: 517/03: 117/04: 217/05: 117/06: 217/07: 217/08: 217/09: 217/10: 117/11: 517/12: 118/01: 118/03: 118/04: 118/06: 218/07: 318/10: 119/01: 119/02: 222/09: 125/01: 126/08: 116/1217/0317/0617/0917/1218/0418/1022/09max 5

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2008 Audi A6 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 48 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Exterior Lighting — 3 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  4. Engine — 2 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 102,000 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 A6. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other A6 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 A624196.9 inNot rated19
2025 A626194.5 inNot rated39
2024 A626194.5 inNot rated13
2023 A627194.5 inNot rated13
2022 A626194.5 inNot rated54
2021 A626194.5 in★★★★★1227
2020 A627194.5 in★★★★★934
2019 A627194.5 in★★★★★7114
2018 A628193.7 in★★★★★211
2017 A628193.7 inNot rated320
2016 A630193.7 inNot rated351
2015 A629193.7 inNot rated422

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