2.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
49,138 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Audi A4 engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Audi A4 Owner Comments

problem #13

Jun 062024

A4

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Bought this car from a guy add said car runs great has smog, reg, ac works great (not )my boyfriend before I could say anything gave guy money and I signed the bill of sale I said should test drive it so drove to my mechanic in vista ca and he said a German car oh boy and I said ouch so he said to bring it back by after checking it out so he could look in to it further so got in car that had spiderwebs on the motor my guy don't know much about cars so we went back and car stopped steering locked up ignition locked up car shut down in middle of busy traffic and would not turn over nothing so called my apt manager thought out of gas so he got some gas put it in and it started after 1 and a 1/2 hours got to gas station filled it up and started up and got back was scared because of this car people don't care almost got hit a few times so went back to seller gone so tried to find a number none text on face bk market place said this car has problems almost killed us just stopped and nothing worked went to Walmart to get some break fluid and coolent car hot and ac didn't work and something leaking it was brake fluid then check engine light on friend came and checked it and the little thing that hook up see what codes for diagnoses or why check engine light on was throwing codes misfire and fuel pump and more don't remember but my guy took pictures of the codes went back Monday cause got car [XXX] and the guy sent my guy a message bring it by and I'll look at it the car runs great he said master cylinder leaking coolent leaking oil was old how did this car even pass smog with it misfiring and shutting down once in street and at Walmart it just shut off now told fuel pump coil wires were cracked two relay switches were broken fixed one and car misfiring hole in the mast cylinder and fluid leaking and this seller calls him self a mechanic very sad have put over $100 dollars the guy fixed the ac and gave my guy 40 dollars I paid $55 seller their car at my mechanics. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORM

- Vista, CA, USA

problem #12

Jun 012023

A4

  • miles
Overheating in traffic replaced water pump, gasket. radiator, fan control module, thermostat, and hoses. Happens every summer!!!!! No fluid leakage. Could this be the same problem as the 2013 model recall

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #11

Feb 042018

A4

  • 34,000 miles
At 33,000 miles car epc light was illuminated. Took car to independent service station and reading could not be attained for any trouble code. Within 2 weeks just started driving the car. Oil pressure light came on. Car died and would not start. Had car towed to service station. Was informed that the engine computer needed to be replaced. Once replaced they realized that the engine crankshaft has seized. Engine needed to be replaced (with only 34,000 miles on the care and regular maintenance). Called Audi dealership and was told that the car was too old and that they would not even bring the issue to the manufacturer. We had the engine replaced through local service station. Service station suggested that when they researched they found that this was a common issue on the A4 2.0T. We realize that the car is 10 years old, but at 34,000 miles a cars engine should not need to be replaced. Audi should take responsibility for the engine issues.

- Barrington, IL, USA

problem #10

May 022016

A4

  • 101,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving on rout 62 with my 16 year old niece and my car felt like it went into neutral, the lights on the dash started flashing. The brake pedal felt tight but I was able to pull over without causing an accident. It keeps happening and I am afraid to drive. (especially knowing there is an open recall because my airbags may not work or worse, cause severe injury due to metal shrapnel) I also read that my car has a hidden defect that the timing chain can go at any time, causing catastrophic engine failure. I brought it to an independent Volkswagen Audi mechanic where they did a diagnostic. He told me to bring it to someplace that specializes in transmissions.I looked in my owners manual and under transmissions. It says if this happens drive it to your nearest Audi shop. I emailed Audi because I read that there were recalls and technical service bulletins about the diagnostic code P0606. I saw that there are many class action lawsuits and complaints all about the same problem with my car. I can't wait years for a class action lawsuit. I live in new england and it's getting cold. This is my only car. I bought 6 months ago, in November. I have done all the service and maintenance recommended by Audi. What ever it is that is wrong with my car, Audi has fixed other cars but not fixing mine and my car. I take excellent care of my car, inside and out. It has been serviced at every recommend milage date. Nothing has ever gone neglected. My car is completely inoperable and it is due to defects that were made during manufacturing. I do not trust Audi customer service or the Audi service center.

- Beverly, MA, USA

problem #9

Jun 042016

A4

  • miles
June 4 2016 my vehicle stalled while driving on the freeway. Per Audi dealer the cause is engine failure as the oil pump has a tendency to go bad causing no compression in the engine. The vehicle used synthetic oil and had its oil changed frequently including having to add additional oil as it was burning through oil quickly which appears to be common in these vehicles. The camshaft also needed replacing within one year after purchasing the vehicle. There is a fault in the engines and such breakdowns should not occur. Audi has quoted $14000 to fix and offered no financial support or further explanation.

- Stokesdale, NC, USA

problem #8

May 012016

A4

  • 86,000 miles
Engine consumes oil

- West Hills, CA, USA

problem #7

Mar 032016

A4

  • 60,711 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

At 47658 miles check engine light came on dealer stated it was the camshaft & repaired at cost of $2007. (2/14) and same problem again at 60,711 miles at cost of $2305. There was a camshaft warranty extension (recall) for 10 yrs. 100,000 miles for same car for 2005 to 2007. My 2008 car was purchased 10/07 & would assume mfg. In 2007 which was the time period the camshaft problem existed and covered under that warranty. It appears Audi did not want to extend that warranty into the next year even though the camshaft problem still existed. The camshaft should never have to replaced at such low mileage once much less twice on a much less expensive car much less than an Audi. This is my third Audi and I have never had a problem before. To date I have spent $4300 in 2 years on something that should not have to be replaced. Your thoughts and assistance would be greatly appreciated.

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

problem #6

May 012009

A4

  • miles
I have an Audi A4 2008 that has a long standing oil consumption problem. The Audi dealership in las vegas assures me it is normal for the Audi turbo engines to require additional oil 'top offs' between the regular oil change intervals. I have owned several other (non Audi) turbo engine automobiles, and I know this is not 'normal'. I have read many online forums on this topic, where the Audi A4 owner was eventually informed the engine seals were bad, causing the oil consumption problem, but Audi would not cover any costs to repair such on the 2008 A4 model. This vehicle has always used synthetic oil, which should only need oil replacing twice a year. But every 4 weeks the 'low oil' dashboard light illuminates, and I need to add another quart or two quarts. There is an Audi design flaw on the A4 engine, otherwise it would not be burning through excessive oil the way it does.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #5

Dec 222015

A4

  • 95,000 miles
Sensors (1) the sensor for rear light keeps coming on and off (2) stability sensor is on for no apparent reason (3) oil light is on despite having oil in the car (4) car eats oil (5) it is impossible to change the driver side right headlight bulb (6) mechanics and dealers overcharge for parts and service not only in the us but also in australia $500 for bulb, $300 for oil change, $200 per hour labor. This is more expensive than getting a head transplant.

- Carmel, NY, USA

problem #4

Jun 302014

A4 4-cyl

  • 59,000 miles
The vehicle had a long standing oil consumption problem commonly known on this model and year vehicle which Audi acknowledged by authorizing a repair. As a result, Audi of America and schmitt's Audi in bowmansville, NY agreed to replace the engine piston rings to address this problem. Although I reported the problem multiple times during the warranty period, Audi did not agree to perform the repairs until after the warranty expired. The engine was taken apart by schmitt's in October 2013 at just under 57K miles, the timing belt was removed and the piston rings were replaced. However, approx. 3,000 miles later, on June 30th, while driving 60 mph on I-90 the timing belt snapped without notice, causing bent valves and major engine failure. The car came to a stop in the middle of the highway split with rte. 219 which was a very dangerous situation. The police had to come to provide protection from traffic. Schmitt's was the last to touch the engine but denied responsibility for the belt failure and stated that the timing belt was defective. Audi of America denied that the belt was defective, even though according to the 2008 Audi maintenance schedule the belt was not due to be changed until 110K miles. The belt broke at roughly half the mileage it was recommended to be changed at. Audi denied all responsibility for the $4200 engine repair cost and stated I was out of warranty therefore no coverage was available. I had extensive communications with Audi president [xxx] office and with schmitt's Audi over a 6+ week period trying to resolve the issue, to no avail. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #3

Aug 202014

A4 4-cyl

  • 83,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2008 Audi A4 avant with the 2.0 liter turbo motor/ engine code is bwt. Camshaft lobe and high pressure fuel premature worn out. Audi knew about this issue in 2010 about the premature wear on the camshaft lobe and high pressure fuel pump.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #2

Dec 032012

A4

  • 59,000 miles
I too am having issues with my Audi A4 turbo I have to put oil in my vehicle seems like every month or so. I've had the car for only 6 months and I have had 2 oil changes and about 10 quarts of oil in that time. My mechanic says with synthetic oil you should only need oil changes twice a year. I too keep getting told this is normal...this is not normal, there should be something done about this situation....this can not be good for my engine. I also went to have my ac looked at and found that this vehicle also has electrical issues when it comes to the ac this car is turning out to be not worth the money at all. I cant not believe Audi is selling this type of vehicle I have always had a great experience with Audi in the past but this time I think I have had enough.

- Lithonia, GA, USA

problem #1

Jul 132010

A4 4-cyl

  • 61,087 miles
Problem: Premature wear of the cam and cam follower resulting in P0087 errors. This causes the car to run very erratic, surging and bucking and a general loss of power. There is an Audi tsb (technical service bulletin) on this very issue for my 2005, 2006 and 2007. This is a very wide spread problem! my 2008 Audi should be covered. --- at around 60K miles the car started experiencing the dreaded premature wear of the cam lobe follower and the high pressure fuel pump lobe. The follower was replaced but the cam was not. The car was then taken to my Audi mechanic and I was told this is a widespread problem and that Audi had extended the warranty on the high pressure pump, cam follower and the cam to 120,000 miles and mine would be covered. When I took it to the Audi dealer they did everything that had a recall and told me to try it. The problem quickly returned and I had my mechanic remove the high pressure pump and we looked at the wear on the follower and cam. The cam as well as the follower were extremely worn. I do have pictures from then and now that the cam and follower have been replaced, I have the old parts as well. Next took it back to Audi dealership expecting to have this issue resolved and was told my VIN was outside the extended warranty program and was not covered. They then told me I needed a cam and follower and I was given an estimate. I would Audi to reimbruse me for the work I had performed.

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

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