Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Audi A6 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On August 3, 2026, a 2008 Audi A6 was traveling on the George Washington Parkway in Virginia when the driver encountered a large tree branch in the roadway and swerved to avoid it. The vehicle struck a curb, became airborne, rolled, and went down an embankment before coming to rest. The driver was wearing a seat belt. The driver's frontal airbag in the steering wheel deployed, but none of the side or curtain airbags deployed during the crash. Given the severity and multiple-impact sequence of the accident, I am reporting the non-deployment so NHTSA can evaluate whether the side and curtain airbag systems operated as designed. The vehicle sustained significant damage and was declared a total loss. …
The contact owns a 2008 Audi A6. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V427000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
I was involved in a passenger side impact accident where the passenger side curtain did not deploy. The impacting vehicle was traveling above 35mph when it struck. There were no skid marks nor any attempt to slow the vehicle before impact. Both vehicles were totaled in the collision. All passengers in both vehicles (1 driver/ 1 passenger) were transported to the hospital for injuries. The vehicle is currently located at iaai in baltimore. Https://www.iaai.com​/vehicle?itemid=2884​8576&rownumber=16&lo​adrecent=true
" Takata recall " in December 2016 I purchased a used low mile 2008 Audi A6 from boise Volkswagen-Audi in boise idaho. It has the Takata airbag recall on it. I believe Audi new about the recall before I purchased the car. The dealer has not fixed it because they don`t have the parts. Their solution is don`t let anyone ride in the front seat! Really? I have two teenage kids and two elderly parents I take care of. I can`t own a car that I cannot use or should I have too. The recall says the metal parts of the air bag can come apart and can cause fatal injury, so that puts everyone in the car in danger, not just the passenger! I think Audi should buy my car back or give me a loaner car until they are able to fix the safety issue. I am super unhappy with this and afraid to even drive the car, but I have to because its my only source of transportation. What can be done?
"Takata recall" we received notice date July 2016. Today is February 22, 2017 - waiting over 6 months for repair...no offer of a rental or compensation for a rental. Keep calling Audi who tells me that we are low risk and have been designated to wait until "high risk" are taken care of. One rep even said that they had not repaired any cars at the local Audi..dealership. My car is not getting any newer sitting in the garage as while Audi feels I am at low risk - I do not want to be in the paper as I or another driver has died as a result of a low-risk Takata air bag incident. Understand a 2 or 3 month wait, but we are are half a year and more...can someone investigate Audi and find out why they are not repairing vehicles that have been recalled?
Takata recall: after receiving the recall notice in May 2016, I contacted Audi in September 2016 to find out the progress on resolving the airbag issue. They indicated that they had no solution and no timeframe for a solution. As of December 10, 2016, that still appears to be the case. I am concerned because the vehicle is 8 years old and we live near the coast in florida. As I understand it, the recall priority is based partly on vehicle age and humidity in the area where the vehicle is used. I am trying to get some idea as to when this will be resolved. Thank you for your assistance in this matter. [redacted]
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Audi A6. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V032000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (international Mercedes-Benz milwaukee, 2400 s 108th st, milwaukee, wi 53227, [phone]) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy and that there was a preposition recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Takata recall, NHTSA: 17V032, I received a letter from Audi in March 2017 informing me of the recall. I contacted my local Audi dealer every month since trying to schedule the Takata airbag repair. After over six months Audi is still not able to schedule or complete the repair. This is unacceptable since it is such an important safety concern. There does not seem to be any way to move forward and Audi does not provide any information about when the repair will be available. I believe this is taking much too long to complete. Any help in the matter would be appreciated. Thank you. Best, [redacted] '
"Takata recall" July will mark one year and Audi still hasn't replaced my defective airbag. I live in georgia(zone a) and waiting a year to have something this dangerous not addressed is 100% unacceptable! These airbags have caused multiple deaths and with a family, not having someone sit in the front passenger seat is not an option. I'm forced to put my children in danger everyday driving them back and forth to school and Audi's response to their loyal costumers is don't drive the car or you can spend more money to trade up to a new car. I write this complaint in total frustration and hope that you can "move" Audi to do something about this life threatening issue. Thank you
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Audi A6. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V382000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted (Audi brookline in brookline, ma) and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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.
Remedy: 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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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,…
Remedy: 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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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…
Remedy: 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.
Airbag complaints in other A6 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Audi A6?
NHTSA has 49 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Audi A6, 69% of the model year's 71 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Audi A6 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-427 (inflator module, Jun 22, 2018); NHTSA recall 17V-032 (inflator module, Jan 11, 2017); NHTSA recall 16V-382 (inflator module, Jun 1, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Audi A6 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 102,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.