2008 Audi S6: common problems and reliability
· 2006-2010An average S6 year.
2 owner complaints, most about air bags. 2 recalls.
Should I buy a 2008 S6?The 2008 Audi S6 has 2 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and seat belts. Owners most often flag carbon buildup on intake valves requiring walnut blasting.
Safety record for the 2008 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2008 Audi S6 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other S6 years only. How we score it
Is 2008 a good year for the S6?
Across the 15 S6 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2010) to 42 (2013). With 2 complaints, the 2008 S6 sits about the same as the model's median of 4.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2008 S6
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 18V427000Volkswagen 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.
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 17V032000Volkswagen 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.
What owners report on the 2006-2010 S6
Owners of the 2006-2010 S6 describe it as a labor of love: a naturally aspirated 5.2L V10 that sounds and performs unlike anything else, wrapped in a car that is expensive and demanding to maintain.
- Very frequentCarbon buildup on intake valves requiring walnut blasting
- RecurrentIntake manifold flaps breaking or sticking, sometimes requiring manifold replacement or gutting
- RecurrentOil leaks, including from camshaft solenoid O-rings and valve cover gaskets
- RecurrentExpensive engine-out repair bills for major engine work
- IsolatedTiming chain noise
Owner insights for the 2006-2010 S6. Read the full 2006-2010 owner report.
Typical used price
Used S6 listings typically run $19,298–$37,790.
Other S6 model years
Compare every S6 year side by side to see how 2008 ranks against the rest.
Compare the S6 against its rivals
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