2008 Audi A4 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 6%of 175 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2008 Audi A4, 6% of the 175 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Headlights shut off while driving at night. I have looked at many forums and have seen this a problem in over 70 percent of Audi A4 b7 owners. This is an extreme hazard and needs to be fixed. My headlights shut off while driving at 8 pm. They would flicker, but would not re fire. I am speaking about the bi-xenon headlights for the 2006 - 2008 Audi line. I ended up driving home with my fog lights on.”
NHTSA complaint #10478060, filed 2012-10, 68,000 miles“My car gave me this message left headlight main beam dipped and the left headlight went off. The left head light come on for a while when I start the car in the night for a while and then goes off when I am on the road. I checked with the Audi USA customer service line and they didn't give me any plausible explanation. I went online with my car problem and found out that many Audi 2005-2009 have the same problem and the Audi dealerships don't want to deal with this issue with their cars”
NHTSA complaint #10907400, filed 2016-09, 123,000 miles“Shortly after purchased car, I complained that car was burning oil. I was assured this was normal and nothing to worry about. Continued more and more. I asked who was supposed to cover this added expense. They gave me oil for awhile, but that ended. In 2913 I was informed the seals were bad that is why it was using oil. They lied and denied an oil leak for over 3 years. Will not cover any costs to repair. More recent my headlight went out and they will not cover this expense either. This is the second Audi with headlight issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10670797, filed 2015-01, 12,000 miles“I have had repeated issues with oil consumption. Oil overconsumption has been the subject of a class action lawsuit for 2009-2011 a4s. For some reason the 2008 was not included in the lawsuit. I have had to top my oil off every 3,000 miles, at a minimum, for the entire life of the vehicle. This has been a safety issue numerous times where I was not close to any facility that sold oil and was forced to drive the car on low oil a long distance in order to top it off. I have also had issues with the headlights being dipped -- also a known problem for this year and model. …”
NHTSA complaint #10786163, filed 2015-10, 105,000 miles“I have the dipped headlight problem in my 2009 Audi A4/b7 driver-side headlight. I have my lights set to always be on. Every now and then I'll see the light flicker or go out and get the dipped headlight warning. What I do is turn my lights fully off, leave them off for a few seconds, and then switch them back on. This seems to fix the problem. Until now the headlight completely goes out with only the (dipped headlight) warning on my dashboard. This is a recall worthy problem as I have searched the internet with no luck only more victims who have to drive with malfunctioning headlights.”
NHTSA complaint #10505484, filed 2013-04, 69,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10244595Oct 30, 2023This bulletin provides information pertaining to when there are foreign objects inside of a headlight or taillight.
- 10189325Mar 18, 2021This informational bulletin contains information on the different shading of LED headlights.
- 10169118Dec 6, 2019Exterior lights, moisture accumulation 2013-2021 A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 Sportback, 2004-2005 A4 Cabriolet, 2004-2008 S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2010-2021 A4 allroad…
- 10127856Jul 31, 2017This informational bulletin contains technical information for when there is condensation visible on the inside of the headlight, taillight, fog light, side marker light, front…
- 10095155Sep 16, 2016The bulletin states a normal function of the headlight switch and how to fix but not replace. Dealer is to advise customer on why the headlight switch presses in.
- 10120050May 21, 2015Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 94 number 12-96 dated November 1, 2012. Part or all of the daytime running lights do not work on vehicles equipped with LED daytime…
- 10120003Apr 17, 2015Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 94 number 12-92 dated October 24, 2012. Condensation is visible on the inside of the headlight, taillight, fog light, side marker…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2015 | 2 | 11% |
| 2014 | 1 | 3% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 11 | 6% |
| 2007 | 8 | 4% |
| 2006 | 159 | 54% |
| 2005 | 101 | 46% |
| 2004 | 14 | 7% |
| 2003 | 23 | 11% |
| 2002 | 17 | 9% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 2 | 2% |
| 1999 | 4 | 2% |
| 1998 | 5 | 2% |
| 1997 | 3 | 3% |
| 1996 | 5 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2008 Audi A4
116 complaintsEngine
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsTires
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Audi A4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology