Model year guide

2008 Audi A3

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2008 Audi A3 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 18 on record.

2008 Audi A3 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2008 Audi A3 at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints43
Combined25 mpg
Typical price$8,234

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2008 Audi A3 recalls 3

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #18V082000 · 30/01/2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This rec…

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #16V079000 · 10/02/2016

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2006 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons, 2005-2013 Audi A3, and 2006-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly NHTSA Campaign #09V377000 · 30/09/2009

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 AUDI A3, TT, AND TT ROADSTER PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 29, 2005 AND AUGUST 26, 2009. THE CLOSING FORCE OF AN INTERNAL SPRING OF THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE IS NOT ADEQUATE ENOUGH TO HOLD THE VALVE CLOSED UNDER EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS POSSIBLY ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK.

Fix: VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AUDI DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE WITH AN IMPROVED VALVE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-253-2834.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2008 Audi A3 common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

2008 Audi A3 MPG & running costs

Combined25 mpg
City21 mpg
Highway29 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,100

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2008 Audi A3 worth?

Low
$5,690
Typical price
$8,234
High
$11,000

From 18 comparable 2008 Audi A3 listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2008 Audi A3 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$15,500
Fuel only$15,500
Per mile$0.21

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2008 Audi A3 trims & engines on record

Trims
2.0T PZEV · w/ Premium Pkg · 2.0T
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl 200 hp

2008 Audi A3 vehicles on record

2008 Audi A3 2008 Audi A3 2.0T PZEVWAUHF78P98A193540 2008 Audi A3 2008 Audi A3 2.0T PZEVWAUHE78P78A196732 2008 Audi A3 2008 Audi A3 2.0T PZEVWAUNF78PX8A056447 2008 Audi A3 2.0T PZEVWAUNF78P78A010137 2008 Audi A3 2008 Audi A3 2.0T PZEVWAUHF78P78A106220 2008 Audi A3 2008 Audi A3 2.0T PZEVWAUNF78P98A005232 2008 Audi A3 2008 Audi A3 2.0TWAUHF78P58A127292 2008 Audi A3 2008 Audi A3 2.0T PZEVWAUHF78P78A134194 2008 Audi A3 2008 Audi A3 2.0T PZEVWAUHF78P98A029768 2008 Audi A3 2008 Audi A3 2.0T PZEVWAUNF98P48A098320 2008 Audi A3 2008 Audi A3 2.0T PZEVWAUNF78P38A093338 2008 Audi A3 2008 Audi A3 2.0T PZEVWAUNF78P38A115404 2008 Audi A3 2008 Audi A3 2.0T PZEVWAUHF78P58A102215 2008 Audi A3 2008 Audi A3 w/ Premium PkgWAUNF78PX8A020712 2008 Audi A3 2008 Audi A3 w/ Premium PkgWAUNF78P88A159530 2008 Audi A3WAUHF78P28A012665 2008 Audi A3WAUHF78P98A197118 2008 Audi A3 2008 Audi A3WAUHF78P78A123017

Other Audi A3 model years

2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2007 2006

2008 Audi A3 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Audi A3 have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2008 Audi A3. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Audi A3?

Based on 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, electrical system, fuel/propulsion system.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Audi A3 get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2008 Audi A3 at about 25 mpg combined (21 city / 29 highway).

How much is a 2008 Audi A3 worth?

Comparable 2008 Audi A3 listings run roughly $5,690–$11,000, typically around $8,234 (from 18 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.