2005 Audi A8 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (2) · Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control (1) · Structure (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Audi A8 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (245)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-10-04 · A0023742052680_4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information on the additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries.
Electrical System:adas:parking Assist:warning 2022-02-07 · A9122752024323_9 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin contains technical information regarding when the parking aid sporadically warns of obstacles that don't exist or it is inoperative/constant warning.
Wheels 2021-12-22 · A4021312024318_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin provides instructions for correcting a clicking sound from the wheel bearing(s).
Structure 2021-06-25 · A0021482021205_6 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this informational bulletin explains how to order replacement vin plates, safety certification labels, etc.
Parking Brake:electrical:control Module 2021-01-25 · A9121642024323_7 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin contains technical information regarding when the parking aid sporadically warns of obstacles that don't exist or it is inoperative/constant warning.
Equipment 2020-12-18 · SM C-2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this special notice is to inform dealers to return the part numbers listed (state of california only).
Showing the 6 most recent of 245 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2014-06-26 · Vehicle Speed Control · 73,000 mi“adaptive module j428 failed and brakes seized while vehicle was in motion.. audi customer service said that since they could not find a recall and the vehicle was nine years old they thought it was not their problem. i think the problem could have e resulted in a serious accident at high speeds and could have killed me. i paid for the repair…”
2010-01-22 · Equipment · 27,813 mi“my 2005 audi a8l contains a defect which allows the driver's floor mat to pop off it's restraining/locating pegs enabling the mat to move forward and push and hold the accelerator pedal down, resulting runaway acceleration, this seems to be a problem similar to what toyota owners have experienced and for which toyota has instituted a large recall.…”
2007-04-16 · Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control · 10,000 mi“tl*the contact owns a 2005 audi a8. while driving 70 mph with the cruise control activated the contact heard a bell sound and the cruise control failed. the vehicle decelerated, but did not shut off. the vehicle was taken to a dealer approximately ten times, but the cause of failure could not be determined. the dealer stated that the failure …”
2007-01-09 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 🔥 fire“owner was driving the audi home when he smelled something burning. he pulled over and observed a fire in the engine compartment. fire burned with greatest intensity in lower left rear of engine compartment, from location of left side catalytic converter. spark plugs removed from engine showed overfueling problem in #6 and #8 cylinders on left bank,…”
2006-09-26 · Structure · 12,000 mi“dt*: the contact stated while driving 10 mph and preparing to stop at a traffic light, the steering wheel locked, the emergency brake engaged and the warning lights on the dash illuminated. the vehicle was unable to be maneuvered off the road and was towed to the dealer, who determined the entire computer system failed. the failure was due to liq…”
2006-03-20 · Vehicle Speed Control · 12,000 mi“dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was traveling 40 mph the accelerator pedal was released. the vehicle accelerated on its own. the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle stopped. the dealership was unable to determine a problem. a second time, while driving 70 mph, the accelerator pedal was released and the vehicle accelerated to 10…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.