2008 Audi A8 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (2) · Power Train (2) · Air Bags (2)
🧭 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 (1)
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2016-06-09 · campaign 16V415000 · 536 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Audi A8 and S8 vehicles. The sunroof glass on the affected vehicles may not be properly secured to the sunroof frame. As a result, the sunroof glass may detach from the car while driving.
Risk: If the glass detaches from the sunroof frame it could be come a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install additional adhesive between the sunroof glass and frame, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in August 4, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 60C3.
Service bulletins (382)
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.
Structure:body 2024-05-17 · A5724422025031_3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when the exterior trunk handle is inoperative.
Structure:body 2024-05-17 · A5724422025031_3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when the exterior trunk handle is inoperative.
Equipment:electrical:navigational System(Global Positioning System) 2024-02-07 · A9124632044694_3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information pertaining to mmi navigation database concerns.
Electrical System:adas:parking Assist:software 2023-12-21 · A912306202432310 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when the parking assistance provides false warnings.
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel 2023-11-16 · A9023562032113_8 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides general information about the outside air temperature reading.
Equipment 2023-11-07 · A0023812070568_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information on the vas 611 015 pico-nvh tool for professional noise analysis.
Showing the 6 most recent of 382 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-12-09 · Engine · 119,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 audi a8. while the vehicle was in use, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. the vehicle was taken to audi pittsburgh (2050 liberty ave, pittsburgh, pa 15222, (412) 245-4200) where it was diagnosed that the massive air flow sensors failed and needed to be replaced. the vehicle was replaced, but the failure recu…”
2018-06-04 · Air Bags · 100,000 mi“takata recall - i just received work online through credit karma that my car has a recall on it dating back towards 2016. i financed this car in 2015. the car has been fine, for the most part aside from small electrical issues.. however my biggest complaint says this recall is because the airbags are prone to exploding causing metal shrapnel to fly…”
2017-12-31 · Power Train · 47,799 mi“i own a 2008 audi a8 with about 48200 miles. it is great vehicle but having problems with transmission during driving. under load it will go in fail safe mode around 4,5,6 gears. it is causing dangerous situations as car starts stopping suddenly and causing driver momentarily loose control of a vehicle. this iissue was brought up to a audi but they…”
2017-10-27 · Air Bags“takata recall. my passenger airbag was recalled in january, 2017. ten months have passed with no replacement part or solution and was insteucted not to have passengers in the front seat. how long am i supposed to wait?…”
2016-12-10 · Power Train“automatic transmission going into fail safe mode during driving around 4,5,6 gears when going around 70+ mph and release gas pedal and applying gas again in order to pass vehicle. car goes into fail safe mode, needs to be pulled over to restart and reset transmission. car was taken to a audi dealer for an inspection and by technician at fluid level…”
2016-09-09 · Vehicle Speed Control“tl* the contact owns a 2008 audi a8. the contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to accelerate and the brake pedal failed to respond when depressed. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. the manufacturer was not notified. the vin and failure mileage were not available.…”
2013-05-25 · Structure:body · 55,118 mi · 💥 crash“the 2008 audi a8l was involved in a rolling rear-end collision while starting to move at a stop sign. velocity was less than 5 mph. minor collision with no deployment of airbags and no damage to the car ahead. the a8l drove normally after the collision. inspection at the body shop revealed stress fracture and bending of the frame. car was declared …”
2010-09-29 · Vehicle Speed Control · 36,200 mi · 💥 crash“tl. hi, this morning i was involved in an accident when my 2008 audi a8l suddenly accelerated out of control as i was entering a parking garage. thankfully it appears no one was injured. i am extremely disturbed by this incident. i have also contacted audi usa. is thus a known problem with this car? please let me know what i should do. i don't want…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.