2008 Audi A5 Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 46,300miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl 4WD/AWD · 18 city / 27 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Audi A5 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2008 Audi A5. The part named most often is air bags, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and electrical system (2). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 46,300 miles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 487 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the sensor/control module-inactive and 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 31 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags2 40%
- Brakes2 40%
- Electrical system2 40%
- Exterior lighting1 20%
- Other or unknown1 20%
Example complaints
Air bags: “Takata recall on may 23, 2016, my Audi A5 was recalled. Safety risk was claimed to be if the airbag control unit fails, safety systems such as seat belt pretensioners and airbags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury. 6 months later, the recall is incomplete. Remedy not yet available I am trying to trade in my vehicle, but the dealer says the lack of recall fix will negatively impact the value of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10918080, filed 2016-10Brakes: “The contact owns a 2008 Audi A5. The contact stated that the driver's side air bag sensor and the parking brake warning light was illuminated. In addition, the horn had failed. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic, who determined that the defects were all caused by a faulty steering wheel spring column. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10563988, filed 2014-02, 35,000 milesElectrical system: “2008 Audi A5 3.2L S-Line Coupe experiencing severe water intrusion into trunk compartment causing progressive failure of multiple electronic modules. Water enters through a known design defect in the trunk seal and drainage pathway, pooling in the spare tire well where critical electronic control modules are mounted. Affected systems: (1) Complete audio and entertainment system failure due to amplifier module destroyed by water damage. (2) Electronic parking brake malfunction with brake failing to engage and disengage reliably, creating serious rollaway risk on inclines. …”
NHTSA complaint #11731285, filed 2026-04Exterior lighting: “Main beam/left dipped headlight warning came on. Second time dealing with this problem and have read that audis are notorious for the same issue but nothing has been done to correct it. Having bulb replaced is costing 360.00 at the Audi service department. Something must be done to rectify this problem. A factory recall should be ordered. Thank you”
NHTSA complaint #10546793, filed 2013-10, 46,300 milesMileage when problems were reported
67% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 35,000 and 100,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2008 Audi A5 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A5 quattro 4WD/AWD | 3.2L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,900 |
| A5 quattro 4WD/AWD | 3.2L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | 16 | 27 | 20 | $4,100 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 16V376000May 27, 2016Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactiveCovers: Audi A5 2008–2009, A4 2008–2009, Q5 2008–2009
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Audi A4, A5, and Q5 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.
Recall details for the 2008 Audi A5 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 487 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10250555Feb 19, 2024Steering, Other or unknown. This bulletin contains repair information for when there is a creaking/squeaking from the steering column when steering slowly.
- 10250554Feb 19, 2024Other or unknown, Steering. This bulletin provides information for when the steering column adjustment does not work.
- 10250322Feb 7, 2024Equipment. This bulletin provides information pertaining to MMI Navigation database concerns.
- 10248208Dec 21, 2023Electrical system. This bulletin provides information when the parking assistance provides false warnings.
- 10246152Nov 16, 2023Electrical system. This bulletin provides general information about the outside air temperature reading.
- 10245285Nov 7, 2023Equipment. This bulletin provides information on the VAS 611 015 PICO-NVH tool for professional noise analysis.
- 10244595Oct 30, 2023Exterior lighting. This bulletin provides information pertaining to when there are foreign objects inside of a headlight or taillight.
- 10244517Oct 25, 2023Equipment. This bulletin provides damage assessment guidelines for textile seat covers.
- 10244320Oct 13, 2023Electrical system, Equipment. This bulletin provides information for when unauthorized/unjustified DTC memory entries are captured in ODIS test Plans (Ghost faults).
- 10243930Oct 4, 2023Equipment. This bulletin provides information on the additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries.
Other model years of the Audi A5
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | 881 | 2 | — | 26 | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 8 | 19,748 | 0 | 5 | 27 | — | Too new |
| 2023 | 8 | — | 0 | — | 27 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 7 | — | 2 | — | 27 | — | Not enough data |
| 2021 | 8 | 30,148 | 5 | 5 | 27 | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 60 | 67,000 | 4 | 5 | 27 | 78 · More | Rising |
| 2019 | 12 | 15,000 | 3 | 5 | 27 | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 38 | 7,000 | 6 | 5 | 27 | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2016 | 7 | 35,000 | 3 | — | 26 | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 8 | 25,000 | 3 | — | 26 | — | Not enough data |
| 2014 | 28 | 60,000 | 3 | — | 26 | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2013 | 35 | 50,250 | 3 | — | 24 | 64 · Typical | Stable |
| 2012 | 22 | 75,000 | 0 | — | 25 | — | Falling |
| 2011 | 25 | 66,574 | 0 | — | 25 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2010 | 34 | 64,224 | 0 | — | 23 | 29 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 11 | 45,000 | 1 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 5 | 46,300 | 1 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
All Audi A5 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Audi A5 have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2008 Audi A5 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2008 Audi A5 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.
Has the 2008 Audi A5 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Audi A5 get?
The EPA rates the 2008 Audi A5 (A5 quattro, 3.2L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Audi A5 reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 46,300 miles and the middle half falls between 35,000 and 100,000 miles; 67% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.