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Audi A8Model year report

2005 Audi A8 Problems

Complaints
6filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
12,000miles, 5 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
18 mpgcombined, 4.2L 8-cyl 4WD/AWD · 16 city / 22 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2005 Audi A8 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2005 Audi A8. The part named most often is vehicle speed control, with 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by equipment (2) and brakes (1). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 80% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 12,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 242 technical service bulletins for this model year. Vehicle speed control complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Equipment complaints overlap with 80 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.

Example complaints

Vehicle speed control: “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 but told them they should check into the problem because of the safety issue but did not receive a positive response. I feel the problem should be researched and I would like feed back on any information that would result from the research.”

NHTSA complaint #10606131, filed 2014-06, 73,000 miles

Equipment: “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. This situation has occurred at least seven times to three separate drivers over the past two years. …”

NHTSA complaint #10301865, filed 2010-01, 27,813 miles

Electrical system: “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 liquid which spilled in the back seat, ran down into the seat, and came into contact with the tire pressure monitoring control module. The dealer replaced the tire pressure monitoring control module, steering wheel and lock. Updated 10/25/2006 -”

NHTSA complaint #10169319, filed 2006-09, 12,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

80% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 12,000 and 27,813 miles.

0%0–1060%10–2520%25–5020%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (5 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 12,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

200622007220102014
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2005 Audi A8 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
A8 4WD/AWD4.2L 8-cyl6-speed automatic162218$4,550
A8 L 4WD/AWD4.2L 8-cyl6-speed automatic162218$4,550
A8 L 4WD/AWD6.0L 12-cyl6-speed automatic131915$5,500

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

Recall details for the 2005 Audi A8 → · 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. 242 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 242 bulletins →

Other model years of the Audi A8

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20215—10—21—Not enough data
20191424,5263—22—Not enough data
2017851,0003—22—Not enough data
20161143,5004—22—Not enough data
20153148,0005—22Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20141857,5345—21—Falling
20135062,5006—21Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20121179,6281—21—Not enough data
20111581,5001—21—Falling
200957,2121—18—Not enough data
2008855,1181—18—Not enough data
2006644,0002—18—Not enough data
2005612,0001—18—Not enough data
20042028,0001—18—Stable
2001686,0002—18—Not enough data
1999961,4044—18—Not enough data
19971069,0002—18—Not enough data

All Audi A8 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005 Audi A8 have?

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2005 Audi A8 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2005 Audi A8 is reported most often?

Vehicle speed control is named most often, in 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by equipment with 2.

Has the 2005 Audi A8 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 2005 Audi A8 get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Audi A8 (A8, 4.2L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2005 Audi A8 reported?

Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 12,000 miles and the middle half falls between 12,000 and 27,813 miles; 80% 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.