2008 Audi A8 Problems
- Complaints
- 8filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 55,118miles, 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 / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Audi A8 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2008 Audi A8. The part named most often is air bags, with 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (2) and vehicle speed control (2). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 40% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 55,118 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 382 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 12 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 bags3 38%
- Brakes1 13%
- Engine1 13%
- Body and structure1 13%
Example complaints
Air bags: “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 and cause heavy damage and possibly death to the people in the car. In some cases it seems the airbags will not work at all because of possible heat ruining the parts the cause the airbag to work.”
NHTSA complaint #11099573, filed 2018-06, 100,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “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 said it is past warranty. By doing an independent research, it was found that there is one single teflon seal controlling fluid pressure for a clutch e.that seal wears out prematurely causing fluid to loose pressure and failing safe transmission. …”
NHTSA complaint #11057729, filed 2017-12, 47,799 milesVehicle speed control: “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 this to happen to anyone else and I do not know if I should escalate this issue somewhere else. I am also concerned about driving it again after it is repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #10358339, filed 2010-09, 36,200 milesBrakes: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10905010, filed 2016-09Mileage when problems were reported
40% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 47,799 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 A8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A8 4WD/AWD | 4.2L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 16 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
| A8 L 4WD/AWD | 4.2L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 16 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
| A8 L 4WD/AWD | 6.0L 12-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 13 | 19 | 15 | $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
- 16V415000Jun 9, 2016Visibility › Sun/moon roof assemblyCovers: Audi A8 2007–2009, S8 2007–2009
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…
Recall details for the 2008 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. 382 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11002234May 17, 2024Body and structure. This bulletin provides information when the exterior trunk handle is inoperative.
- 11002134May 17, 2024Body and structure. This bulletin provides information when the exterior trunk handle is inoperative.
- 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 A8
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5 | — | 10 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2019 | 14 | 24,526 | 3 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 8 | 51,000 | 3 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 11 | 43,500 | 4 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 31 | 48,000 | 5 | — | 22 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2014 | 18 | 57,534 | 5 | — | 21 | — | Falling |
| 2013 | 50 | 62,500 | 6 | — | 21 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2012 | 11 | 79,628 | 1 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 15 | 81,500 | 1 | — | 21 | — | Falling |
| 2009 | 5 | 7,212 | 1 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 8 | 55,118 | 1 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 6 | 44,000 | 2 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 6 | 12,000 | 1 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 20 | 28,000 | 1 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 2001 | 6 | 86,000 | 2 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 9 | 61,404 | 4 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 10 | 69,000 | 2 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Audi A8 have?
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2008 Audi A8 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2008 Audi A8 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 2.
Has the 2008 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 2008 Audi A8 get?
The EPA rates the 2008 Audi A8 (A8, 4.2L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 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 2008 Audi A8 reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 55,118 miles and the middle half falls between 47,799 and 100,000 miles; 40% 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.