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Audi A8Model year report

2009 Audi A8 Problems

Complaints
5filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
7,212miles, 4 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 2009 Audi A8 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2009 Audi A8. The part named most often is electrical system, with 1 complaints (20% of the total), followed by electronic stability control (1) and engine cooling (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 75% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 7,212 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 453 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 83 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electronic stability control complaints overlap with 2 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

Electrical system: “1: My passenger door sensitive door closing sensor is not working 2: my sunroof is off track and makes noises 3: battery cord is corroded. There is no where in the world to get 1 right now apparently. I bought a brand new battery and car still doesn’t pull energy from the battery so I’m scared the car won’t start very soon”

NHTSA complaint #11419727, filed 2021-06

Engine cooling: “The contact owns a 2009 Audi A8. When he turned the vehicle on the engine began vibrating and whenever the contact began to slow down the vehicle the transmission shifted to a lower gear and then surged forward. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on 4 occasions and each time they were unable to diagnose the failure. The failure has occurred since the vehicle was purchased. The current and failure mileages were 9033.”

NHTSA complaint #10280964, filed 2009-08, 9,033 miles

Exterior lighting: “Multiple component failures relative to tail light assemblies. Both trunk mounted tail light assemblies were replace in 12/11 under manufacturers warranty. Sealed tail light assemblies were not water tight which caused failure of circuit boards and LED lights. One of the two replacement units has also failed again (18 mo. In service and 6000 miles) lights have failed in this unit as well, causing potential hazard due to lack of illumination experienced identical failure on my 2007 Audi s8 which is the same chassis platform as the vehicle above. …”

NHTSA complaint #10578903, filed 2014-04, 5,390 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

75% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 5,390 and 9,033 miles.

75%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–10025%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (4 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 7,212 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

20092201420212025
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 2009 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 automatic162318$4,550
A8 L 4WD/AWD4.2L 8-cyl6-speed automatic162318$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 2009 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. 453 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 453 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 2009 Audi A8 have?

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2009 Audi A8 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Audi A8 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 1 complaints (20% of the total), followed by electronic stability control with 1.

Has the 2009 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 2009 Audi A8 get?

The EPA rates the 2009 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 2009 Audi A8 reported?

Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 7,212 miles and the middle half falls between 5,390 and 9,033 miles; 75% 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.