Owners have filed 10 complaints
about the 2008 Audi A8 with NHTSA between 2010 and 2019.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 14 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 22
Against the median year of the Audi A8. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
30% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2008 Audi A8
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
330.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 77,559 mi
Acceleration & Cruise Control
220.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 36,200 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
220.0%
Median failure at 47,799 miles
Body & Structure
110.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 55,118 mi
Brakes
110.0%
Engine & Cooling
110.0%
Median failure at 119,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
233.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
233.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
233.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Sep 2010peak 2Dec 2019
Recalls on the 2008 Audi A8
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20162877 units in Canada
Accessories
On certain vehicles, the glass panel of the sunroof may not have been properly bonded to the sunroof frame. This could allow the glass panel to separate from the vehicle while driving, creating a road hazard which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will apply additional adhesive between the sunroof frame and glass panel.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 55,118 milesMableton, GACrash
AIR BAGS
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 A TOTAL LOSS. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT A FULL SIZE PREMIUM SEDAN SHOULD SUFFER CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE FRAME AT A LOW SPEED COLLISION. A HIGH SPEED COLLISION WOULD HAVE PROVIDED NO PROTECTION TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE. MULTIPLE CONTACTS MADE WITH AUDI USA VIA UPS LETTER, EMAIL, TELEPHONE, TWITTER AND FACEBOOK. AUDI USA REFUSES TO PROVIDE ANY CRASH TEST DATA ON THE A8 WHICH IS VERY CONCERNING. I REQUEST THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE IF THIS CAR IS SAFE.
NHTSA complaint #10513552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,118 milesMableton, GACrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
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 A TOTAL LOSS. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT A FULL SIZE PREMIUM SEDAN SHOULD SUFFER CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE FRAME AT A LOW SPEED COLLISION. A HIGH SPEED COLLISION WOULD HAVE PROVIDED NO PROTECTION TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE. MULTIPLE CONTACTS MADE WITH AUDI USA VIA UPS LETTER, EMAIL, TELEPHONE, TWITTER AND FACEBOOK. AUDI USA REFUSES TO PROVIDE ANY CRASH TEST DATA ON THE A8 WHICH IS VERY CONCERNING. I REQUEST THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE IF THIS CAR IS SAFE.
NHTSA complaint #10513552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,200 milesCranford, NJCrash
VEHICLE 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. I ALWAYS LIKED THE CAR AND IF I DON'T DRIVE IT AGAIN I COULD NOT IN GOOD CONSCIOUS SELL IT TO SOMEONE ELSE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW ANYTHING THAT COULD HELP ME WITH THIS SITUATION. THANKS BOB (CONTACT WANTED THIS COMPLAINTED COPY AND PASTED INTO THE COMPLAINT FORM)
NHTSA complaint #10358339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 119,000 milesAntioch, CA
ENGINE
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 RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES WITH AN ABNORMAL VACUUM NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,000.
NHTSA complaint #11287905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesCrestline, CA
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,799 milesHoffman Estates, IL
POWER TRAIN
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
NHTSA complaint #11057729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Natick, MA
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?
NHTSA complaint #11040627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hoffman Estates, IL
POWER TRAIN
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
NHTSA complaint #10934464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, MN
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.
NHTSA complaint #10905010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, MN
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10905010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,118 milesMableton, GACrash
AIR BAGS
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 A TOTAL LOSS. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT A FULL SIZE PREMIUM SEDAN SHOULD SUFFER CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE FRAME AT A LOW SPEED COLLISION. A HIGH SPEED COLLISION WOULD HAVE PROVIDED NO PROTECTION TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE. MULTIPLE CONTACTS MADE WITH AUDI USA VIA UPS LETTER, EMAIL, TELEPHONE, TWITTER AND FACEBOOK. AUDI USA REFUSES TO PROVIDE ANY CRASH TEST DATA ON THE A8 WHICH IS VERY CONCERNING. I REQUEST THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE IF THIS CAR IS SAFE.
NHTSA complaint #10513552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,118 milesMableton, GACrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
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 A TOTAL LOSS. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT A FULL SIZE PREMIUM SEDAN SHOULD SUFFER CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE FRAME AT A LOW SPEED COLLISION. A HIGH SPEED COLLISION WOULD HAVE PROVIDED NO PROTECTION TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE. MULTIPLE CONTACTS MADE WITH AUDI USA VIA UPS LETTER, EMAIL, TELEPHONE, TWITTER AND FACEBOOK. AUDI USA REFUSES TO PROVIDE ANY CRASH TEST DATA ON THE A8 WHICH IS VERY CONCERNING. I REQUEST THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE IF THIS CAR IS SAFE.
NHTSA complaint #10513552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,200 milesCranford, NJCrash
VEHICLE 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. I ALWAYS LIKED THE CAR AND IF I DON'T DRIVE IT AGAIN I COULD NOT IN GOOD CONSCIOUS SELL IT TO SOMEONE ELSE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW ANYTHING THAT COULD HELP ME WITH THIS SITUATION. THANKS BOB (CONTACT WANTED THIS COMPLAINTED COPY AND PASTED INTO THE COMPLAINT FORM)
NHTSA complaint #10358339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.