Audi A8 problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 8 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Limited NHTSA data — only 8 complaints on file. The score reflects what's reported, but a small sample skews easily.
Only 8 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data.
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 1 category with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
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…
Automatic transmission going into fail safe mode during driving around 4,5,6 gears when going around 70+ MPH and release gas pedal and applying gas again in order to pass vehicle. Car goes into fail safe mode, needs to be pulled over to restart and reset transmission. Car was…
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…
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?
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2008 Audi A8 reliable?
Limited NHTSA data. Only 8 owner complaints have been filed for the 2008 Audi A8, which is not enough for a meaningful reliability score. Active recalls (if any) are listed on this page and remain authoritative — those are verified defects regardless of complaint volume. For a confident reliability read we look for at least 10 owner complaints in the federal database.
Should you avoid the 2008 Audi A8?
Only 8 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data. We don't issue a buy/avoid verdict on the 2008 Audi A8 without a meaningful complaint sample — doing so off a handful of filings would be guesswork.
What should I check before buying a used 2008 Audi A8?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on the 2008 Audi A8 to flag a standout failure pattern. Run the VIN for open recalls — those are free to fix regardless of warranty — get a standard pre-purchase inspection, and ask the seller for service records.
Is the 2008 Audi A8 a good used car to buy?
Hard to say from federal data alone — only 8 owner complaints have been filed. Lean on the recall list above, a pre-purchase inspection, and a vehicle-history report on the specific VIN. Our data tells you what the model is known for; a history report tells you what that exact car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2008 Audi A8?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 3 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 77,559 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 77,559 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Audi A8 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2008 Audi A8?
Hard to say from NHTSA data alone with only 8 complaints on file. A quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. The decision comes down to your specific situation: vehicle cost, miles on it, how long you plan to keep it, and whether you can absorb a $3K–$8K repair without straining cashflow. With limited public data on this vehicle, lean on the recall list above and check owner forums before committing.