Most common 2004 Audi A8 problems
Share of the 20 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Audi A8 complaints by model year
Best A8 years: 2018, 2022, 2009. Years to avoid: 2013, 2015, 2019, 2014, 2004. Compare all years →
2004 Audi A8 recalls (1)
Air bags › Frontal
On certain passenger vehicles, during production of the driver's frontal air bag, the air bag May not unfold properly in the event of a crash and therefore May not inflate as designed.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new driver's frontal air bag free of charge. The recall began on October 6, 2006. Owners May contact Audi at 1-800-822-2834.
What 2004 Audi A8 owners say
Windows, wipers & sunroof
2004 Audi a8l, purchased in 07/2004. Front wipers "hesitated" in the rain a couple of times. Local dealer said could not reproduce. A few months later, wipers completely stopped, while driving at highway speeds, leaving me without visibility for several minutes. Pulled over and removed/replaced fused. Wipers started up again. Local dealer said couldn't reproduce. Wipers failed two more times, and hesitated numerous other times, when I finally decided to not drive the car. Throughout all, dealer claims he's unable to reproduce the problem, Audi America disclaims all liability for accidents from wiper-failure. Car was garaged as unsafe to drive for the remaining 17 months of the lease. Just this week I found out that Audi Germany knows about this problem, and has redesigned the wiper-motor before 02/2004. …
Dt: the contact stated a gallon of milk spilled into the driver's seat. The milk spilled underneath the seat. When this happened it shorted out the electrical module that operated the dashboard lights and headlights. As a result the lights were blinking in and out. Currently, the vehicle is at a certified dealership for repairs. Updated 12/27/2005 - the tire pressure monitoring light illuminated on the dash. The dealer replaced the module. The trunk would not close properly.
Speed control & acceleration
While driving and/or parking and/or putting key in ignition to start my vehicle ABS light; stabilization; and speedometer seems as though being hacked...sometimes especially in the summer when temperatures reach 100 degrees + my heater is hacked on and my interior of the vehicle is life threatening hot!!! Have to open windows to 100 degrees temperature outside...my interior lights just come on and drain my battery....and my sound system flips open and music plays when im in my house and has shut off my car and while driving my sound system comes on and my radio is remotely controlled---hacked because my stations are switched ie. …
Dt: the contact stated vehicle has accelerated on its own twice. The first time it took off he had to put in neutral and coast into a parking lot. The vehicle was put in drive and moved out of the main part of the parking lot. The vehicle was put back into neutral and turned off. It was towed to the dealership. They could not duplicate the problem. This happened again approximately 18 months later. He drove in driveway and put the vehicle in neutral to pick up the paper. The vehicle accelerated and he turned it around. The contact stood on the brakes and coasted to the end of the driveway. The vehicle was towed to the dealership. They could not duplicate the problem. The dealership cleaned debris away from the accelerator, and said the rug May have been stuck.
Brakes
Driver smelled smoke shortly after starting his vehicle and driving away from his home. The smell was of plastic, and it was assumed from an electrical short/fire. The driver stopped the car and inspected the engine area. No evidence of fire, however the driver turned back and drove the vehicle home. Strong burning plastic smell again as the vehicle was stopped. The cabin was filling with smoke. Driver opened the trunk as the battery was located in the right rear section of the trunk. Smoke was emanating from the battery compartment. A plastic panel was removed for inspection. Located directly under the battery was a plastic module identified as trw *334 gnoacdobnc28u* and stamped made in malaysia??. The dealer stated that the module controls the electric parking brake for the car. …
While driving and/or parking and/or putting key in ignition to start my vehicle ABS light; stabilization; and speedometer seems as though being hacked...sometimes especially in the summer when temperatures reach 100 degrees + my heater is hacked on and my interior of the vehicle is life threatening hot!!! Have to open windows to 100 degrees temperature outside...my interior lights just come on and drain my battery....and my sound system flips open and music plays when im in my house and has shut off my car and while driving my sound system comes on and my radio is remotely controlled---hacked because my stations are switched ie. …
2004 Audi A8 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Audi A8 a good car?
Based on 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 A8 rates use caution: 2.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the A8 at the same age. It is one of the A8 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Audi A8?
The windows, wipers & sunroof — 6 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year, most often about power window devices and controls. Next are the speed control & acceleration (5) and brakes (4).
How many recalls does the 2004 Audi A8 have?
There is 1 recall for the 2004 Audi A8, the most recent from August 31, 2006 (frontal). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Audi A8?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2018, 2022 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2013, 2015, 2019, 2014 and 2004. See the full Audi A8 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 Audi A8 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 28,000 miles; 55% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.