Most common 2008 Audi A8 problems
Share of the 8 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 →
2008 Audi A8 recalls (1)
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
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 car while driving.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install additional adhesive between the sunroof glass and frame, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in August 4, 2016.
What 2008 Audi A8 owners say
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.
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.
2008 Audi A8 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 23 / 18 |
| 6.0L 12-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 19 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Audi A8 a good car?
Based on 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 A8 rates average: 33% fewer complaints than a typical year of the A8 at the same age. 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 2008 Audi A8?
The air bags — 3 complaints, 38% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the speed control & acceleration (2) and transmission & drivetrain (2).
How many recalls does the 2008 Audi A8 have?
There is 1 recall for the 2008 Audi A8, the most recent from June 9, 2016 (sun/moon roof assembly). 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 2008 Audi A8 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 55,000 miles; 40% 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.