- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Loss of frontal air bag deployment could occur which can increase the risk of injury in a frontal crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2005 Audi A8 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2005 Audi A8 with NHTSA, most often about the acceleration & cruise control (3) and the equipment & accessories (2). Those complaints describe 1 fire. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in August 2006 for the frontal. For comparison, the 2004 has 0 and the 2006 has 6.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical A8 year, for its age
#244 most complained-about 2005 vehicle
- Complaints
- 6
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2005 Audi A8 problems
Share of all 6 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2005 Audi A8 recalls 1
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
What owners say
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6 complaints about the 2005 Audi A8
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Adaptive module j428 failed and brakes seized while vehicle was in motion.. Audi customer service said that since they could not find a recall and the vehicle was nine years old they thought it was not their problem. I think the problem could have e resulted in a serious accident at high speeds and could have killed me. I paid for the repair but told them they should check into the problem because of the safety issue but did not receive a positive response. I feel the problem should be researched and I would like feed back on any information that would result from the research. *Tr
My 2005 audi a8l contains a defect which allows the driver's floor mat to pop off it's restraining/locating pegs enabling the mat to move forward and push and hold the accelerator pedal down, resulting runaway acceleration, this seems to be a problem similar to what toyota owners have experienced and for which toyota has instituted a large recall. This situation has occurred at least seven times to three separate drivers over the past two years. At the first occurrence to each me and my wife, we were able to...
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control the acceleration with the brake to buy sufficient time to gather our wits and shut off the engine, though it was scary. Now we know to apply the brake and pull the mat back, replacing it on its pegs once we stop. After the first occasion, I took the vehicle to my local audi dealer in danbury, conn. They kept it for three days, had it inspected by "corporate" people, and in writing concluded that everything was "operating as designed and intended." The service writer at the danbury audi dealer told me that audi felt the problem was the floor mat, and suggested I purchase heavy winter-type mats. I renewed my complaint to audi in the fall of 2009 in light of the toyota issue, but they again denied there was anything wrong with the vehicle. Between the first and second complaint, we experienced at least five more episodes of runaway acceleration caused by the floor mat pushing against the accelerator. I try to be vigilant now each time I drive the car to look at the position of the floor mat. *Tr
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 audi a8. While driving 70 mph with the cruise control activated the contact heard a bell sound and the cruise control failed. The vehicle decelerated, but did not shut off. The vehicle was taken to a dealer approximately ten times, but the cause of failure could not be determined. The dealer stated that the failure was a normal characteristic of the vehicle. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current mileage was 23,800, and failure mileage was 10,000. *Ak update 05/04/07*tr
Owner was driving the audi home when he smelled something burning. He pulled over and observed a fire in the engine compartment. Fire burned with greatest intensity in lower left rear of engine compartment, from location of left side catalytic converter. Spark plugs removed from engine showed overfueling problem in #6 and #8 cylinders on left bank, causing catalytic converter to overheat and start the fire. *Nm
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 10 mph and preparing to stop at a traffic light, the steering wheel locked, the emergency brake engaged and the warning lights on the dash illuminated. The vehicle was unable to be maneuvered off the road and was towed to the dealer, who determined the entire computer system failed. The failure was due to liquid which spilled in the back seat, ran down into the seat, and came into contact with the tire pressure monitoring control module. The dealer replaced the tire pressure monitoring control module, steering wheel and lock. Updated 10/25/2006 - *nm
Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was traveling 40 mph the accelerator pedal was released. The vehicle accelerated on its own. The brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle stopped. The dealership was unable to determine a problem. A second time, while driving 70 mph, the accelerator pedal was released and the vehicle accelerated to 100 mph. The brake pedal was applied and the vehicle slowed to 70 mph then the vehicle sped up again. The contact used the parking brake to slow the vehicle to 45 mph,...
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and then applied both feet to the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. Once at a stop, the vehicle was put in neutral and the rpm's red lined. The vehicle was then put in park and the engine continued to rev. The dealership was called to tow the vehicle, but there would be an hour wait. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealership, but the dealership is unable to determine a problem. The manufacturer has sent a representative for further inspection. Updated 4/11/2006 - the tire pressure monitoring system was inoperative. The trunk failed intermittently. *Nm
Audi A8: every year compared
All A8 years2005 Audi A8 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Audi A8 | 6 | 1 | B | |
| 2005 Audi A4/S4 Cabriolet | 262 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 2005 Audi A4 | 219 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 2005 Audi A6 Sedan | 91 | 0 | D | Compare |
| 2005 Audi S4 | 43 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 2005 Audi TT | 11 | 1 | D | Compare |
| 2005 Audi Allroad | 3 | 2 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2005 Audi A8
Does the 2005 Audi A8 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2005 Audi A8: frontal (August 2006). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Audi A8?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the acceleration & cruise control (3), equipment & accessories (2), body, doors & structure (2).
How many complaints has the 2005 Audi A8 had?
6 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on March 20, 2006 and the latest on June 26, 2014. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2005 Audi A8 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 61 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Audi A8 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Audi A8 years have the most complaints?
2013 (50), 2015 (32), 2014 (18). See every Audi A8 year compared.
What should I do if my 2005 Audi A8 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data