Menu

2004 Audi A8Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 20 owner complaints about the 2004 Audi A8, most often about the visibility. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

2004 Audi A8
–
CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints202 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage7kVisibility, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 25, 2018. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2004 Audi A8 has problems

20 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Visibility60
Vehicle speed control50
Electrical system42
Service brakes21
Suspension20
Fuel system, gasoline10
Latches/locks/linkages10
Parking brake10
Seats10
7 other systems70

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2004 Audi A8 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Air bags: frontal

Recall 06V-324 · Aug 31, 2006 · 7,674 vehicles

Risk. LOSS OF FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD OCCUR WHICH CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Audi.

Best & worst years

2004 vs. every other A8 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the A8 median. How we score

'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What A8 owners report

Recent visibility complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL STOP INTERMITTENTLY. THEY HAVE STOPPED DURING HEAVY RAIN ON AN EXPRESSWAY SEVERAL TIMES RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VISION. THE DEALERS COULD NOT GET THE PROBLEM TO REPEAT SO THEY SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING. I CALLED THE AUDI ADVOCATE PHONE LINE AND WAS TOLD THAT AUDI…
Complaint 10236405 · Jul 30, 2008 · 9,520 miles
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…
Complaint 10215979 · Jan 25, 2008 · 4,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10144136 · Dec 1, 2005 · 14,433 miles

Own a 2004 A8?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.