2004 Audi A8 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 Audi A8, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Visibility621.4%
- Driver assistance517.9%
- Brakes414.3%
- Electrical414.3%
- Fuel system27.1%
- Suspension27.1%
- Other / unspecified13.6%
- Tires & wheels13.6%
- Engine13.6%
- Seat belts13.6%
- Interior & seats13.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 WOULD NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE. THEN I WROTE AUDI AND ASK FOR A REFUND AND THE AUDI ADVOCATE RETURNED THE CALL AND MAINTAINED THE SAME RESPONSE. *TR
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. NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS FAILURE HAVE SURFACED ON THE INTERNET, AND EXCHANGING THE WIPER-MOTOR ALLEVIATED THE PROBLEM. AUDI SHOULD RECALL ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE WIPER BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. FURTHERMORE, I REQUEST AUDI REFUND MY LAST 17 LEASE-PAYMENTS AS WELL AS INSURANCE AND REGISTRATION COST FOR THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS GARAGED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. TUNED TO DIFFERENT STATIONS AND MY CDS ARE SCROLLED THROUGH THE TRACKS WITHOUT MY DOING SO....AND MY VEHICLE WAS HACKED FOR IT TO SPEED UP WHEN I WASNT ACCELORATING IN A WALMART PARKING LOT....THAT COULD HAVE INJURED MYSELF OR OTHERS..BUT I HIT THE BRAKES AND CUT MY CAR OFF IN A PARKING SPACE...MY SPEEDOMETER IS ALWAYS BEING HACKED THAT WHEN I DRIVING AT NO MATTER WHAT SPEED....ITS BEING HACKED TO READ 0 MILES AND THREATENS MY ABILITY TO KNOW MY SPEED AND IT SLOWS MY ENGINE PERFORMANCE...MY PARK BRAKE ENGAGES AND I HAVE TO CUT CAR OFF AND THIS IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS WHILE IM DRIVING....MY STEERING ONCE JERKED BUT I MIRACULOUSLY WASNT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC..I DONT KNOW WHO WHAT OR WHY BUT WHEN I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE EVEN THE DEALER BOOMER DID ALOT OF SHADY THINGS IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO MY VEHICLE.........PLEASE HELP...ALL THE VEHICLES I BUY ARE BEING HACKED AND EVENTUALLY EITHER RECALLED OR CRASHED OR [XXX] NEAR! OR PUT OUT OF ORDER... AND EVERY INSURANCE COMPANY I GET.....MY PREMIUMS GO UP WITHOUT ANY REASON EXCEPT "ITS THE STATE INSURANCE COMMISSION" WHERE I LIVE CHANGING STATE RULES? INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
I OWN A 2004 AUDI A8 QUATRO, THIS MORNING THE CAR ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN. THE DRIVER SEAT, STEERING WHEEL, AND THE CAR SUSPENSION ADJUSTED AUTOMATICALLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT AND IT WENT FROM 40MPH TO 150+ WITHOUT ME HAVING MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. FOR A MINUTE I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE. I SLOWLY STARTING PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL HOPING THE CAR WOULD NOT FLIP. IT TOOK ABOUT 2 TO 3 MINUTES FOR ME TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR. I PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND TURNED IT OFF. I TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL ACCELERATED, IT SOUNDED IT LIKE THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS ON PARK. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. TUNED TO DIFFERENT STATIONS AND MY CDS ARE SCROLLED THROUGH THE TRACKS WITHOUT MY DOING SO....AND MY VEHICLE WAS HACKED FOR IT TO SPEED UP WHEN I WASNT ACCELORATING IN A WALMART PARKING LOT....THAT COULD HAVE INJURED MYSELF OR OTHERS..BUT I HIT THE BRAKES AND CUT MY CAR OFF IN A PARKING SPACE...MY SPEEDOMETER IS ALWAYS BEING HACKED THAT WHEN I DRIVING AT NO MATTER WHAT SPEED....ITS BEING HACKED TO READ 0 MILES AND THREATENS MY ABILITY TO KNOW MY SPEED AND IT SLOWS MY ENGINE PERFORMANCE...MY PARK BRAKE ENGAGES AND I HAVE TO CUT CAR OFF AND THIS IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS WHILE IM DRIVING....MY STEERING ONCE JERKED BUT I MIRACULOUSLY WASNT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC..I DONT KNOW WHO WHAT OR WHY BUT WHEN I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE EVEN THE DEALER BOOMER DID ALOT OF SHADY THINGS IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO MY VEHICLE.........PLEASE HELP...ALL THE VEHICLES I BUY ARE BEING HACKED AND EVENTUALLY EITHER RECALLED OR CRASHED OR [XXX] NEAR! OR PUT OUT OF ORDER... AND EVERY INSURANCE COMPANY I GET.....MY PREMIUMS GO UP WITHOUT ANY REASON EXCEPT "ITS THE STATE INSURANCE COMMISSION" WHERE I LIVE CHANGING STATE RULES? INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
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. INSPECTING THE UNIT, MULTIPLE WIRE LEADS THAT FEED THE E-BRAKE CONTROL UNIT HAD BURNED THROUGH, AS DID A PORTION OF THE E-BRAKE CONTROL UNIT. THE BODY AREA OF THE CAR NEAR THE UNIT WAS COVERED IN SOOT FROM THE ELECTRICAL FIRE. YEARS PRIOR, THE DRIVER HAD ISSUES WITH THE E-BRAKE, THE E-BRAKES FAILING TO RELEASE PROMPTING THE VEHICLE TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. AT THAT TIME THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WALKED THE DRIVER INTO THE SERVICE AREA TO SHOW THE DRIVER CORROSION ON THE ELECTRIC CONTACT LEADS FROM THE CONTROL UNIT. THE REPRESENTATIVE SUGGESTED THAT PERHAPS BATTERY ACID/GASES MAY HAVE RUN DOWN THE BATTERY INTO THE CONTROL UNIT CAUSING THE CORROSION. THE UNIT MAY HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT THAT TIME ALONG WITH THE BATTERY. PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE OF THE CONTROL UNIT UPON REQUEST. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. INSPECTING THE UNIT, MULTIPLE WIRE LEADS THAT FEED THE E-BRAKE CONTROL UNIT HAD BURNED THROUGH, AS DID A PORTION OF THE E-BRAKE CONTROL UNIT. THE BODY AREA OF THE CAR NEAR THE UNIT WAS COVERED IN SOOT FROM THE ELECTRICAL FIRE. YEARS PRIOR, THE DRIVER HAD ISSUES WITH THE E-BRAKE, THE E-BRAKES FAILING TO RELEASE PROMPTING THE VEHICLE TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. AT THAT TIME THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WALKED THE DRIVER INTO THE SERVICE AREA TO SHOW THE DRIVER CORROSION ON THE ELECTRIC CONTACT LEADS FROM THE CONTROL UNIT. THE REPRESENTATIVE SUGGESTED THAT PERHAPS BATTERY ACID/GASES MAY HAVE RUN DOWN THE BATTERY INTO THE CONTROL UNIT CAUSING THE CORROSION. THE UNIT MAY HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT THAT TIME ALONG WITH THE BATTERY. PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE OF THE CONTROL UNIT UPON REQUEST. *TR
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.*AK UPDATED 12/27/2005 - THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MODULE. THE TRUNK WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A8. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A STRONG FUEL ODOR EMITTED FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V267000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
2004 AUDI A 8 L GAS PEDAL STICKS IN ACCELERATION MODE. HAS HAPPENED 4-5 TIMES. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT DID NOT RESPOND OR TAKE ACTION. I HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR AND PUMP PEDAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHEN STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR HARD. LAST INCIDENT DATE BELOW TIM WALKER *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I OWN A 2004 AUDI A8 QUATRO, THIS MORNING THE CAR ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN. THE DRIVER SEAT, STEERING WHEEL, AND THE CAR SUSPENSION ADJUSTED AUTOMATICALLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT AND IT WENT FROM 40MPH TO 150+ WITHOUT ME HAVING MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. FOR A MINUTE I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE. I SLOWLY STARTING PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL HOPING THE CAR WOULD NOT FLIP. IT TOOK ABOUT 2 TO 3 MINUTES FOR ME TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR. I PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND TURNED IT OFF. I TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL ACCELERATED, IT SOUNDED IT LIKE THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS ON PARK. *TR
TWO AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEMS WENT OUT FOR NO REASON IN MY CAR. MY CAR IS A 2004 A8L WITH 64,000 MILES. THEY WERE LEAKING. THIS WAS $5,000 EXPENSE. I THINK THEY ARE DEFECTIVE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I OWN A 2004 AUDI A8 QUATRO, THIS MORNING THE CAR ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN. THE DRIVER SEAT, STEERING WHEEL, AND THE CAR SUSPENSION ADJUSTED AUTOMATICALLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT AND IT WENT FROM 40MPH TO 150+ WITHOUT ME HAVING MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. FOR A MINUTE I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE. I SLOWLY STARTING PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL HOPING THE CAR WOULD NOT FLIP. IT TOOK ABOUT 2 TO 3 MINUTES FOR ME TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR. I PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND TURNED IT OFF. I TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL ACCELERATED, IT SOUNDED IT LIKE THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS ON PARK. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.*AK UPDATED 12/27/2005 - THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MODULE. THE TRUNK WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY CAR SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. RESTARTED CAR AND HAD IT STALL SEVERAL TIMES. CAR HAS BEEN SENT TO BE EVALUATED BY A MECHANIC. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE HEAD RESTRAINT WOULD TAKE UP 35 TO 40 % OF THE REAR WINDOW. *AK *SC *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.*AK UPDATED 12/27/2005 - THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MODULE. THE TRUNK WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .