Does the 2005 Audi A8 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2005 Audi A8, the most recent reported on August 31, 2006 (Air bags: frontal). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Audi A8?

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is vehicle speed control (3 complaints), followed by electrical system (1).

How many 2005 Audi A8 complaints mention a crash or fire?

0 of 6 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2005 Audi A8 recalls and problems

1 recall and 6 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2005 Audi A8.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2005 Audi A8 recalls

Air bags: frontal

NHTSA campaign 06V324000 · reported August 31, 2006 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC · 7,674 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Vehicle speed control3
Electrical system1
Engine and engine cooling1
Equipment1
Equipment adaptive/mobility1
Latches/locks/linkages1
Service brakes, hydraulic1
Structure1
Tires1

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Jun 26, 2014 · Vehicle speed control · 73,000 miles
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…

Jan 22, 2010 · Equipment · 27,813 miles
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…

Apr 16, 2007 · Vehicle speed control · 10,000 miles
TL 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…

Jan 9, 2007 · Engine and engine cooling · fire reported
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…

Sep 26, 2006 · Structure · 12,000 miles
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…

A8 model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2002	1	1	0	0
2003	1	3	0	0
2004	1	20	0	2
2005	1	6	0	1
2006	2	6	0	0
2007	2	4	0	0
2008	1	8	2	0

Across all years, the 2013 A8 has the most complaints (50). All Audi A8 years →

Questions

Does the 2005 Audi A8 have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2005 Audi A8, the most recent reported on August 31, 2006 (Air bags: frontal). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Audi A8?: Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is vehicle speed control (3 complaints), followed by electrical system (1).
How many 2005 Audi A8 complaints mention a crash or fire?: 0 of 6 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received June 26, 2014.