Audi · A5 · 2008
1
Recall
5
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2008 Audi A5 has 1 recall and 5 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: electrical system,service brakes (1 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Audi A4, A5, and Q5 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.
Remedy Status
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69O1.
2008 Audi A5 3.2L S-Line Coupe experiencing severe water intrusion into trunk compartment causing progressive failure of multiple electronic modules. Water enters through a known design defect in the trunk seal and drainage pathway, pooling in the spare tire well where critical electronic control modules are mounted. Affected systems: (1) Complete audio and entertainment system failure due to amplifier module destroyed by water damage. (2) Electronic parking brake malfunction with brake failing to engage and disengage reliably, creating serious rollaway risk on inclines. (3) General electrical instability with intermittent warning lights and system malfunctions. (4) Severe parasitic battery drain with vehicle battery draining overnight due to water-damaged modules drawing constant current. This is a well-documented design flaw across the entire B8 A5 and S5 platform from 2008 to 2013. The manufacturer engineered a protective cover part for later production models, confirming awareness of the water intrusion defect, but never issued a recall or retrofit for earlier vehicles. Hundreds of owners have reported identical failures on major Audi enthusiast forums. The electronic parking brake failure is a serious safety hazard as the vehicle may roll uncontrolled on grades when parked.
THE AUDIO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM HAS STOPPED WORKING. THE AUDIO SYSTEM POWERS ON, POWERS OFF IMMEDIATELY AFTER ABOUT 5. SECONDS
TAKATA RECALL ON MAY 23, 2016, MY AUDI A5 WAS RECALLED. SAFETY RISK WAS CLAIMED TO BE "IF THE AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT FAILS, SAFETY SYSTEMS SUCH AS SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS AND AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF OCCUPANT INJURY." 6 MONTHS LATER, THE RECALL IS "INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE" I AM TRYING TO TRADE IN MY VEHICLE, BUT THE DEALER SAYS THE LACK OF RECALL FIX WILL NEGATIVELY IMPACT THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR AND THE PARKING BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE HORN HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE DEFECTS WERE ALL CAUSED BY A FAULTY STEERING WHEEL SPRING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
MAIN BEAM/LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT WARNING CAME ON. SECOND TIME DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE READ THAT AUDIS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THE SAME ISSUE BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT IT. HAVING BULB REPLACED IS COSTING 360.00 AT THE AUDI SERVICE DEPARTMENT. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. A FACTORY RECALL SHOULD BE ORDERED. THANK YOU *TR
The 2008 Audi A5 has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 5 owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Audi A5.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2008 Audi A5.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2008 Audi A5 are electrical system,service brakes (1 reports), air bags (1 reports), exterior lighting (1 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2008 Audi A5. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.