Model year record

2008 Audi A5 recalls & problems

The 2008 Audi A5 has 1 safety recall and 5 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (2 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints5filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Air bagsMay 27, 2016

Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

Recall 16V3760008,381 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Fix: 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.

Components: Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive; Air bags

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2008 Audi A5 2-DR w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

A5 quattro

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.2 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

A5 quattro

20mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.2 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Typical mileage*
Air bags	2	—
Service brakes	2	—
Electrical system	2	—
Exterior lighting	1	—
Unknown or other	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system
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…
Apr 15, 2026
Unknown or other
THE AUDIO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM HAS STOPPED WORKING. THE AUDIO SYSTEM POWERS ON, POWERS OFF IMMEDIATELY AFTER ABOUT 5. SECONDS
Jun 24, 2018 · 100,000 miles
Air bags
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.
May 23, 2016
Air bags
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.
Nov 1, 2013 · 35,000 miles
Exterior lighting
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
Sep 28, 2013 · 46,300 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.