The 2009 Audi A8 has 1 safety recall and 5 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (1 complaint).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints5filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
NHTSA recall 16V415000 · Jun 9, 2016 · 536 vehicles
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Audi A8 and S8 vehicles. The sunroof glass on the affected vehicles may not be properly secured to the sunroof frame. As a result, the sunroof glass may detach from the car while driving.
Risk: If the glass detaches from the sunroof frame it could be come a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install additional adhesive between the sunroof glass and frame, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in August 4, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 60C3.
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
2009 Audi A8 4-DR. w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: Optional
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
A8
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel
A8 L
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel
A8 L
15mpg combined
City / highway
13 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
6 L · 12 cyl · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,500/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
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Engine and engine cooling Engine
1
0
0
0
—
Electronic stability control (esc)
1
1
0
0
—
Exterior lighting
1
0
0
0
—
Latches/locks/linkages Doors › Latch
1
0
0
0
—
Electrical system
1
0
0
0
—
Visibility Sun/moon roof assembly
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Apr 25, 2025 · 133,878 milesVisibility › Sun/moon roof assembly The contact owns a 2009 Audi A8. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof glass detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the sunroof glass frame had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 133,878.
Apr 30, 2021Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch 1: My passenger door sensitive door closing sensor is not working 2: my sunroof is off track and makes noises 3: battery cord is corroded. There is no where in the world to get 1 right now apparently. I bought a brand new battery and car still doesnât pull energy from the battery so Iâm scared the car wonât start very soon
Dec 15, 2011 · 5,390 milesExterior lighting MULTIPLE COMPONENT FAILURES RELATIVE TO TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES. BOTH TRUNK MOUNTED TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACE IN 12/11 UNDER MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY. SEALED TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT WATER TIGHT WHICH CAUSED FAILURE OF CIRCUIT BOARDS AND LED LIGHTS. ONE OF THE TWO REPLACEMENT UNITS HAS ALSO FAILED AGAIN (18 MO. IN SERVICE AND 6000 MILES) LIGHTS HAVE FAILED IN THIS UNIT AS WELL, CAUSING POTENTIAL HAZARD DUE TO LACK OF ILLUMINATION EXPERIENCED IDENTICAL FAILURE ON MY 2007 AUDI S8 WHICH IS THE SAME CHASSIS PLATFORM AS THE VEHICLE ABOVE. A TOTAL OF FOUR OF THESE TAIL LIGHTS HAVE FAILED ON THESE TWO VEHICLES. THERE WERE NO COLLISIONS OR EVENTS THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED DAMAGE OR AFFECTED…
Nov 20, 2009 · 5,050 miles · crashElectronic stability control (esc) CAR HANDLING SYSTEM WENT OUT OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND STEERING CONTROL CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE SENT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND THEN OFF THE ROAD. *TR
Apr 17, 2009 · 9,033 milesEngine and engine cooling › Engine TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 AUDI A8. WHEN HE TURNED THE VEHICLE ON THE ENGINE BEGAN VIBRATING AND WHENEVER THE CONTACT BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED TO A LOWER GEAR AND THEN SURGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 4 OCCASIONS AND EACH TIME THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 9033.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.