2004 Audi A8: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
20 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
28,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 20 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 30.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 20.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 10.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
Electrical System: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Service Brakes: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Equipment: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 9 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2004: 4; 2005: 5; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10067511 · 2004-06-04 (June 4, 2004)
THE HEAD RESTRAINT WOULD TAKE UP 35 TO 40 % OF THE REAR WINDOW. *AK *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10067511 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073253 · 2004-05-27 (May 27, 2004)
AUDO A 8 L GAS PEDEL STICKS IN ACCELERATION MODE- REPORTED TO AUDI AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE IN SHOP. *MR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10073253 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10086120 · 2004-08-03 (August 3, 2004)
MMI SYSTEM HAS INTERMITTENT RESETS AND CAUSE ERRATIC PERFORMANCE OF OTHER SYSTEMS SUCH A WINDOWS, TRUNK, AUDIO, NAVIGATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10086120 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10105053 · 2004-12-20 (December 20, 2004)
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION FROM 30 TO 80 MILES PMH. CONSUMER HAD TO STOMP ON BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. TAKEN TO DEALER TO RESET THE COMPUTER, BUT THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10105053 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10105799 · 2005-01-05 (January 5, 2005)
MY AUDI A8 2004 MODEL [XXX] COP DEVICE BURNED WITH A WIRE FIRE ON DEC 28, 2OO4 - I COULD ONLY STOP A FURTHER FIRE BY USING A FIRE EXT. AND DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY. I WAS TOLD BY THE AUDI SHOP DCH MAPLEWOOD N.J. AND MY REGULAR REPAIR SHOP LANGAN MOTORS, SCHENECTADY. N.Y. THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HAD SEEN SUCH A PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10105799 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10106654 · 2005-01-03 (January 3, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING AND UPON DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IT STUCK, CAUSING THE SPEED TO GO UP TO 70-80 MPH. ACCELERATOR PEDAL DID NOT RETURN TO THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THIS HAPPENED TWICE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10106654 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10106828 · 2005-01-05 (January 5, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. THERE WERE NO CRACKS OF ANY NATURE IN THE SUN ROOF. THE EXPLOSION LEFT A HOLE THE SIZE OF A FOOTBALL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10106828 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10142377 · 2005-11-10 (November 10, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE HAS ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN TWICE. THE FIRST TIME IT TOOK OFF HE HAD TO PUT IN NEUTRAL AND COAST INTO A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN DRIVE AND MOVED OUT OF THE MAIN PART OF THE PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS PUT BACK INTO NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS LATER. HE DROVE IN DRIVEWAY AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL TO PICK UP THE PAPER. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND HE TURNED IT AROUND. THE CONTACT…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10142377 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
06V324000 · Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2006-08-31 (August 31, 2006)
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.
Consequence: LOSS OF FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD OCCUR WHICH CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗