Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2004 Audi A8, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Visibility6
- Vehicle speed control5
- Electrical system4
- Service brakes2
- Suspension2
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Traction control system1
- Seats1
- Fuel/propulsion system1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Engines
The most common engines in 2004 Audi A8 cars on Dutch roads are the 4.2 petrol (246 kW, 330 hp), 3.7 petrol (206 kW, 276 hp) and 6.0 petrol (331 kW, 444 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 4.2 petrol | 246 kW 330 hp | 49 |
| 3.7 petrol | 206 kW 276 hp | 32 |
| 6.0 petrol | 331 kW 444 hp | 28 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
129 first registered in 2004 are on Dutch roads; 46% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €127,407.
Most common APK defects
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse33
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde30
- Waarschuwingsinrichting airbag- / gordelsysteem geeft defect28
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen26
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld24
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt22
- Band onvoldoende profiel18
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm12
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
141 cars built in 2004 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 248 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 264 of these cars first registered in 2004 took their annual MOT test. 76% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2004 the figure was 56%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2004 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 8.0% | 21.8% |
| Suspension | 8.0% | 17.2% |
| Brakes | 6.1% | 13.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.3% | 7.5% |
| Visibility | 4.5% | 7.7% |
| Tyres | 3.8% | 6.7% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
40 of these cars first registered in 2004 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 333,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
37 2004 cars are on the New Zealand register; 73% arrived as used imports, 14% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 2004 Audi A8.
| 2006203 28 Aug 2006 | Airbag On certain vehicles the drivers frontal airbag may not inflate as designed, which could cause driver injuries in a crash. Correction: Dealers will replace the d… |
| 2004187 7 Jun 2004 | Other Certain Volkswagen Phaeton, Touareg, and Audi A8L vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 114. The steering wheel does not lock when the key is r… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Audi told its dealers about the 2004 Audi A8: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10251038 | Brakes squeel |
| 10251027 | Tightening wheel bolts |
| 10251016 | Self-leveling compressor inoperative |
| 10251012 | Vehicle lowers itself, air suspension warning light on, level sensor error (PR-2MB or 1BK) |
| 10250995 | Clicking noise from wheel bearing |
| 10250968 | Electric steering column adjustment is inoperative |
| 10250952 | Electric steering column adjustment is inoperative |
| 10250950 | Tightening wheel bolts |
| 10250679 | Vehicle lowers itself, air suspension warning light on, level sensor error (PR-2MB or 1BK) |
| 10250654 | Clicking noise from wheel bearing |
| 10250473 | Self-leveling compressor inoperative |
| 10250468 | Clicking noise from wheel bearing |
| 10250430 | Oil consumption measurement - Repair Authorization (CA) |
| 10249085 | Google Maps Street View (NVLW)) |
| 10249054 | Due to new Minnesota state regulations regarding biofuels, biodiesel blends of B5 or less may not be available in the State of Minnesota. |
| 10244036 | 2004 Scheduled Maintenance Intervals |
| 10243930 | This bulletin provides information on the additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries. |
| 10243790 | Audi Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243787 | Audi Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243780 | Audi Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243772 | Audi Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243761 | Audi Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243756 | Audi Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242632 | Seat Belt |
| 10231144 | Technical bulletins and updates |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)