2004 Audi A8 problems
Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Audi A8. Wipers, windshield & visibility is the most reported problem area, at 19% of complaints. After that come cruise control (16%) and brakes (13%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 31 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Wipers, windshield & visibility 19% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 3
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 46,000 miles 18 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 8 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 1 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 0 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 2 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 1 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 0 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 2 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 3 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 18 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 46,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a fire.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2004 ranks 2nd most-complained-about out of 4 model years of the Audi A8 with enough data (18 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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. Updated 07/24/2012
Driver smelled smoke shortly after starting his vehicle and driving away from his home. The smell was of plastic, and it was assumed from an electrical short/fire. The driver stopped the car and inspected the engine area. No evidence of fire, however the driver turned back and drove the vehicle home. Strong burning plastic smell again as the vehicle was stopped. The cabin was filling with smoke. Driver opened the trunk as the battery was located in the right rear section of the trunk.
Two air suspension systems went out for no reason in my car. My car is a 2004 a8l with 64,000 miles. They were leaking. This was $5,000 expense. I think they are defective.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 audi a8. While the vehicle was parked, a strong fuel odor emitted from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 11v267000 (fuel system, other), but the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 170,000.