Check by VIN to confirm the exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
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.
Risk: 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.
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 driver airbag.
Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Audi A8 (1 fires reported). Among 25 model years of this model, it ranks #13 for the most complaints (median 6).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | |
| Tires | 1 | |
| Structure | 1 | |
| Electrical system | 1 | |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | |
| Equipment | 1 | |
| Equipment adaptive/mobility | 1 |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Audi A8.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Audi A8 4-DR. w/SAB | – | – | – | – |
EPA ratings for each 2005 Audi A8 version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A8 4.2 L Automatic (S6) | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,550 |
| A8 L 4.2 L Automatic (S6) | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,550 |
| A8 L 6.0 L Automatic (S6) | 13 | 19 | 15 | $5,500 |
Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada). Recalls updated 2026-10-30.