The 2008 Audi A5 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 8,381 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 6, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS16V3760002016-05-278,381 affected
Defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Audi A4, A5, and Q5 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.
Consequence
If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69O1.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
SERVICE BRAKES
2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1
Total complaints8
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“2008 audi a5 3.2l s-line coupe experiencing severe water intrusion into trunk compartment causing progressive failure of multiple electronic modules. Water enters through a known design defect in the trunk seal and drainage pathway, pooling in the spare tire well where critical electronic control…”
“2008 audi a5 3.2l s-line coupe experiencing severe water intrusion into trunk compartment causing progressive failure of multiple electronic modules. Water enters through a known design defect in the trunk seal and drainage pathway, pooling in the spare tire well where critical electronic control…”
“The audio entertainment system has stopped working. The audio system powers on, powers off immediately after about 5. Seconds”
“Takata recall on may 23, 2016, my audi a5 was recalled. Safety risk was claimed to be "if the airbag control unit fails, safety systems such as seat belt pretensioners and airbags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury." 6 months later, the recall is…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 audi a5. The contact stated that the driver's side air bag sensor and the parking brake warning light was illuminated. In addition, the horn had failed. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic, who determined that the defects were all caused by a faulty…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 audi a5. The contact stated that the driver's side air bag sensor and the parking brake warning light was illuminated. In addition, the horn had failed. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic, who determined that the defects were all caused by a faulty…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 audi a5. The contact stated that the driver's side air bag sensor and the parking brake warning light was illuminated. In addition, the horn had failed. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic, who determined that the defects were all caused by a faulty…”
“Main beam/left dipped headlight warning came on. Second time dealing with this problem and have read that audis are notorious for the same issue but nothing has been done to correct it. Having bulb replaced is costing 360.00 at the audi service department. Something must be done to rectify this…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2008 Audi A5 as of
July 6, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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