The 2004 Audi A8 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 7,674 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS06V3240002006-08-317,674 affected
Defect
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.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4
2fires
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
4
SERVICE BRAKES
2
1fires
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
EQUIPMENT
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK
1
PARKING BRAKE
1
Total complaints31
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“While driving and/or parking and/or putting key in ignition to start my vehicle abs light; stabilization; and speedometer seems as though being hacked...sometimes especially in the summer when temperatures reach 100 degrees + my heater is hacked on and my interior of the vehicle is life…”
“While driving and/or parking and/or putting key in ignition to start my vehicle abs light; stabilization; and speedometer seems as though being hacked...sometimes especially in the summer when temperatures reach 100 degrees + my heater is hacked on and my interior of the vehicle is life…”
“While driving and/or parking and/or putting key in ignition to start my vehicle abs light; stabilization; and speedometer seems as though being hacked...sometimes especially in the summer when temperatures reach 100 degrees + my heater is hacked on and my interior of the vehicle is life…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“I own a 2004 audi a8 quatro, this morning the car accelerated on it's own. The driver seat, steering wheel, and the car suspension adjusted automatically while I was driving it and it went from 40mph to 150+ without me having my foot on the accelerator. For a minute I thought I was going to die. I…”
“I own a 2004 audi a8 quatro, this morning the car accelerated on it's own. The driver seat, steering wheel, and the car suspension adjusted automatically while I was driving it and it went from 40mph to 150+ without me having my foot on the accelerator. For a minute I thought I was going to die. I…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2004 Audi A8 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.