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Audi A8 D5 common faults.

2017–. The fault list covers this generation and the engines in it. If the listing gives the exact version, pick it below.

Audi A8 D5

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What to watch for

What can go wrong on this car?

The list covers the generation, the engines and the transmissions. Once you pick the version, only the faults that apply to it stay.

The four groups of parts in the air suspension (compressor, valve block, ride height sensors, air springs) work together, and any weak link causes a fault message, an uneven ride height or a car that settles.

It can affect every car in this generation.

Official recall12 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done. The list covers the whole generation. We did not filter it by model year. Some apply only to a narrower production window.

Most recent: 23 April 2021

A12/01220/21Safety recallEnvironment23 April 2021 · EU Safety Gate

The vehicles are equipped with control software regarded as unauthorised by the competent authorities. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Importer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: 23/04/2021

The authority's notice

A12/00504/22Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Alteration of the rear axle’s toe and/or camber values lead to increased and uneven wear on the rear tyres, and if worn down to its carcass may suffer a sudden loss of pressure. This can lead to loss of traction and may affect vehicle handling, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/00676/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The suspension forks on the rear axle may be defective. As a result, the tyres may come into contact with the wheelhouse, possibly leading to a loss of control over the vehicle and increased risk of an accident.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/00997/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

An oil line in the automatic gearbox may have a manufacturing defect. Consequently, oil may leak out onto the road, posing a risk to the following traffic.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/01262/20Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

The wire coil profile used in the radiator tank seal may be deformed due to the very variable temperatures within the engine compartment. Over time, and under unfavourable conditions, this could lead to the radiator seal coming loose. A loose radiator seal could come into contact with hot components in the engine compartment as a result of vibrations during driving. This could lead to the seal and, potentially, neighbouring components starting to smoulder, increasing the risk of fire.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/0382/19Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

In certain vehicles, fuel can leak onto the engine fuel rail. Fuel leakage close to a source of ignition may increase the risk of the vehicle catching fire.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/0618/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

A component of the wheel suspension may not be strong enough and could break over time. As a consequence, the tyre may press against the wheel arch which poses a risk of accidents.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/1041/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The rivets which fix the seat tracks on the passenger side of the vehicle have an unsuitable head diameter. This can cause the rivet connection to fail in the event of an accident, impairing the restraining effect of the seat and belt system and increasing the risk of injuries.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

INFO/00089/21Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Faulty crash sensors for the airbag restraint systems may have been installed in both the front doors. This could impair the protective effect of the side airbags, head airbags and/or belt tensioners, increasing the risk of injury in the event of an accident.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

INFO/00138/21Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The nuts on the eccentric bolt of the rear-axle spring-link control arm may break due to stress corrosion. As a result, the rear axle could move in the wrong direction, in an uncontrollable manner at high speeds.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

INFO/00143/21Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Moisture may enter into the engine control unit due to a missing sealing pin in one of the connectors. As a result, the engine may run in an emergency mode with reduced power or stall.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

SR/03859/25Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

The cell modules of the high-voltage battery could overheat during charging which can lead to a fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

Engines and transmissions in this generation

A fault is often tied to the engine, not to the whole generation. You find the engine code in the registration document.

D5 · 2017–

Pick the version.

The fault list opens on the version page.

20 versions

Neighbouring generations

D5 · 2017–

D5 (2017-). If the listing is from the changeover year, look at the neighbour too.

Previous generation

D4 · 2010–2017

This generation

D5 · 2017–

Next generation

This is the latest.

Common questions

About this generation

Which years does this page cover?

2017–. The changeover year can fall in two generations. If the listing is from that year, look at the neighbour too.

Does the fault apply to every car like this?

No. It depends on the engine and the transmission too.

Is it free?

The fault list is.

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms