2005 Audi A8 Audi A8 2005

We are 103,000+ car owners sharing real-world car information.

Join Us

2005 Audi A8 repairs by problem area

Engine (32%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (3%)

Brakes and Traction Control (3%)

Suspension and Steering (19%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (32%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (1%)

Other (10%)

Chart based on 145 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2005 Audi A8.

2005 Audi A8 repair cost distribution

$2500+ (10%)

$1000 - $2499 (20%)

$500 - $999 (21%)

$100 - $499 (33%)

< $100 (16%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 111 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2005 Audi A8 4dr Sedan, ext.

450-horsepower 6.0L W12 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Audi A8 in Ohio, United States
Jan 2013 - Sep 2013
Sep 2013

89000 mi

US $2500
My MMI went out. Had to install new MMI brain. 
Audi A8 in Quebec, Canada
Aug 2016 - Dec 2020
Jan 2016

90520 mi

C $400
Repaired parking brake motor. 
Oct 2017

99820 mi

C $1500
J518 acc/start auth module defective. (integrates the immobilizer system function and steering wheel lock mechanism). I was lucky it started, I was about to tow it. Problem was caused by a drain clog in the firewall. Water accumulated under the carpet and entered the access start module, creating corrosion. Module had to be replaced.  

Return to top

2005 Audi A8 4dr Sedan, ext.

330-horsepower 4.2L V8 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Audi A8 in Massachusetts, United States
Apr 2012 - Dec 2019
Nov 2012

81600 mi

US $700
leaking cylinder head gaskets causing burning smell 
Mar 2013

83000 mi

US $6300
Plastic connector for coolant into oil cooler leaking, required dropping engine to replace component. It's likely this was damaged when a faulty thermostat caused the engine to apparently overheat a year ago, fixed under warrantee. 
Jul 2014

95300 mi

US $310
right front xenon headlamp replaced. 
Dec 2014

99000 mi

US $300
left front xenon low beam bulb 
Jan 2015

91000 mi

US $1800
heater core clogged - low heat output 
Feb 2016

109000 mi

US $350
Joint near catalytic converter corroded and leaking, with load noise 
Sep 2016

112000 mi

US $800
started motor solenoid - once engine was warm it would not start - ended up replacing motor - which is complex since access meant engine support submember needed removal 
Dec 2017

121000 mi

US $400
valve cover gasket, attempted to fix by tightening bolts 
Jun 2018

123000 mi

US $1800
valve cover gasket replacement slippage detected in AT, rough shifts when cold - suspect fluid change needed but dealer recommended against saying it's a "lifetime part" ... 
Sep 2019

120000 mi

US $500
calipers were sticking 
Audi A8 in Colorado, United States
Nov 2011 - Sep 2017
Dec 2011

110000 mi

US $400
Passenger side back-up light Bulb alone $40+ Trunk would not latch 
Jan 2013

135000 mi

US $500
Headlights work intermittent. Dealership can not find a problem. Headlamps turn off while driving will not come back on. Wires connecting rear air big sensor failed 
Jan 2015

127700 mi

US $1100
Headlights become too dim at night to be able to drive after dark. Dealer quoted $4,000 to fix! Found replacement Hella units for $900 at carid.com, labor to install at Body Ship $200.  
Audi A8 in Florida, United States
Mar 2013 - Dec 2014
Apr 2013

153000 mi

US $362
Driver headlight went out. Replaced element, still out. Replaced module, still out. Replaced ballast (exciter), worked. 
Jun 2013

158000 mi

US $700
Tranny was misbehaving. Paid $500 for transmission fluid and filter replacement, and was very pleasantly surprised to report that all issues were cured! I highly recommend this. Also $200 to replace evaporator drain tubes, which had clogged. 
Sep 2013

163000 mi

US $1000
Alternator went out. Water cooled alternator purchased from Audi dealer($605) 3 hours labor. Also had oil change at same time. 
Nov 2013

167000 mi

US $3600
Heard a noise in top of engine. Pulled over, shut down. opened hood, started car and heard bad noise up top. Called AAA for 570 mile tow (Platinum plan OK!) Was cam timing chain tensioner piston. Did Timing belt and rollers at same time. 
Dec 2014

192000 mi

US $2000
Air compressor for shocks. Bought aftermarket unit for one third of Dealer price. $1,500. ABS control unit failed. Tried to have unit repaired, but unsuccessful. purchased used unit from salvage yard. my mechanic installed. Salvage yard re-programmed unit. Works properly, except some warning lights were unable to be cleared- Audi. $500. 
Audi A8 in Virginia, United States
Dec 2013 - Mar 2017
Aug 2014

87000 mi

US $1600
Control arms and suspension bushings. 
Aug 2015

96100 mi

US $6000
Wheel bearings are known to corrode in the aluminum knuckles. Away bar end links were trashed. Soft close door modules failed in the back, on both sides. 
Jul 2016

102500 mi

US $2240
The front air suspension dropped and wouldn't raise. Both front air springs were actively leaking 
Audi A8 in Washington, United States
Dec 2010 - Jun 2011
Sep 2010

66824 mi

US $1541
Check Engine Lamp on. Fault code for Catalytic Converter failure. Replaced 1 of 2 Catalytic Converters. (Repair covered by Federal 8/80 Emissions Warranty - $0 deductible. Service Adviser estimates about $4000 if not warranted) Driver window does not go full-down automatically when switch is pushed to 2nd click. Replaced master window switch assembly. Steering wheel MMI controls not working. Replaced shorted steering wheel MMI control switch  "Creaking" noise from front over speed bumps. Replaced front left and front right upper link bushings. 
Jan 2011

72597 mi

US $576
Misfire and Check Engine Lamp #6 fuel injector connector broken Replaced #6 fuel injector and connector Covered by extended warranty - Only paid $100 deductible  
Audi A8 in Montana, United States
Jul 2015 - Aug 2016
Jul 2015

137000 mi

US $650
Replaced upper control arms, alignment, ACC calibration 
Sep 2015

139000 mi

US $430
Had to take car back to dealer to have alignment done again as they didn't tighten suspension components last time they did it. 
Audi A8 in Maryland, United States
Aug 2011 - Sep 2015
May 2013

99900 mi

US $300
replace sun roof deflector motor 
Aug 2013

101000 mi

US $4250
coolant leak requiring engine removal to get to the leak 
Jan 2014

104000 mi

US $800
stuck heater control valve 
Sep 2014

131000 mi

US $225
cooling overflow tank leaking 
Dec 2014

134000 mi

US $250
heater fan sporadically failed. regulator replaced. 
Jun 2015

141000 mi

US $175
mmi screen hung up 
Sep 2015

147000 mi

US $450
heater fan malfunction 
Audi A8 in Texas, United States
Sep 2010 - Jun 2015
Sep 2010

56526 mi
REPLACE MASS FLOW SENSOR REPLACE UPPER LINKS BUSHING DEALER PAID (CAR JUST PURCHASED) 
Oct 2010

56526 mi

US $100
PLACE FUEL CAP TETHER (DEALER PAD) REPLACE MAF SENSOR ($652) (WARRANTY) $100 DEDUCTABLE 
Nov 2010

57691 mi

US $586
REPLACE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ($896) REPLACE CRANK CASE VALVE ($242) CARBON CLEAN UP OF VALVES + AIR FILTER ($150) Insurance Paid Partial 
Dec 2010

59693 mi

US $84
REPLACE MMI SCREEN MOTOR ($1436) WARRANTLY DID NOT COVER REPLACE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (84) (Burned out dash lights across middle of dash) WARRANTY DID NOT COVER 
Jun 2011

65457 mi

US $258
REPLACE SPARE TIRE SENSOR (WARRANTY DID NOT COVER) REPLACE TRUNK MOTOR REPLACE TRUNK HINGES (damaged by motor) $793 Warranty paid minus $100 deductable. UPDATE NAV DATABASE  
Oct 2011

69200 mi
REPLACED EVAPORATIVE PURGE VALVE REPLACED BASE GASKET ON COMBI VALVE REPLACE CAT CONVERTOR BANK2 REPLACED BOTH VALVE COVER GASKETS REPLACE BASE GASKET ON COMBI VALVE (exhaust leak in Bank1) $441 $100 Deductable REPLACE EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS PURGE VALVE $275 $100 DEDUCTABLE  REPLACE BOTH VALVE COVER GASKETS $505 Warranty paid minus $100 deductable. REPLACE CAT CONVERTOR BANK2 (government mandate; paid by government) 
Jan 2012

71870 mi

US $196
OIL LEAKS: DRIVER SIDE CAM CAPS, VALVE COVER GASKETS (BANK 2). REPAIRED/REPLACED OIL LEAKS * DRIVER SIDE CAM CAPS * VALVE COVER GASKETS BANK 2 REPLACED/REPAIRED 
Mar 2012

75000 mi

US $100
TRUNK MOTOR FOR "PULL & SEAL", $100 INSURANCE DEDUCTABLE 
Feb 2013

84800 mi

US $780
BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS (AIR SPRINGS) $4200. INSURANCE PAID LESS $100 DEDUCTABLE. REPLACE BOTH FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS. Not covered by warranty. $780 (INSURANCE DID NOT PAY) REPLACE FRONT MOTOR MOUNT, $740. INSURANCE PAID LESS $100.00 DEDUCTABLE. 
Apr 2013

87000 mi

US $100
BLOWER MOTOR REPLACED FOR A/C $641 (PARTS 299 LABOR 342) ONE WINDOW REGULATOR ASSEMBLY REPLACED $437 (PARTS 272 LABOR 165) OIL LEAK. REPLACED VALVE COVER GASKET. $314 (PARTS 80 LABOR 234) 
May 2013

87800 mi

US $479
OIL LEAK. SEAL ON BANK 1 FRONT SENSOR REPLACED. PARTS 11 LABOR 236 HEADLIGHT SWITCH REPLACED PARTS 250 LABOR 82 INSURANCE DEDUCTABLE 100 INSURANCE PAID 232 
Oct 2013

92600 mi

US $1182
REPLACED HEADLAMP COOLANT TANK REPLACED 
Feb 2014

95500 mi

US $1826
upper link bushings replaced during 95,000 mile service. parts $136, labor $663. upper link bushings (front) replaced 
Apr 2014

97900 mi

US $773
REPLACED VALVE COVER AIR/FUEL RATION WAS OFF SINCE THE ABOVE WAS LEAKING REPLACED VALVE COVER AIR/FUEL RATION WAS OFF SINCE THE ABOVE WAS LEAKING 
May 2014

98600 mi

US $520
REPLACED ENGINE SPEED SENSOR REPLACED ENGINE SPEED SENSOR 
Dec 2014

98700 mi

US $7200
Car wouldn't start. Sensor on flywheel malfunctioned, sent bad signals to computer, overheating it, then car shut down. This took 7 months to diagnose and repair. Extended warranty paid $6170. Audi ate about $4,000 in unnecessary engine repairs. Sensor on flywheel malfunctioned. Transmission job done. This took 7 months to diagnose and repair. Sensor on flywheel malfunctioned. Transmission job done. This took 7 months to diagnose and repair. May through December 2014. 
Audi A8 in Texas, United States
Mar 2011 - Feb 2014
Mar 2011

40000 mi

US $500
replaced trunk lever mechanism and motor 
Apr 2011

41000 mi

US $200
drive belt replaced showed signs of wear 
Oct 2011

48000 mi

US $2200
Compressor of the air suspension system. Partly drivable, the bottom would scrape the pavement when I hit potholes or humps. Part is not available in the houston area, part is being shipped from dallas. Part alone is $1,400.00. dynamic suspension 
Dec 2011

51000 mi
entire striker assembly was replaced 
Oct 2013

67500 mi

US $500
bushing on control arm 
Audi A8 in New York, United States
Dec 2010 - Mar 2014
Apr 2011

47000 mi

US $108
Tire pressure monitor failed. Sensor replaced. The entire unit must be replaced (about $200 each) after ~5 years. Stupid!! The lithium battery is identical to the cheap units in my watch. 
Apr 2012

61200 mi

US $40
Brake light switch faulty, replaced. 
Dec 2013

80000 mi

US $5000
Entire suspension, front & rear 
Audi A8 in Texas, United States
Jan 2011 - Oct 2011
Feb 2011

69000 mi

US $600
Both MMI and GPS units replaced. 
Oct 2011

74000 mi

US $75
MMI motor gears 
Audi A8 in Maryland, United States
Dec 2010 - Oct 2018
Jul 2013

105700 mi

US $400
105,000 Service-Audio and MMI are not working properly. Dealer has not been able to diagnose or find problem. 
Sep 2013

109000 mi
Two year old battery was replaced; battery control module was updated along with an MMI Zug update. Some MMI problems were solved but other problems in multifunction steering wheel cropped up. None of the controls on the multifunction work. I am waiting for steering wheel parts to come in. 
Jan 2017

144500 mi

US $3000
Timing Belt, Plugs, Discs, Pads and tires 
Audi A8 in Alaska, United States
Dec 2010 - Oct 2012
Apr 2011

96000 mi

US $703
left rear door handle getting increasingly looser 

Return to top

2005 Audi A8 4dr Sedan

330-horsepower 4.2L V8 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Audi A8 in Michigan, United States
Jun 2009 - Jul 2012
Dec 2009

64000 mi

US $500
New Battery installed, $205. Diagnostic and labor to fix ESP fault totalled to be $500 including battery. Reason for fault was a faulty brake light switch $22 + labor. Final Result $500 
Feb 2010

67000 mi

US $675
Fully replace MMI screen mount due to failure to open and close correctly. Gears broken and switch that controls the start and stop of MMI motor faulty. Total cost including labor. 
Audi A8 in Washington, United States
Jan 2016 - May 2017
Mar 2016

109000 mi

US $200
Retaining clips for electrical connectors to fuel injectors needed to be replaced. 
Apr 2016

110000 mi

US $250
ABS module failed. Battery was weak. 
Audi A8 in Utah, United States
Feb 2016 - Sep 2018
Sep 2016

68000 mi

US $140
Evaporate valve on the fuel system keeps failing in the closed position. 
Dec 2016

69000 mi

US $200
Scavenger system on the fuel sustem 
Audi A8 in Washington, United States
Oct 2012 - Jun 2014
Nov 2012

80500 mi
replaced torn upper control arm bushings 
Audi A8 in Michigan, United States
Dec 2010 - Oct 2015
Jan 2011

91000 mi
TPMS sensors failed twice. Currently functioning. Dealer said TPMS batteries failed. Will replace for $50 under CPO warranty. 
May 2011

96700 mi

US $50
Replaced all five sensors. 
Oct 2011

102700 mi

US $3000
Leaking water pump and damaged timing belt.  Also replaced worn tie rods. Amir at Suburban Audi took OUTSTANDING care of me with loaner car and more. 
Mar 2012

113000 mi

US $500
Replace LF suspension bushing 
Jul 2012

119200 mi

US $1000
replace right rear wheel bearing 
Oct 2012

125800 mi

US $1000
Bushings torn on upper control arms. Replaced bushings. 
Dec 2013

160000 mi

US $3000
All bushings in suspension needed replacement, plus sway bar. 
Oct 2014

170000 mi

US $1000
replace control arm 
Audi A8 in Texas, United States
Feb 2011 - Dec 2011
Dec 2011

116000 mi

US $2000
Car gave yellow suspension light. All suspension options in MII are greyed out. Air compressor for suspension not outputting sufficient pressure to air suspension. Replaced compressor and relay. Yellow suspension light is gone. 
Audi A8 in California, United States
Dec 2010 - Sep 2014
Jul 2011

81500 mi
Warning light for seat belt. Left rear seat belt tensioner igniter fault. Replaced left rear seat belt assembly. 
Dec 2012

106000 mi
Car was overheating. Diagnosed as a bad thermostat Was loosing coolant slowly. Diagnosed as a verysmall leak in the oil radiator. Estimated cost to repair was $4000, so repair not done at this time. 
Jun 2013

111000 mi

US $2395
Engine oil cooler leaking coolant. Had to drop engine and transmission to get to the cooler. Dealer quoted $4000 for this repair. MMI display gear stripped. Qouted $960 to fix. I declined. Found replacement gear on internet, will do myself. TPMS system malfunction. TPMS sensors in wheels need to be replaced. Estimated cost $850. Found TPMS units on web for $46 each. Will have tire store replace. 
Jul 2013

111300 mi

US $200
TPMS sensors replaced. 
Aug 2014

119000 mi

US $1386
Check eng. light on. Was alternator problem. Need new WATER COOLED alternator Suspension light came on. Right front corner low. Had to replace front passenger side suspension air bag Center arm rest broken. Repair cost about $400 Nav display making clunking noise on way up and way down. I bought a new gear on the internet for about $15. Repair took about 3 hours. Followed directions from the internet. Everything works great now. 
Audi A8 in New Jersey, United States
Dec 2010 - Apr 2013
Feb 2010

68033 mi

US $50
replace trunk hinges 
Aug 2010

US $525
Replace MMI screen mechanism Replace trunk lift motor 
Sep 2010

80058 mi

US $50
Check engine light on - replaced air mass sensor 
Mar 2011

88000 mi

US $340
Tire Pressure monitor fault. System antenna replaced; however problem still exists 
Apr 2011

91000 mi

US $275
Crankshaft position sensor failed 
Jun 2011

93000 mi

US $300
Outer driver door handle replaced -lock button failed and could not lock the car using the keyless system Had tire pressure monitoring system disabled. Complete repair would cost up to $1,500 so had mechanic disable the system 
Sep 2011

96000 mi

US $40
MMI system would not work and system could not be re-booted. Technician found a stuck button on the MMI controller 
Mar 2012

106000 mi

US $750
Replace control arms - noisy when cold 
Oct 2012

114000 mi

US $450
Replaced left front wheel bearing 
Audi A8 in California, United States
Sep 2011 - Dec 2015
Dec 2011

89000 mi

US $50
Trunk Lock Mechanism Dealer Left Clean Air Sensor detached 
May 2012

91900 mi

US $900
Fuel Pump Failed and Oxygen Sensor Failed 

Return to top

See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans
See TrueDelta's information for all Audi models.

2005 Audi A8 Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2005 Audi A8 problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.