2008 Audi A5
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 2 of 5 complaints (40%) mention it.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | vs. 2008 Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,700–3,900 | 3,900 | 3,000–3,700 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–21 | 20 | 21–26 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–18 / 27 | 16–17 / 26–27 | 18–23 / 26–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423–444 | 444 | 342–423 | |
| Complaints filed | 5 | 11 | 34 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 5 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2008 Audi A5 have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2008 Audi A5?
Electrical: 2 of 5 NHTSA complaints (40%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Audi A5 get?
EPA rates it 20–21 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Audi A5?
EPA estimates $3,700–$3,900 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 16 mpg (low) | 27 mpg | 20 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 18 mpg (high) | 27 mpg | 21 mpg (high) | $3,700 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
AIR BAGS; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · Campaign 16V376000 · May 27, 2016
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.