2009 Audi A8
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Visibility & Lighting
Visibility & Lighting leads by volume: 2 of 5 complaints (40%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Brakes include more crash reports (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 8 in 2008 to 5 in 2009.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | vs. 2009 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,300–5,150 | 4,300–5,150 | 4,300–5,150 | 4,300 | 3,700 | |
| Combined MPG | 15–18 | 15–18 | 15–18 | 18 | 21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 13–16 / 19–23 | 13–16 / 19–23 | 13–16 / 19–23 | 16 / 23 | 17 / 27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 494–592 | 494–592 | 494–592 | 494 | 423 | |
| Complaints filed | 4 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 15 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
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 2009 Audi A8 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 2009 Audi A8?
Visibility & Lighting: 2 of 5 NHTSA complaints (40%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Audi A8 get?
EPA rates it 15–18 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2009 Audi A8?
EPA estimates $4,300–$5,150 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 8 | 4.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 16 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | 18 mpg (high) | $4,300 (low) | 494 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 8 | 4.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 16 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | 18 mpg (high) | $4,300 (low) | 494 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 12 | 6.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 13 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | 15 mpg (low) | $5,150 (high) | 592 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 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)
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY · Campaign 16V415000 · Jun 9, 2016
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Audi A8 and S8 vehicles. The sunroof glass on the affected vehicles may not be properly secured to the sunroof frame. As a result, the sunroof glass may detach from the car while driving.
Consequence: If the glass detaches from the sunroof frame it could be come a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install additional adhesive between the sunroof glass and frame, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in August 4, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 60C3.