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1995-2026 · 32 model years

Audi A8 Problems by year

Owners have filed 228 complaints about the Audi A8 across 32 model years, and it has 31 recalls. The 2013 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (50), while 1996, 2010 have far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling, followed by the transmission & drivetrain.

Most complaints for its age201350 complaints · 6 recallsSee the 2013
Complaints
228
Recalls
31
Crashes
7
Fires
3
Injuries
2
Deaths
0

A8 complaints by model year

Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20260100-D
20250100-C
20240200-D
20230200-C
20220300-C
202101000-F
20200500-D
20191300Electrical systemC
20180200-A
20170300-B
20160400-C
201532510Engine & coolingF
201418500Engine & coolingF
201350600Engine & coolingF
201211100Engine & coolingC
201115100Engine & coolingC
20101100Visibility & wipersA
20095110Body, doors & structureB
20088120AirbagsC
20074200AirbagsB
20066200Acceleration & cruise controlC
20056101Acceleration & cruise controlB
20040100-A
20038100LightsB
20028100Wheels & tiresB
200117210Transmission & drivetrainD
20008201Wheels & tiresC
199912401Body, doors & structureD
19987310AirbagsD
199710210Transmission & drivetrainC
19961200BrakesA
19950100-A

Most common A8 problems

Audi A8 recalls 31

Latest A8 complaints

2019 Audi A8Electrical system

The vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic failure of its 48V electrical charging system while in motion, resulting in an immediate and dangerous loss of motive power. Without any warning, the vehicle displayed an 'Electrical System Malfunction' warning on the dashboard and completely shut down, leaving me stranded in active traffic. This inherent engineering defect cuts power to critical safety-critical subsystems, causing a severe and sudden reduction in steering assist and braking performance. This component...

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failure creates an extreme, un-alerted safety hazard on public highways. Audi has issued a class-action settlement for the underlying Belt Starter Generator (BSG) that charges this 48V subsystem, proving they are aware of the manufacturing defect. However, authorized dealerships are actively manipulating diagnostic criteria to deny repairs, forcing consumers to drive un-repaired, safety-compromised vehicles that pose an imminent risk of a severe rear-end collision or highway accident.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11775288
2015 Audi A8Transmission & drivetrainEngine & coolingFuel system

Had car towed to dealer for recall was there 4 months was told they didn't want to work on in now they have had it towed off there lot with out telling me

Filed Incident Power train · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11774336
2013 Audi A8Wheels & tires

Lionhart LH-Five UHP All Season 265/40ZR20 104Y XL Passenger Tire The tire tread separated at the inside seam of the tire at the side wall. One tire had 90-180 degree of tire separation. You could see the inside of the tire and the belt. The tire was still holding pressure. This problem was identified before the tire further self destructed. But this is considered a near miss if not discovered at the time and future tire degradation continued. The first event happened in Dec 2024. I have two vehicles that use...

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the same tire. I noticed the same problem on all four tires of my other vehicle currently (October 2026). These tires appear to have a manufacturer defect. The DOT manufacturer date on my current tires is 1124 which I believe means 11th wk of 2024. The tires that had the tread separation had about 20k of use. I have included a picture below. On my other car the tires have about 20k miles of use also, and the location where the sidewall meets the tread on the inside of the tire is very thin and stretched. It is a matter of time before these fail as well. I am seeking to get these replaced by the tire company.

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 11773411
2013 Audi A8Engine & cooling

Engine totaled because of oil starvation I'm guessing or maybe an oil pump failure oil starvation caused Pistons to rub inside of head cost of engine and work is more than the vehicles cost so that means car is totaled

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11732258
2013 Audi A8Engine & cooling

The pcv oil separator has failed and is making a whistling sound. From researching this issue it is widely known and an investigation shows it is caused in relation to a recall for the oil strainer that was done on this vehicle. I called audi dealership and they said this is not an open recall, however it seems this is exactly what caused it.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11692779
2015 Audi A8SuspensionElectrical systemDriver assistance

So I purchased a vehicle from wright drive in El Paso, Texas. I was driving home back to Alamogordo which is 90 miles away, maybe 80 I realized there was no adaptive cruise control. So I messaged dealership. They told me that there was nothing they could do. It's not a safety issue. I got the vehicle home the next day. I found out the whole front suspension was bad. I kept hearing a noise when I would drive over bumps and it was really loud. I contacted the dealership, told them that the suspension was bad. They...

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told me to take it to Audi to have them look at it. It came out to like $8,000 worth of repairs. They told me they would not pay that and I could return the vehicle for a full refund. I told them okay. I would be there in 3 days because I was working. They said that was fine. I get there 3 days later they told me that was no longer an option. So I got stuck with the car that needed $8,000 worth of repairs and then another four for more suspension parts. New breaks the 3,000 to fix the adaptive cruise control. I understand the adaptive cruise control is not really a big deal but the fact that they lied about me being able to return the vehicle and now I'm stuck with the vehicle thing that I've paid more fixing a suspension then the car is even worth. I'm a single father with two kids. I cannot afford to keep paying for a car that they should have taken back to begin with because it's illegal to sell a vehicle that has saved the issues

Filed Incident Suspension · Electrical system · Forward collision avoidanceNHTSA 11691917

Questions about the Audi A8

Which Audi A8 years have the most problems?

By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 2013 (50), 2015 (32), 2014 (18). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 2013 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.

Which Audi A8 years have the fewest complaints?

Among model years that have been on the road for at least three years, 1995, 2004, 2010 have the best Safety Index - the fewest complaints, crashes and recalls for their age compared with other A8 years. Always check the exact vehicle's recalls by VIN before you buy.

What are the most common Audi A8 problems?

Across every model year, owners report problems with the engine & cooling (91), transmission & drivetrain (25), electrical system (22) most often.

How many recalls does the Audi A8 have?

NHTSA lists 31 recalls across all Audi A8 model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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