Check a vehicle VIN check Latest recalls Latest complaints Common problems Rankings Compare vehicles Recall roundups All makes Guides Share your experience
Theme

Vehicle safety record

2012 Audi A8 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 2012 Audi A8 with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (4) and the fuel system (3). It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in August 2016 for the engine. For comparison, the 2011 has 15 and the 2013 has 50.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical A8 year, for its age

#201 most complained-about 2012 vehicle

Complaints
11
Recalls
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Most common 2012 Audi A8 problems

Share of all 11 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2012 Audi A8 recalls 1

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Engine

16V6190009,067 vehicles affected

The problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Audi A8 vehicles manufactured May 15, 2010, to May 14, 2012. The affected vehicles have a coolant valve that may leak, allowing coolant to enter the engine control module causing a loss of power or the engine to stall.
The risk
A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the coolant valve and inspect for coolant that has leaked through the electrical connector, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 19, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

What owners say

Be the first A8 owner to share.

Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now

11 complaints about the 2012 Audi A8

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Engine & cooling

Check Engine ON. Diagnosed as cam shaft timing chain failure

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11420379
Electrical systemAirbags

Air bag light comes on and stays on even after the initial startup. Vehicle is stationary and has not been moved. Coded error is driver head curtain igniter short circuit to ground. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bags · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11330266
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 audi a8. The contact's vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign number: 16v619000 (engine and engine cooling). The recall repair was performed by fletcher jones audi (1523 w north ave, chicago, il 60642, (312) 628-4300). Two years after the repair was performed, the vehicle experienced sporadic engine leaks that caused the engine to shut off without warning. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 103,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11244939
Steering

Power steering pump mechanical malfunction/ no power assist customer states steering wheel is stiff no power assit. Power steering pump malfunction pump assembly failed and power steering pump

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11234264
Fuel systemEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 audi a8. While driving 45 mph, the electronic power control warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road and powered off the engine. The vehicle was restarted after 25 minutes and towed to audi nashville (located at 1576 mallory ln, brentwood, tn 37027, (855) 574-8043). The technician could not duplicate the failure, but informed the contact that a loose connection was found on the fuel pump control module. The...

Read the full complaint

vehicle was not repaired. On another occasion, while driving 65 mph, the vehicle stalled a second time. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 83,998. *Js

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasoline · EngineNHTSA 11222486
Engine & coolingFuel systemVisibility & wipers

I've recently had to replace both high pressure fuel pumps and cam followers at cost to myself even though audi extended the warranty due to premature failures on several audis. Apparently my vin wasn't in the list . I tried calling aoa for any assistance but was told because I only own one(apparently brand loyalty means buying 2 at a time) and I bought it from an independent dealer there was nothing they could do. I get all my work done at the local audi dealer. Since then I have also had to replace my windshield...

Read the full complaint

due to the seals failing and leaving me with a water fall in my car(i seen several people affected in forums). Not to mention the short in my mmi screen and tail light(some of the leds are out and the extended warranty I had refused to cover) that needs to be fixed but has to be put on hold due to my thermostat failing. I only have 113,950 miles and have been getting regular service. I have had many cars over the years and never had this many problems. Between the problems I'm having and the comments made by audi of america this may be my first and last audi.

Filed Incident Engine · Fuel / propulsion system · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11143725
Steering

Without notice, steering ceased to function while car was in motion. This failure occurred in a retail parking lot.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11043392
Fuel system

I took my car in for a recall item to be replaced and I was informed that my fuel rail was leaking gas. They didnt say it was urgent so I left the dealership and on my was home I has the strong smell of gas. I then took my car to another audi repair hop for a second opinion and was told that it was spraying fuel and that it was too dangerous to drive. He also said that my car was not old enough to have this type of leak so it may be a defect . He also said it appeared to have been leaking for some time based on the amount of residue he saw near the leak

Filed Incident Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10919989
Other & unknown

I was told this is a recurring issue, the antifreeze gets into the wiring harness and for me the engine shut down while driving down the highway. To fix the issue they have to take the engine out and replace the wire harness. A very expensive fix, I have it under warranty but was told I was lucky, which I assume means if I did not have the 100000 mile warranty I would be paying out of pocket. But if this is a common issue it should be a recall issue.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 10897268
Acceleration & cruise control

After starting the car it will travel or idle for 3-6 minutes (2-3 miles) then start to sputter and stall. During this time the yellow epc light and engine light are on. After sitting for 3-8 minutes it most often starts but will not idle or travel unless the epc light goes out. This restart may not be successful the first or second time. Running other software, air conditioning, and cruise control has no influence. Preliminary computer check suggests 14 faults. Further examination will be done after may 30, 2016.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10871300
AirbagsSeats & seat belts

Front seat passenger airbag repeatedly deactivates regardless of 115 pound adult sitting properly in the seat. Same issue happened with the a8 loaner vehicle provided while this car was being serviced. Audi tries to explain it "as designed" suggesting that the airbag would harm the passenger. *Tr

Filed Incident Air bags · SeatsNHTSA 10504480

Audi A8: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20160400-C
201532510Engine & coolingF
201418500Engine & coolingF
201350600Engine & coolingF
201211100Engine & coolingC
201115100Engine & coolingC
20101100Visibility & wipersA
20095110Body, doors & structureB
20088120AirbagsC
All A8 years

2012 Audi A8 vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

Own a 2012 Audi A8? Share your experience.

Your experience goes live straight away and helps every owner and buyer who checks this vehicle. Anonymous, free, no account.

Overall, how would you rate it? *

0/4000 · Please leave out names, phone numbers and your full VIN.

By posting you confirm it's your own, honest experience and agree to the rules. Safety defect? Also report it to NHTSA - that's how recalls start.

Questions about the 2012 Audi A8

Does the 2012 Audi A8 have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2012 Audi A8: engine (August 2016). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Audi A8?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (4), fuel system (3), airbags (2).

How many complaints has the 2012 Audi A8 had?

11 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on March 25, 2013 and the latest on June 10, 2021. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2012 Audi A8 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 53 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Audi A8 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Audi A8 years have the most complaints?

2013 (50), 2015 (32), 2014 (18). See every Audi A8 year compared.

What should I do if my 2012 Audi A8 has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

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

Owners helping owners

Know before you drive.

Every experience you share - good or bad - shows on that vehicle's page and helps the next owner and buyer. Two minutes, anonymous.

Share your experience