Audi A8 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 233 consumer complaints across the 17 model years of the Audi A8 (1997–2021) that have at least 5 complaints. 2013 has the most, with 50. Across all years, the part named most often is engine (92 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All A8 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5 | — | 10 | 1,267 | — | Not enough data |
| 2019 | 14 | 24,526 | 3 | 1,327 | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 8 | 51,000 | 3 | 679 | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 11 | 43,500 | 4 | 872 | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 31 | 48,000 | 5 | 1,106 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2014 | 18 | 57,534 | 5 | 1,325 | — | Falling |
| 2013 | 50 | 62,500 | 6 | 1,505 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2012 | 11 | 79,628 | 1 | 1,106 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 15 | 81,500 | 1 | 991 | — | Falling |
| 2009 | 5 | 7,212 | 1 | 453 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 8 | 55,118 | 1 | 382 | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 6 | 44,000 | 2 | 278 | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 6 | 12,000 | 1 | 242 | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 20 | 28,000 | 1 | 202 | — | Stable |
| 2001 | 6 | 86,000 | 2 | 87 | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 9 | 61,404 | 4 | 52 | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 10 | 69,000 | 2 | 43 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Engine92 37%
- Electrical system33 13%
- Vehicle speed control23 9.3%
- Transmission and drivetrain22 8.9%
- Other or unknown21 8.5%
- Fuel system21 8.5%
- Brakes18 7.3%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)16 6.5%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2015: “Regular driving east bound on I-80 and after going up a hill my car couldn't go over 3500 rpms. Thought it was the ecu putting it into limp mode because of weather conditions. Turned out both my turbos blew at 67,000 miles and lead to total engine failure with metal shavings reaching the exhaust and loitering the oil pan.”
NHTSA complaint #11406015, filed 2021-04, 67,000 miles2013: “I was driving on the highway, the vehicle epc light came on. Vehicle began to run rough, and shortly after died out completely. Luckily there was no one behind me when the car died, and that I was in the right lane and was able to limp onto the shoulder. Waited for tow truck. Had car towed to dealer where a faulty turbocharger was diagnosed as the reason for vehicle breaking down”
NHTSA complaint #11319907, filed 2020-04, 71,462 miles2014: “Sunglasses holder will not stay closed and falls down blocking my rearview mirror. Tried several times to close it and it will not close. I cannot see clearly out of my rearview mirror which is hazardous to my driving when trying to switch lanes and/or tell how close someone is to my bumper to prevent my car from being rear ended. I'm worried that an accident may happen due to this issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11276994, filed 2019-10, 61,100 milesOther Audi models
2,893 complaintsAudi A6
1,653 complaintsAudi Q5
1,348 complaintsAudi Q7
1,052 complaintsAudi A3
727 complaintsAudi S4
577 complaintsAudi A5
324 complaintsAudi TT
306 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology