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Audi A8Model year report

2012 Audi A8 Problems

Complaints
11filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
79,628miles, 10 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 4.2L 8-cyl AWD · 18 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Audi A8 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2012 Audi A8. The part named most often is engine, with 4 complaints (36% of the total), followed by fuel system (3) and air bags (2). 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 20% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 79,628 miles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 1,106 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 62 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 42 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Engine: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11143725, filed 2018-10, 109,500 miles

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”

NHTSA complaint #10919989, filed 2016-10, 75,257 miles

Air bags: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #11330266, filed 2020-06, 121,000 miles

Other or 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.”

NHTSA complaint #10897268, filed 2016-08, 38,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

20% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 56,000 and 109,500 miles.

10%0–100%10–2510%25–5020%50–7520%75–10030%100–15010%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (10 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 79,628 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

201320163201720182019320202021
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2012 Audi A8 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
A8 AWD4.2L 8-cyl8-speed automatic182821$3,900
A8 L AWD4.2L 8-cyl8-speed automatic182821$3,900
A8 L AWD6.3L 12-cyl8-speed automatic142116$5,150

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2012 Audi A8 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1,106 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 1,106 bulletins →

Other model years of the Audi A8

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20215—10—21—Not enough data
20191424,5263—22—Not enough data
2017851,0003—22—Not enough data
20161143,5004—22—Not enough data
20153148,0005—22Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20141857,5345—21—Falling
20135062,5006—21Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20121179,6281—21—Not enough data
20111581,5001—21—Falling
200957,2121—18—Not enough data
2008855,1181—18—Not enough data
2006644,0002—18—Not enough data
2005612,0001—18—Not enough data
20042028,0001—18—Stable
2001686,0002—18—Not enough data
1999961,4044—18—Not enough data
19971069,0002—18—Not enough data

All Audi A8 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Audi A8 have?

NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2012 Audi A8 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 Audi A8 is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 4 complaints (36% of the total), followed by fuel system with 3.

Has the 2012 Audi A8 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Audi A8 get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Audi A8 (A8, 4.2L 8-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Audi A8 reported?

Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 79,628 miles and the middle half falls between 56,000 and 109,500 miles; 20% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.