Audi A8 complaints by model year
252 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 2020 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| 2019 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 2017 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 2016 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2015 | 31 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 2014 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 2013 | 49 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 2012 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2011 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2009 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2008 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 2007 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2006 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2005 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2004 | 20 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 2003 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2001 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2000 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 1999 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| 1998 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 1997 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 1996 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →
Problem areas by model year
Complaints that name each component, 2011–2021. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.
| Component | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 10 | 4 | 36 | 12 | 17 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Power train | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Audi A8 recalls (31)
Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one A8 model year, newest first.
| Campaign | Filed | What | Model years | Repaired |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25V900000 | Dec 19, 2025 | Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 | 2019–2026 | 58.2% |
| 25V201000 | Mar 31, 2025 | Instrument Panel Display Failure | 2021 | 82.1% |
| 24V251000 | Apr 3, 2024 | Front Passenger Air Bag May Deactivate | 2024 | 91.2% |
| 23V842000 | Dec 13, 2023 | Power Outlet May Cause Charging Cable to Overheat | 2020, 2021 | 88.5% |
| 23V084000 | Feb 15, 2023 | Improperly Folded Passenger Air Bag/FMVSS 208 | 2022, 2023 | 97.8% |
| 22V806000 | Oct 26, 2022 | Inoperative Rearview Camera Display/FMVSS 111 | 2021, 2022 | 93% |
| 22V742000 | Oct 5, 2022 | Rearview Display Inoperative/FMVSS 111 | 2021 | 95.2% |
| 22V471000 | Jul 1, 2022 | Inflator May Explode or Underinflate Air Bag | 1998 | — |
| 22V178000 | Mar 23, 2022 | Blocked Turbocharger Oil Strainer | 2013–2017 | 85.1% |
| 22V034000 | Jan 26, 2022 | Rear Axle May Be Misaligned | 2020, 2021 | 98.5% |
| 21V825000 | Oct 20, 2021 | Rear-View Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 | 2021 | 97.9% |
| 21V606000 | Aug 5, 2021 | Seat Belt Locking Retractor Malfunction/FMVSS 208 | 2021 | 98.5% |
| 21V295000 | Apr 26, 2021 | Rear Axle Lock Nuts May Break | 2020, 2021 | 98.7% |
| 21V111000 | Feb 24, 2021 | Engine Control Module Malfunction | 2019, 2020, 2021 | 99.2% |
| 20V397000 | Jul 7, 2020 | Engine Compartment Seal May Detach | 2013–2018 | 89% |
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.
Check on NHTSA ↗Fuel economy by model year
EPA combined mpg range across engine and transmission configurations. Your mileage will vary. Source: EPA, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Where to next
Audi A8 FAQ
How many recalls has the Audi A8 had?
NHTSA lists 31 recall campaigns that cover at least one Audi A8 model year from 1996 to 2021. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.
Which Audi A8 year has the most complaints?
Among the last 15 model years with settled counts, the 2013 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (49) and the 2010 the fewest (1). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.
What are the most common Audi A8 problems?
Across the 2011–2021 model years, owners most often name the engine, electrical system, unknown or other in complaints filed with NHTSA.
What mpg does the Audi A8 get?
EPA rates the 2026 Audi A8 at 22 mpg combined, depending on engine and transmission.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.