Audi A8 Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Audi A8 model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2002 drew the fewest (1) and the 2013 the most (49).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 1 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 18 |
| 2010 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 1 | Visibility | — | 18 |
| 2003 Among the fewest complaints |
3 | 1 | Exterior lighting | — | 18 |
| 2020 | 3 | 5 | Electrical system | — | 18–23 |
| 2007 | 4 | 2 | Air bags | — | 15–18 |
| 2009 | 5 | 1 | Electrical system | — | 15–18 |
| 2021 | 5 | 10 | Electrical system | — | 18–23 |
| 2001 | 6 | 2 | Power train | — | 18 |
| 2005 | 6 | 1 | Vehicle speed control | — | 15–18 |
| 2006 | 6 | 2 | Vehicle speed control | — | 15–18 |
| 2008 | 8 | 1 | Air bags | — | 15–18 |
| 2017 | 8 | 3 | Engine | — | 22 |
| 2012 | 11 | 1 | Engine | — | 16–21 |
| 2016 | 11 | 4 | Engine | — | 16–28 |
| 2019 | 14 | 3 | Electrical system | — | 18–22 |
| 2011 | 15 | 1 | Engine | — | 21 |
| 2014 | 18 | 5 | Engine | — | 15–28 |
| 2004 Among the most complaints |
20 | 1 | Visibility | — | 18 |
| 2015 Among the most complaints |
31 | 5 | Engine | — | 16–28 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
49 | 6 | Engine | — | 15–21 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Audi A8 years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2013 Audi A8: 49 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 36 (73%); Fuel/propulsion system 5 (10%); Service brakes 4 (8%).
Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 63,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2015 Audi A8: 31 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 17 (55%); Service brakes 4 (13%); Electrical system 3 (10%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 49,693 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2004 Audi A8: 20 complaints
Most-reported: Visibility 6 (30%); Vehicle speed control 5 (25%); Electrical system 4 (20%).
Reports mention 2 fires. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 28,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
The Audi A8 years with the fewest complaints
2002 Audi A8: 1 complaints
Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 1 (100%).
1 recall campaign listed.
2003 Audi A8: 3 complaints
Most-reported: Exterior lighting 1 (33%); Power train 1 (33%); Suspension 1 (33%).
1 recall campaign listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Audi A8 owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 31 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 49,693 |
| 2014 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 49 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 63,000 |
| 2012 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 83,998 |
| 2011 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 82,000 |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2009 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2008 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2007 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2006 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2005 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2004 | 20 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 28,000 |
| 2003 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2002 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2001 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Audi A8 recalls
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 (2019–2026 model years; 356,894 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2025; 25V900000)
- Rearview Display Inoperative/FMVSS 111 (2021 model year; 170,296 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2022; 22V742000)
- Air Bag Inflators May Underinflate Bag (1999 model year; 106,857 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2020; 20V056000)
- Power Outlet May Cause Charging Cable to Overheat (2020–2021 model years; 93,196 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2023; 23V842000)
- VW/TIE RODS (1999 model year; 83,000 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2000; 00V414000)
All 31 Audi A8 recall campaigns · Audi A8 problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Audi A8 years FAQ
Which Audi A8 year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2002 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Audi A8 years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2013, 2015 and 2004 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Audi A8 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (93 of 225 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Audi A8 have?
NHTSA lists 31 recall campaigns covering the Audi A8. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Audi A8 recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
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.