Audi A8 Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Audi A8 model years 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2019 are flagged to avoid, based on NHTSA complaints and recalls. 2013 ranks worst with a complaint index of 100, 49 complaints, and 6 recall campaigns, mostly tied to the engine. 2021 carries a "Good" verdict with a lower complaint index of 40.
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 166
- Recall campaigns
- 20
- Crashes reported
- 3
- Fires reported
- 1
- Top problem area
- Engine
A8 Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Audi A8 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | No verdict | 33 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Visibility & Wipers | 18 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 73 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 21 | — |
| 2012 | Caution | 53 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 21 | — |
| 2013 | Avoid | 100 | 49 | 0 | 0 | 6 | Engine | 21 | — |
| 2014 | Avoid | 80 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 5 | Engine | 21 | — |
| 2015 | Avoid | 93 | 31 | 1 | 0 | 5 | Engine | 22 | — |
| 2016 | Caution | 60 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Engine | 22 | — |
| 2017 | Caution | 67 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 22 | — |
| 2018 | No verdict | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | 20.5 | — |
| 2019 | Avoid | 87 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 20 | — |
| 2020 | No verdict | 47 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 | Electrical System | 21 | — |
| 2021 | Good | 40 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 10 | Electrical System | 21 | — |
| 2022 | No verdict | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | — | 22 | — |
| 2023 | No verdict | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | 22 | — |
| 2024 | No verdict | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | 22 | — |
| 2025 | No verdict | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | 22 | — |
A8 years to avoid: what went wrong
2013 Audi A8 Index 100 · 49 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2013 A8 has the highest complaint index (100) and the most complaints (49) of any A8 year, with 6 recall campaigns. Engine problems dominate, making up 76% of complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 64,500. Owners reported sudden loss of power, stalling, and rough running tied to a blocked turbocharger oil strainer, which is covered by recall 22V178000. Additional recalls address a loose engine compartment seal and a porous fuel supply line that can leak fuel. Fuel system complaints also cluster around 63,000 miles, and some owners reported brake pedal placement issues.
2015 Audi A8 Index 93 · 31 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2015 A8 has a complaint index of 93, the second-worst among all years, with 31 complaints and 5 recalls. Engine problems represent 61% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 67,000. Owners reported vibration above 35 mph affecting the steering wheel and seats, plus brake pedal placement issues that caused unintended pedal overlap. One crash and one injury were reported for this model year. The same three engine, seal, and fuel-line recalls carried over from 2013 and 2014 also apply to 2015.
2019 Audi A8 Index 87 · 14 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2019 A8 has a complaint index of 87, with 14 complaints and 3 recalls, and stands apart from the other avoid years because its top problem area is the electrical system (57% of complaints) rather than the engine. Owners reported the vehicle losing motive power and stalling after an "Electrical Malfunction" message, with a median failure mileage of 45,000. Other owners described hesitation of several seconds after pressing the accelerator followed by abrupt acceleration. One crash was reported. Recalls cover a missing sealing pin in the engine control module connector and a rearview camera software error.
2014 Audi A8 Index 80 · 18 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2014 A8 ranks fourth-worst with a complaint index of 80, 18 complaints, and 5 recalls. Engine complaints account for 67% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 57,534. Owners described turbo failure with metal contamination, engine stalling that required towing, and an EPC warning light preceding loss of power. The same turbocharger oil strainer recall (22V178000) and engine compartment seal recall (20V397000) that affect the 2013 also apply here. Fuel system complaints made up 17% of reports, tied to the porous fuel line recall (19V057000).
Most common Audi A8 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine99 (60%)
- Electrical System23 (14%)
- Other21 (13%)
- Fuel System16 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires13 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain13 (8%)
- Brakes11 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers10 (6%)
- Steering9 (5%)
- Structure & Body9 (5%)
Frequently asked questions
- What Audi A8 years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2019 as the Audi A8 years to avoid. The 2013 model year has the highest complaint index (100), the most complaints (49), and 6 recall campaigns.
- Is the 2013 Audi A8 reliable?
- The 2013 A8 has the worst complaint record of any A8 year, with a complaint index of 100 and 49 complaints, 76% of them involving the engine, at a median failure mileage of 64,500.
- What is the best Audi A8 year based on complaints?
- No A8 year earns a top "Best" verdict in this data, but 2021 is rated "Good" with a complaint index of 40, the lowest among years with a verdict.
- Does the Audi A8 have engine problems?
- Engine issues are the top problem area across all A8 years, accounting for 99 of 166 total complaints (60%), concentrated heavily in the 2013, 2014, and 2015 model years.
- Are there recalls for the Audi A8 turbocharger?
- Yes. Recall 22V178000 covers 2013-2017 A8 models for a turbocharger oil supply strainer that can become blocked, wearing the bearings from lack of lubrication.