2012 Audi A8 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2012 Audi A8 has 11 NHTSA complaints and 1 recall, giving it a complaint index of 60 and a Caution verdict — rank 9 of 21 model years. Engine problems (45% of complaints) and fuel system issues dominate owner reports.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #9 of 21 A8 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 11
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2012 Audi A8 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine5 (45%)
- Fuel System3 (27%)
- Airbags2 (18%)
- Other2 (18%)
- Steering2 (18%)
- Electrical System1 (9%)
- Structure & Body1 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (9%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine stalls or fails to idle a few minutes after startup, accompanied by the yellow EPC and check-engine lights.
- Fuel rail or fuel line leaks that cause a strong gas smell and, in one case, were described as spraying fuel.
- High-pressure fuel pump and cam follower failures reported as premature, even after a related warranty extension.
- Steering suddenly loses function or power assist while the vehicle is in motion or parked.
- Front passenger airbag repeatedly deactivates even with an adult properly seated, which Audi described as functioning 'as designed'.
- Airbag warning light stays on due to a coded driver head curtain igniter short circuit.
2012 Audi A8 recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V619000Aug 24, 2016Engine9,067 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Audi A8 vehicles manufactured May 15, 2010, to May 14, 2012. The affected vehicles have a coolant valve that may leak, allowing coolant to enter the engine control module causing a loss of power or the engine to stall.
Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the coolant valve and inspect for coolant that has leaked through the electrical connector, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 19, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
2012 Audi A8 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other A8 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Audi A8 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 11 complaints and 1 recall for the 2012 A8, producing a complaint index of 60 and a Caution verdict — worse than most A8 years but not the worst.
- What problems does the 2012 Audi A8 have?
- Owners most often reported engine issues (45% of complaints), including stalling and EPC light activation, along with fuel system leaks, steering assist loss, and airbag warning faults.
- Does the 2012 Audi A8 have a recall?
- Yes, one recall (16V619000) covers a coolant valve that may leak coolant into the engine, affecting 2010-2013 A8 models built between May 2010 and May 2012.
- How does the 2012 A8 compare to other A8 years?
- The 2012 A8 ranks 9th worst of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 60 versus a high of 100 for the 2013 model, which is rated Avoid.
- At what mileage do 2012 Audi A8 problems typically appear?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 79,627.5 miles across all reported issues for the 2012 A8.