YearToAvoid

2015 Audi A8 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

93/100

#2 most-complained of 16 A8 years

The 2015 Audi A8 has a Complaint Index of 93, ranking 2nd worst out of 16 model years, with 31 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and Engine issues making up 61% of complaints. It's rated Avoid relative to other A8 years.

Complaints
31
Recalls
5
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
22
18.5 city / 29 hwy

Top 2015 Audi A8 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine19 (61%)
  2. Brakes4 (13%)
  3. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (13%)
  4. Electrical System3 (10%)
  5. Structure & Body3 (10%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (6%)
  7. Other2 (6%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain2 (6%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers2 (6%)
  10. Airbags1 (3%)

What owners report

  • Engine loses power and drops from highway speed to under 40 mph without warning, then stalls when the accelerator is pressed.
  • Engine stalls completely in traffic at a stoplight and fails to restart after multiple attempts.
  • Car vibrates at highway speeds above 35 mph, felt through the steering wheel, seats, and dashboard, even after wheels and tires were replaced.
  • Brakes vibrate violently during use, sometimes making it hard to control vehicle speed.
  • Vehicle randomly engages emergency automatic braking with no obstruction present, jolting occupants forward.
  • An oil separator failure caused a loud whistling sound at idle and rough running.
2015 Audi A8 complaints: complaints filed per month3Jun 2015Aug 2016May 2019Nov 2020Mar 2021Aug 2021Jan 2025
45 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2015 to Oct 2025; peak Aug 2015 (3).

2015 Audi A8 recalls

5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V178000Mar 23, 2022Engine26,093 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2013-2017 A8, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, and 2014-2017 RS7 vehicles. The turbocharger oil supply strainer can become blocked, causing wear to the bearings due to lack of lubrication.

    Risk: Worn bearings can cause the turbine wheel to contact the turbocharger housing or cause the shaft to break, causing an engine stall and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the oil strainer and perform an oil change, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 21H7.

  2. NHTSA 20V397000Jul 7, 2020Structure & Body12,964 vehicles

    Structure:body:hood

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Audi S8 and A8 vehicles. The seal around the engine compartment may come loose and contact hot engine components.

    Risk: If the seal contacts hot engine components, there could be an increased risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install a retaining plate to prevent the engine compartment seal from loosening. The recall began September 4, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 51G6.

  3. NHTSA 19V057000Jan 28, 2019Fuel System8,985 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A8 and S8 vehicles. The fuel supply line for the high pressure fuel pump may become porous and leak fuel.

    Risk: Leaking fuel, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of fire.

    Remedy: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will install a fuel pressure damper, free of charge. The recall began February 21, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20BM.

See all 5 recalls for the 2015 Audi A8 →

2015 Audi A8 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18.5 MPG
Highway
29 MPG
Combined
22 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,650
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.

2015 compared with other A8 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2013Avoid10049621
2014Avoid8018521
2015Avoid9331522
2016Caution6011422
2017Caution678322

All Audi A8 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2015 Audi A8 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2015 A8 has a Complaint Index of 93 and ranks 2nd worst among 16 model years of the A8, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other years.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Audi A8?
Engine problems account for 61% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 67,000 miles. Brakes and suspension issues each account for 13% of complaints.
Does the 2015 Audi A8 have recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2015 Audi A8, covering the turbocharger oil supply strainer, an engine compartment seal, and fuel supply line/fuel rail leaks.
How does the 2015 A8 compare to other A8 model years?
The 2015 A8 has a Complaint Index of 93, second only to the 2013 A8 at 100. By comparison, the 2021 A8 scored 40 and is rated Good.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.