YearToAvoid

2015 Audi A8 Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 19 engine complaints for the 2015 Audi A8, 61% of all complaints filed for the year, with a median failure mileage of 67,000. A related recall (22V178000) covers a turbocharger oil supply strainer that can block and wear bearings.

Engine complaints
19
61% of 31
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
67,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Engine stalls or shuts down suddenly at highway speed, sometimes while decelerating or exiting a ramp, with no warning lights.
  • Turbochargers fail or blow, in some cases both turbos, leading to loss of power, rough idling, or total engine failure with metal shavings found in the oil pan.
  • Vehicle loses power and cannot exceed a low RPM or speed ceiling, resembling a limp-mode condition, before turbo failure is confirmed.
  • Oil separator failure produces a loud whistling sound at idle and rough running, which owners describe as a known issue.
  • Engine will not restart after stalling, sometimes accompanied by loss of power steering or power brakes, forcing the driver to coast to a stop.

When 2015 Audi A8 engine complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 20, 2015, latest Jan 5, 2025.

2015 Audi A8 engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Aug 2015May 2019Apr 2020Mar 2021Jun 2021Apr 2022
19 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2015 to Jan 2025; peak Apr 2021 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2015 Audi A8

  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.

Engine complaints by A8 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20100 (0%)
  2. 201110 (67%)
  3. 20125 (45%)
  4. 201337 (76%)
  5. 201412 (67%)
  6. 201519 (61%)
  7. 20166 (55%)
  8. 20174 (50%)
  9. 20180 (0%)
  10. 20194 (29%)
  11. 20201 (33%)
  12. 20211 (20%)
  13. 20220 (0%)
  14. 20230 (0%)
  15. 20240 (0%)
  16. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine complaints on the 2015 Audi A8?
NHTSA lists 19 engine complaints for the 2015 A8, which is 61% of the 31 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for engine or turbo problems on the 2015 Audi A8?
Yes. Recall 22V178000, reported March 23, 2022, covers a turbocharger oil supply strainer that can become blocked and wear the bearings; dealers replace the strainer and change the oil for free.
At what mileage do 2015 Audi A8 engine problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints on this model year is 67,000 miles.
Were there crashes or injuries linked to these engine complaints?
NHTSA records show 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries among the reported engine complaints for the 2015 Audi A8.
Is the 2015 Audi A8 worse than other years for engine complaints?
Engine complaints made up 61% of all complaints for 2015, close to 2014's 67% and 2016's 55%, but below 2013's 76% share.

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.