2016 Audi A8 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 Audi A8 has a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 65, ranked 8th worst of 21 model years. Engine problems dominate, making up 55% of its 11 complaints, with 4 recalls covering engine, fuel system, and body seal issues.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 65/100
- #8 of 21 A8 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 11
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 18.5 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2016 Audi A8 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine6 (55%)
- Other2 (18%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (18%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (9%)
- Fuel System1 (9%)
- Lane Departure1 (9%)
- Structure & Body1 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (9%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Turbochargers fail suddenly, causing the engine to shut down while driving on the highway or city streets, sometimes with steering and brakes stiffening afterward.
- Some owners report the car becomes hard to restart after a turbo-related shutdown, requiring repeated attempts.
- A front tire flattened after striking a pothole at 30 mph, with the tire pressure monitoring system failing to alert the driver at 3,500 miles.
- After receiving a recall repair for turbo internals, at least one owner reported the underlying stalling issue was not actually fixed.
- A windshield camera module stopped working, disabling cruise control and triggering ABS error codes for an extended period with no repair available.
2016 Audi A8 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
2016 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.
2016 compared with other A8 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Audi A8 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2016 A8 a complaint index of 65, ranked 8th worst among 21 model years of the A8, earning a Caution verdict. Engine complaints, mostly turbocharger-related, account for 55% of the 11 complaints on file.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Audi A8?
- Engine issues lead, making up 55% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 45,000 miles, mostly related to turbocharger failures causing stalling. Suspension and wheel complaints follow at 18%, often tied to tire and TPMS issues.
- Does the 2016 Audi A8 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 A8, covering a blocked turbocharger oil strainer, a loose engine compartment seal that can contact hot parts, and two separate fuel system leak issues involving the fuel supply line and fuel rails.
- How does the 2016 A8 compare to other A8 model years?
- The 2016 A8's complaint index of 65 is worse than the 2005, 2006, 2009, and 2012 model years but better than 2013 (index 100), 2015 (95), 2019 (90), 2014 (85), 2011 (80), and 2008 (75), which all carry Avoid verdicts.