Audi A8 years to avoid (and the best years)
146 NHTSA owner complaints and 10 recalls across 7 model years, 2011 to 2019. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 146complaints
- 10recalls
- 2reported crashes
- 0reported fires
- 1reported injuries
Which Audi A8 years should you avoid?
No Audi A8 model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Audi A8 year has 15 complaints on file.
What are the best Audi A8 years?
The Audi A8 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2016 (10), 2012 (11) and 2019 (12). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 12 | 0.8× | 3 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2016 | 10 | 0.7× | 4 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2015 | 31 | 2.1× | 5 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2014 | 18 | 1.2× | 5 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2013 | 49 | 3.3× | 6 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2012 | 11 | 0.7× | 1 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2011 | 15 | 1.0× | 1 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 15 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain8 (53%)
- Electrical & infotainment4 (27%)
- Steering, suspension & tires2 (13%)
- Structure & body1 (7%)
Recalls (10)
Safety · 25V900000 · Dec 2025 · model year 2019
A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Engine · 22V178000 · Mar 2022 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
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.
Engine · 21V111000 · Feb 2021 · model year 2019
An engine control module malfunction may cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Structure · 20V397000 · Jul 2020 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
If the seal contacts hot engine components, there could be an increased risk of a fire.
Safety · 19V415000 · Jun 2019 · model year 2019
A failure of the seat track rivet increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Fuel system · 19V057000 · Jan 2019 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Leaking fuel, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of fire.
Fuel system · 19V035000 · Jan 2019 · model years 2015, 2016
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.
Fuel system · 18V430000 · Jun 2018 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Engine · 16V619000 · Aug 2016 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013
A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 13V448000 · Sep 2013 · model years 2013, 2014
Should the sunroof's glass break while the vehicle is in use, the falling glass could injure the driver or passengers. It could also distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.