2015 Audi A8

Routine

Owners filed 31 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 5 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine17
000
Service Brakes4
000
Wheels2
000
Power Train2
000
Visibility/Wiper1
000
Vehicle Speed Control1
000
Suspension1
000
Structure › Body1
000
Lane Departure › Blind Spot Detection1
000
Air Bags1
101

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/Supercharger22V178000
Filed Mar 23, 202226,093 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Structure › Body › Hood20V397000
Filed Jul 7, 202012,964 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings19V057000
Filed Jan 28, 20198,985 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail19V035000
Filed Jan 16, 201974,881 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Q7, A6 and A7 vehicles, and 2015-2018 Audi A8 vehicles. The left and right fuel rails may leak fuel.

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.

Remedy. Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the left and right fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 24DP.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings18V430000
Filed Jun 25, 20186,633 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Audi S8 and A8 vehicles. The fuel supply line for the high pressure fuel pump may become porous over time, resulting in a fuel leak.

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line, free of charge. The recall began July 20, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AV.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Suspension
Filed Oct 7, 2025NM

So I purchased a vehicle from wright drive in El Paso, Texas. I was driving home back to Alamogordo which is 90 miles away, maybe 80 I realized there was no adaptive cruise control. So I messaged dealership. They told me that there was nothing they could do. It's not a safety issue. I got the vehicle home the next day. I found out the whole front suspension was bad. I kept hearing a noise when I would drive over bumps and it was really loud. I contacted the dealership, told them that the suspension was bad. They told me to take it to Audi to have them look at it. It came out to like $8,000 worth of repairs. They told me they would not pay that and I could return the vehicle for a full refund. I told them okay. I would be there in 3 days because I was working. They said that was fine. I get there 3 days later they told me that was no longer an option. So I got stuck with the car that needed $8,000 worth of repairs and then another four for more suspension parts. New breaks the 3,000 to fix the adaptive cruise control. I understand the adaptive cruise control is not really a big deal but the fact that they lied about me being able to return the vehicle and now I'm stuck with the vehicle thing that I've paid more fixing a suspension then the car is even worth. I'm a single father with two kids. I cannot afford to keep paying for a car that they should have taken back to begin with because it's illegal to sell a vehicle that has saved the issues

Engine
Filed Jan 5, 2025TX

Yet another beautiful Audi 3.0tfsi with the rocker arm failure … how is there not a class action lawsuit already ? I have a knock in my valve train and I just bought this car two days ago …. Audi should be liable to fix this because I didn’t know nothing about this and with a quick search it’s alike a epidemic of the same problem..

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Feb 22, 2024NY

Water leaking from passenger side top right corner from windshield. Glass isn’t damaged. Just started leaking for no reason

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 17, 2024NY

Leaking windshield on passenger side top left corner

Engine
Filed Apr 12, 2022110,000 milesNY

The contact owns a 2015 Audi A8. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle that stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

Engine
Filed Feb 13, 2022NY

With out any prior warning the car began to sputter and then lost power while I was on the highway. I had the vehicle towed to the dealership and found the Turbos failed which caused the problem. This car has been well maintained and serviced by the dealership. It now has a $14000.00 repair bill.

Engine
Filed Feb 1, 2022IL

Turbo chargers failed on highway at highway speeds leading major loss of power in a passing situation nearly causing an accident then the car stalled at exit ramp

Engine
Filed Aug 18, 2021CT

Engine stalled as i approached departure terminal at Newark airport. Dealer has inspected and determined the Turbo Impeller is bent and requires replacement. Car will not run. This is a known problem on Audi turbo engines apparently. Just prior to stalling the oil low light came on then the car stalled out creating a hazardous safety situation for a perfectly well maintained car.

Engine
Filed Jun 15, 2021OH

The stock turbo when right in the middle of traffic at 60,000 miles. Almost died in traffic as the car would not move out of the road. This is not exclusive to A8 but to all the audi cars with the 4.0T engine across many vehicle years. An OEM turbo should last 150k-200k miles (half that if aftermarket). Cost $10k to replace.

Engine
Filed May 16, 2021IL

Car stalled in left turn lane. Restarted with difficulty, and loss of power. No warning lights. Diagnosed by dealer to be failed twin turbochargers. 45688 miles. Replaced under extended warranty. Dangerous as car stalled in an intersection with no prior warning.

Engine
Filed Apr 5, 202149,693 milesIL

MY CAR'S ENGINE STARTED STUTTERING AND IDLING VERY ROUGHLY WHILE EXITING THE EXPRESSWAY. THE EC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON. IT CONTINUED TO SHUTTER, AND SHAKE, UNTIL IT SHUT OFF. IT WOULDN'T RESTART, AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE ISSUE, AND REPORTED THE TURBOS HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY AND SCORING ON THE SURFACE OF THE HOUSING, CAUSED BY THE EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE TURBOS. TURBOCHARGERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

Engine
Filed Apr 1, 202167,000 milesCA

REGULAR DRIVING EAST BOUND ON I-80 AND AFTER GOING UP A HILL MY CAR COULDN'T GO OVER 3500 RPMS. THOUGHT IT WAS THE ECU PUTTING IT INTO LIMP MODE BECAUSE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS. TURNED OUT BOTH MY TURBOS BLEW AT 67,000 MILES AND LEAD TO TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE WITH METAL SHAVINGS REACHING THE EXHAUST AND LOITERING THE OIL PAN.

Engine
Filed Mar 12, 202185,000 milesIN

AFTER GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE JUST QUIT. FORTUNATELY WE WERE AT A STOP SIGN AT THE END OF THE OFF-RAMP. THERE WAS NO WARNING AND WE WERE NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR TO MOVE IT OUT OF TRAFFIC NOR COULD WE SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. HAD THIS HAPPENED A FEW MINUTES EARLIER, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAVELING AT 70 MPH. FORTUNATELY, MY SON WAS DRIVING, BECAUSE AT MY AGE HAD THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THERE IS NO WAY I COULD HAVE STEERED IT TO SAFETY WITHOUT POWER STEERING. I KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST INCIDENT OF THIS HAPPENING TO THIS MODEL CAR. IT SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. IT'S A SHAME THAT AUDI IS FORCING ITS CUSTOMERS TO COVER THE COST OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE.

Engine
Filed Feb 24, 202148,000 milesMA

ENGINE SHUT DOWN AT HIGHWAY SPEED ~65MPH WHILE DECELERATING INTO TOLL BOOTH OUR TO TURBO FAILURE. COMPLETE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. LOST POWER IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. DANGEROUSLY NAVIGATED THROUGH EZPASS LANE WITHOUT POWER. HAZARDS ON. DANGEROUSLY NAVIGATED TO SHOULDER, COASTING, WITH NO ENGINE POWER. CAME TO COMPLETE STOP ON SHOULDER. WAS ABLE TO RESTART MOTOR AND DROVE DIRECTLY TO AUDI DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED KNOWN TURBO FAILURE PROBLEM ON VEHICLE MODEL. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DEADLY CONDITION AND NEEDS TO BE FEDERALLY ADDRESSED. AUDI HAS A 2015 SUPPLEMENT TO EMISSIONS WARRANTY IDENTIFYING THE TURBO FAILURES AND THERE IS A FEDERAL STATUE TO EXTENT THIS CORRECTION TO 7YR 70K MILES. REGARDLESS, IT SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL.

Power Train
Filed Feb 5, 202157,000 milesTN

TURBO FAILURE AT 57,000 MILES. CAR DIED WHILE IN TRAFFIC WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD.

Power Train
Filed Jan 16, 2021OH

THE DRIVER SEAT BADGES A BACK AND FORTH A LITTLE BIT AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ROUGHLY IN DYNAMIC MODE AND THERE IS A BIG VIBRATION WHEN CAR IS SHIFTING GEARS

Lane Departure › Blind Spot Detection
Filed Dec 13, 202045,000 milesMI

FRONT COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE IN THE HEADS UP DISPLAY AND THE AUDIO PORTION OF THE ALARM IS NOT AUDIBLE. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE NO RESOLUTION. THE BLIND SIDE WARNING SYSTEM HAS NO AUDIO.

Engine
Filed Nov 24, 2020833,457 milesAL

BAD WATER PUMP AND CROSS BAR

Engine
Filed Apr 14, 202015 milesCT

CAR RAN ROUGH ON THE WAY HOME FROM PICKING UP TAKE OUT DINNER - METALLIC, RAPID POPPING SOUND COMING FROM ENGINE BAY (FAINT WITH WINDOW UP). CAR DIED WHILE SLOWING AT A STOP LIGHT AND WOULD NOT TURN ON - STEERING WHEEL ALSO LOCKED, POWER BRAKES FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO BRING MY CAR TO A STOP BEFORE STRIKING A BOULDER USING NON-POWER BRAKES. CAR WAS TOWED TO NEAREST AUDI DEALERSHIP AND I WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH (!) TURBOS FAILED AT JUST OVER 70,000 MILES AND METICULOUS SERVICE. OIL WAS CHANGED AT HALF THE RECOMMENDED INTERVAL (@5,000 MILES). EXPENSIVE REPAIR THAT SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE (AND EXTREMELY FREQUENTLY FROM OWNER REPORTS) THAT ALSO LED TO A COMPLETELY LOSS OF CONTROL AND SOME BRAKE FUNCTION. AUDI HAS A TSB ON THE ISSUE, BUT WONDERING WHY THE DOT/NHTSA HAS YET TO ENFORCE A RECALL? *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 21, 202050,000 milesPA

I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION AND MY AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY CAUSING ME A HEAD INJURY. MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY SITING IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED $16,000.00 IN REPAIR COST.

20 of 31 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2013
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20260100Routine
20250100Routine
20240200Routine
20230200Routine
20220300Routine
202151000Routine
20203510Routine
201914300Routine
20180200Routine
20178300Routine
201611400Routine
2015 — this page31500Routine
201418500Routine
201349600Routine
201211100Routine
201115100Routine
20101100Routine
20095100Routine
20088100Routine
20074200Routine
20066200Routine
20056110Routine
200420120Routine
20033100Routine
20021100Routine
20016200Routine
20003210Routine
19999410Routine
19984300Routine
199710200Routine
19961200Routine
19950100Routine

Compare every A8 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 23, 2022. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.