Owners have filed 17 complaints
about the 2012 Audi A8 with NHTSA between 2013 and 2021.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 14 of 14 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 37
Against the median year of the Audi A8. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 21
13% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2012 Audi A8
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
423.5%
Median failure at 103,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
317.6%
Median failure at 83,998 miles
Other & Unspecified
211.8%
Median failure at 79,500 miles
Steering
211.8%
Median failure at 111,123 miles
Airbags
211.8%
Median failure at 61,000 miles
Seats
15.9%
Median failure at 1,000 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
15.9%
Median failure at 109,500 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
15.9%
Median failure at 56,000 miles
Electrical System
15.9%
Median failure at 121,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
212.5%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
16.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
212.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
318.8%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
743.8%
150,000+ miles
16.3%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2012 Audi A8 4 DR AWD
—
—
—
—
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 2013peak 3Jun 2021
Recalls on the 2012 Audi A8
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2016409452 units in Canada
Electrical
On certain vehicles, engine coolant could leak through a coolant valve connection. This could cause coolant to migrate into the engine control module, potentially resulting in an electrical short and an engine stall. This would result in a loss of motive power, which could increase the risk of a crash. Correction: Dealers will replace the coolant valve, inspect for coolant migration and repair as necessary.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Pittsburgh, PA
ENGINE
Check Engine ON. Diagnosed as cam shaft timing chain failure
NHTSA complaint #11420379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 121,000 milesManakin Sabot, VA
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON EVEN AFTER THE INITIAL STARTUP. VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND HAS NOT BEEN MOVED. CODED ERROR IS DRIVER HEAD CURTAIN IGNITER SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND.
NHTSA complaint #11330266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 121,000 milesManakin Sabot, VA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON EVEN AFTER THE INITIAL STARTUP. VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND HAS NOT BEEN MOVED. CODED ERROR IS DRIVER HEAD CURTAIN IGNITER SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND.
NHTSA complaint #11330266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 121,000 milesManakin Sabot, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON EVEN AFTER THE INITIAL STARTUP. VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND HAS NOT BEEN MOVED. CODED ERROR IS DRIVER HEAD CURTAIN IGNITER SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND.
NHTSA complaint #11330266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,000 milesForest Park, IL
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A8. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V619000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED BY FLETCHER JONES AUDI (1523 W NORTH AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60642, (312) 628-4300). TWO YEARS AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SPORADIC ENGINE LEAKS THAT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
NHTSA complaint #11244939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,247 milesPiscataway, NJ
STEERING
POWER STEERING PUMP MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION/ NO POWER ASSIST CUSTOMER STATES STEERING WHEEL IS STIFF NO POWER ASSIT. POWER STEERING PUMP MALFUNCTION PUMP ASSEMBLY FAILED AND POWER STEERING PUMP
NHTSA complaint #11234264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,998 milesNashville, TN
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A8. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC POWER CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER 25 MINUTES AND TOWED TO AUDI NASHVILLE (LOCATED AT 1576 MALLORY LN, BRENTWOOD, TN 37027, (855) 574-8043). THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, BUT INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A LOOSE CONNECTION WAS FOUND ON THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,998.
NHTSA complaint #11222486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,998 milesNashville, TN
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A8. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC POWER CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER 25 MINUTES AND TOWED TO AUDI NASHVILLE (LOCATED AT 1576 MALLORY LN, BRENTWOOD, TN 37027, (855) 574-8043). THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, BUT INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A LOOSE CONNECTION WAS FOUND ON THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,998.
NHTSA complaint #11222486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 109,500 milesHarvest, AL
ENGINE
I'VE RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE BOTH HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMPS AND CAM FOLLOWERS AT COST TO MYSELF EVEN THOUGH AUDI EXTENDED THE WARRANTY DUE TO PREMATURE FAILURES ON SEVERAL AUDIS. APPARENTLY MY VIN WASN'T IN THE LIST . I TRIED CALLING AOA FOR ANY ASSISTANCE BUT WAS TOLD BECAUSE I ONLY OWN ONE(APPARENTLY BRAND LOYALTY MEANS BUYING 2 AT A TIME) AND I BOUGHT IT FROM AN INDEPENDENT DEALER THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I GET ALL MY WORK DONE AT THE LOCAL AUDI DEALER. SINCE THEN I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY WINDSHIELD DUE TO THE SEALS FAILING AND LEAVING ME WITH A WATER FALL IN MY CAR(I SEEN SEVERAL PEOPLE AFFECTED IN FORUMS). NOT TO MENTION THE SHORT IN MY MMI SCREEN AND TAIL LIGHT(SOME OF THE LEDS ARE OUT AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I HAD REFUSED TO COVER) THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED BUT HAS TO BE PUT ON HOLD DUE TO MY THERMOSTAT FAILING. I ONLY HAVE 113,950 MILES AND HAVE BEEN GETTING REGULAR SERVICE. I HAVE HAD MANY CARS OVER THE YEARS AND NEVER HAD THIS MANY PROBLEMS. BETWEEN THE PROBLEMS I'M HAVING AND THE COMMENTS MADE BY AUDI OF AMERICA THIS MAY BE MY FIRST AND LAST AUDI.
NHTSA complaint #11143725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 109,500 milesHarvest, AL
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I'VE RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE BOTH HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMPS AND CAM FOLLOWERS AT COST TO MYSELF EVEN THOUGH AUDI EXTENDED THE WARRANTY DUE TO PREMATURE FAILURES ON SEVERAL AUDIS. APPARENTLY MY VIN WASN'T IN THE LIST . I TRIED CALLING AOA FOR ANY ASSISTANCE BUT WAS TOLD BECAUSE I ONLY OWN ONE(APPARENTLY BRAND LOYALTY MEANS BUYING 2 AT A TIME) AND I BOUGHT IT FROM AN INDEPENDENT DEALER THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I GET ALL MY WORK DONE AT THE LOCAL AUDI DEALER. SINCE THEN I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY WINDSHIELD DUE TO THE SEALS FAILING AND LEAVING ME WITH A WATER FALL IN MY CAR(I SEEN SEVERAL PEOPLE AFFECTED IN FORUMS). NOT TO MENTION THE SHORT IN MY MMI SCREEN AND TAIL LIGHT(SOME OF THE LEDS ARE OUT AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I HAD REFUSED TO COVER) THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED BUT HAS TO BE PUT ON HOLD DUE TO MY THERMOSTAT FAILING. I ONLY HAVE 113,950 MILES AND HAVE BEEN GETTING REGULAR SERVICE. I HAVE HAD MANY CARS OVER THE YEARS AND NEVER HAD THIS MANY PROBLEMS. BETWEEN THE PROBLEMS I'M HAVING AND THE COMMENTS MADE BY AUDI OF AMERICA THIS MAY BE MY FIRST AND LAST AUDI.
NHTSA complaint #11143725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 109,500 milesHarvest, AL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I'VE RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE BOTH HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMPS AND CAM FOLLOWERS AT COST TO MYSELF EVEN THOUGH AUDI EXTENDED THE WARRANTY DUE TO PREMATURE FAILURES ON SEVERAL AUDIS. APPARENTLY MY VIN WASN'T IN THE LIST . I TRIED CALLING AOA FOR ANY ASSISTANCE BUT WAS TOLD BECAUSE I ONLY OWN ONE(APPARENTLY BRAND LOYALTY MEANS BUYING 2 AT A TIME) AND I BOUGHT IT FROM AN INDEPENDENT DEALER THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I GET ALL MY WORK DONE AT THE LOCAL AUDI DEALER. SINCE THEN I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY WINDSHIELD DUE TO THE SEALS FAILING AND LEAVING ME WITH A WATER FALL IN MY CAR(I SEEN SEVERAL PEOPLE AFFECTED IN FORUMS). NOT TO MENTION THE SHORT IN MY MMI SCREEN AND TAIL LIGHT(SOME OF THE LEDS ARE OUT AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I HAD REFUSED TO COVER) THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED BUT HAS TO BE PUT ON HOLD DUE TO MY THERMOSTAT FAILING. I ONLY HAVE 113,950 MILES AND HAVE BEEN GETTING REGULAR SERVICE. I HAVE HAD MANY CARS OVER THE YEARS AND NEVER HAD THIS MANY PROBLEMS. BETWEEN THE PROBLEMS I'M HAVING AND THE COMMENTS MADE BY AUDI OF AMERICA THIS MAY BE MY FIRST AND LAST AUDI.
NHTSA complaint #11143725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,000 milesLAS Vegas, NV
STEERING
WITHOUT NOTICE, STEERING CEASED TO FUNCTION WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED IN A RETAIL PARKING LOT.
NHTSA complaint #11043392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,257 milesUpper Marlboro, MD
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A RECALL ITEM TO BE REPLACED AND I WAS INFORMED THAT MY FUEL RAIL WAS LEAKING GAS. THEY DIDNT SAY IT WAS URGENT SO I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP AND ON MY WAS HOME I HAS THE STRONG SMELL OF GAS. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER AUDI REPAIR HOP FOR A SECOND OPINION AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS SPRAYING FUEL AND THAT IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. HE ALSO SAID THAT MY CAR WAS NOT OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE THIS TYPE OF LEAK SO IT MAY BE A DEFECT . HE ALSO SAID IT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN LEAKING FOR SOME TIME BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF RESIDUE HE SAW NEAR THE LEAK
NHTSA complaint #10919989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,000 milesAustin, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS TOLD THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE, THE ANTIFREEZE GETS INTO THE WIRING HARNESS AND FOR ME THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. TO FIX THE ISSUE THEY HAVE TO TAKE THE ENGINE OUT AND REPLACE THE WIRE HARNESS. A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX, I HAVE IT UNDER WARRANTY BUT WAS TOLD I WAS LUCKY, WHICH I ASSUME MEANS IF I DID NOT HAVE THE 100000 MILE WARRANTY I WOULD BE PAYING OUT OF POCKET. BUT IF THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10897268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,000 milesFort Wayne, IN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AFTER STARTING THE CAR IT WILL TRAVEL OR IDLE FOR 3-6 MINUTES (2-3 MILES) THEN START TO SPUTTER AND STALL. DURING THIS TIME THE YELLOW EPC LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT ARE ON. AFTER SITTING FOR 3-8 MINUTES IT MOST OFTEN STARTS BUT WILL NOT IDLE OR TRAVEL UNLESS THE EPC LIGHT GOES OUT. THIS RESTART MAY NOT BE SUCCESSFUL THE FIRST OR SECOND TIME. RUNNING OTHER SOFTWARE, AIR CONDITIONING, AND CRUISE CONTROL HAS NO INFLUENCE. PRELIMINARY COMPUTER CHECK SUGGESTS 14 FAULTS. FURTHER EXAMINATION WILL BE DONE AFTER MAY 30, 2016.
NHTSA complaint #10871300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,000 milesGreenwich, CT
SEATS
FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AIRBAG REPEATEDLY DEACTIVATES REGARDLESS OF 115 POUND ADULT SITTING PROPERLY IN THE SEAT. SAME ISSUE HAPPENED WITH THE A8 LOANER VEHICLE PROVIDED WHILE THIS CAR WAS BEING SERVICED. AUDI TRIES TO EXPLAIN IT "AS DESIGNED" SUGGESTING THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD HARM THE PASSENGER.
NHTSA complaint #10504480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,000 milesGreenwich, CT
AIR BAGS
FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AIRBAG REPEATEDLY DEACTIVATES REGARDLESS OF 115 POUND ADULT SITTING PROPERLY IN THE SEAT. SAME ISSUE HAPPENED WITH THE A8 LOANER VEHICLE PROVIDED WHILE THIS CAR WAS BEING SERVICED. AUDI TRIES TO EXPLAIN IT "AS DESIGNED" SUGGESTING THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD HARM THE PASSENGER.
NHTSA complaint #10504480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.