Owners have filed 46 complaints
about the 2015 Audi A8 with NHTSA between 2015 and 2025.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 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 — 100
Against the median year of the Audi A8. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 22
4.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 97
57% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
723.3%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
310.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
620.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
516.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
516.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
13.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
26.7%
150,000+ miles
13.3%
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.
Jun 2015peak 3Oct 2025
NHTSA investigations into the 2015 Audi A8
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA22001Opened 4 Apr 2022Closed 26 May 2023ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
Engine Stall - Turbo Failure
On March 29, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE 21-009) after the agency received 58 reports alleging engine stalling in 2013-2016MY Audi vehicle models A8, S6, S7, S8 & RS7 equipped with the 4.0L, twin-turbocharged engine. Complainants reported the vehicles would stall with no warning while driving at highway or city traffic speeds. Several of the complainants alleged an inability to restart. The complaints alleged the major contributing factor to the engine stalling was the failure of the turbochargers. The complaints cited the turbocharger fa...
PE21009Opened 29 Mar 2021Closed 27 May 2022ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
Engine Stall - Turbo Failure
On March 29, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 21-009 after the agency received 58 reports alleging engine stalling in 2013-2016MY Audi vehicle models A8, S6, S7, S8 & RS7. The subject vehicles are equipped with 4.0L, twin-turbocharged engine. Complainants reported that the vehicles stall suddenly with no warning while driving on the highway or in city traffic. Several of the complainants alleged an inability to restart. The complaints allege the major contributing factor to the engine stalling is the failure of the turbochargers. The complaints...
Recalls on the 2015 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.
United States — NHTSA
22V178000
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.
20V397000
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.
19V057000
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.
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.
18V430000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20221332,548 units in Canada
Engine
Issue: On certain vehicles, the oil strainer for the turbocharger oil supply could get blocked. If this happens, a turbocharger could fail. This could cause loss of engine power and/or cause the engine to stall. Note: This problem could cause different warning messages to display or the engine oil warning light to turn on. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Audi will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the oil strainer for the turbocharger oil supply. The dealer will also inspect and document the performance of the boost pressure system and change the engine oil.
Recall 2020308810 units in Canada
Structure
Issue: On certain vehicles, the engine compartment seal may become loose over time and fall into the engine compartment. If this happens, the seal could contact a hot surface in the engine compartment. Safety Risk: A rubber seal that falls onto a hot surface could cause a fire. Corrective Action: The company will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to install a retaining plate on the engine compartment seal.
Recall 2019040407 units in Canada
Fuel System
Issue: On certain vehicles, the fuel line to the high-pressure fuel pump could leak. This may cause a gasoline odour or leak. Safety Risk: Leaking fuel, in the presence of an ignition source, creates the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer for repair. A fuel pressure damper will be installed in the low pressure fuel supply located inside the fuel tank.
Recall 20190248,631 units in Canada
Fuel System
Issue: On certain vehicles, a small amount of fuel may leak from one or both fuel rails. Safety Risk: Leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source could increase the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to have the left and right fuel rails replaced.
Recall 2018344307 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain vehicles, the fuel supply line for the high pressure fuel pump may become porous over time. This could cause a fuel smell or a fuel leak, which in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the fuel line.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 50,000 milesHarrisburg, PACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11310484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Alamogordo, NM
SUSPENSION
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
NHTSA complaint #11691917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alamogordo, NM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
NHTSA complaint #11691917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alamogordo, NM
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
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
NHTSA complaint #11691917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waller, TX
ENGINE
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..
NHTSA complaint #11634247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hempstead, NY
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Water leaking from passenger side top right corner from windshield. Glass isn’t damaged. Just started leaking for no reason
NHTSA complaint #11573260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hempstead, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY
Leaking windshield on passenger side top left corner
NHTSA complaint #11572479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hempstead, NY
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Leaking windshield on passenger side top left corner
NHTSA complaint #11572479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesMontgomery, NY
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11460496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hempstead, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #11451724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hempstead, NY
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11451724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Inverness, IL
ENGINE
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
NHTSA complaint #11449661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roxbury, CT
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11429584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mayfield Heights, OH
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11421084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glen Ellyn, IL
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11417351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,693 milesMaywood, IL
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11406416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,000 milesTruckee, CA
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11406015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesBluffton, IN
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11402684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,000 milesBelmont, MA
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11397821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,000 milesGallatin, TN
POWER TRAIN
TURBO FAILURE AT 57,000 MILES. CAR DIED WHILE IN TRAFFIC WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #11394763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westlake, OH
SEATS
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
NHTSA complaint #11388467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westlake, OH
POWER TRAIN
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
NHTSA complaint #11388467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesRochester, MI
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
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.
NHTSA complaint #11383218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesRochester, MI
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11383218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 833,457 milesHatchechubbee, AL
ENGINE
BAD WATER PUMP AND CROSS BAR
NHTSA complaint #11376098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15 milesWilton, CT
ENGINE
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?
NHTSA complaint #11321144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.