Owners have filed 12 complaints
about the 2017 Audi A8 with NHTSA between 2022 and 2026.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 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 — 26
Against the median year of the Audi A8. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 86
16.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2017 Audi A8
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Acceleration & Cruise Control
216.7%
Median failure at 51,000 miles
Brakes
216.7%
Median failure at 51,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
216.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Other & Unspecified
18.3%
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
18.3%
Tires
18.3%
Fuel & Propulsion
18.3%
Steering
18.3%
Transmission & Drivetrain
18.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires
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.
Feb 2022peak 5Jun 2026
Recalls on the 2017 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 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 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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Vernon Hills, ILCrash
POWER TRAIN
The 2017 A8L 4.0T is equipped with a engine Start-Stop system that switches off the engine when the car is motionless, to save fuel. The system is supposed to restart the engine immediately when the brake is released. This system malfunctions routinely and refuses to restart, leaving me with an immobile car at stoplights and intersections, putting me and my family at risk. This safety hazard has caused two accidents. In the first incident, I parked in my spot and got out of the car. The Audi rolled backward and collided with the car parked behind (insurance claim filed). In the other incident, I was stopped at an intersection, at an incline. The car failed to restart when I took my foot off the brake and rolled back, colliding with the truck behind me. My rear bumper was damaged, truck was not damaged. The car was inspected multiple times, and problem was reproduced by the Audi dealer. They attempted fixes, but failed to solve the problem. No warning lights or message appeared to alert me to this start-stop system failure.
NHTSA complaint #11451619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vernon Hills, ILCrash
ENGINE
The 2017 A8L 4.0T is equipped with a engine Start-Stop system that switches off the engine when the car is motionless, to save fuel. The system is supposed to restart the engine immediately when the brake is released. This system malfunctions routinely and refuses to restart, leaving me with an immobile car at stoplights and intersections, putting me and my family at risk. This safety hazard has caused two accidents. In the first incident, I parked in my spot and got out of the car. The Audi rolled backward and collided with the car parked behind (insurance claim filed). In the other incident, I was stopped at an intersection, at an incline. The car failed to restart when I took my foot off the brake and rolled back, colliding with the truck behind me. My rear bumper was damaged, truck was not damaged. The car was inspected multiple times, and problem was reproduced by the Audi dealer. They attempted fixes, but failed to solve the problem. No warning lights or message appeared to alert me to this start-stop system failure.
NHTSA complaint #11451619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Kamrar, IA
ENGINE
Audi number AWA-19-03 covers the crankcase ventilation valve extended warranty for 2013-2016 audi models less than 10 years old and with less than 120,000 miles. My vehicle meets the year and mileage requirements, but is a 2017 model with the same problem as the 2013-2016 models. I paid to have the dealer perform the repairs because they said there was no extended warranty. Audi USA also said they can not find the extended warranty. I would like Audi to cover the cost of this repair. Even thought it is a year newer, it it the same problem experienced on the earlier models. Audi did not correct the problem.
NHTSA complaint #11744789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Crown Point, IN
STEERING
My cars rack and pinion went out with the mileage just over 100,000 miles and I was told that this is a problematic something to do with the inappropriate silicone. Spending $85,000 on a car you would think that this is not something you would have to experience. The car was making a little bit of noise, turning left or right couple days later than it completely went out on me and had to drive the car like I was driving a vehicle with no power steering.
NHTSA complaint #11705436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,000 milesWinter Haven, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
The contact owns a 2017 Audi A8. The contact stated that while using the cruise control, the warnings ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) and Brake Guard disabled was display on the instrument panel. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the camera had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated the dealer originally agreed to repair the vehicle; however, the dealer had since denied providing the repair free of charge. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,000.
NHTSA complaint #11589589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,000 milesWinter Haven, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2017 Audi A8. The contact stated that while using the cruise control, the warnings ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) and Brake Guard disabled was display on the instrument panel. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the camera had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated the dealer originally agreed to repair the vehicle; however, the dealer had since denied providing the repair free of charge. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,000.
NHTSA complaint #11589589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winter Haven, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Bought a 2017 audi A8l with 51700 miles, from Mike erdman Nissan in coco beach florida, it had front grill damage and when you try to use the cruise control message comes on dash ACC and brake guard disabled, i told dealership they first said theyd fix it but i had to talk to the lender first then theyd fix i talked to the lender now they are refusing to fix it, i never signed anything saying no warranty, nothing was never said about warranty, but was told but eric the salesman that he was going yo have it fixed
NHTSA complaint #11589469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winter Haven, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
Bought a 2017 audi A8l with 51700 miles, from Mike erdman Nissan in coco beach florida, it had front grill damage and when you try to use the cruise control message comes on dash ACC and brake guard disabled, i told dealership they first said theyd fix it but i had to talk to the lender first then theyd fix i talked to the lender now they are refusing to fix it, i never signed anything saying no warranty, nothing was never said about warranty, but was told but eric the salesman that he was going yo have it fixed
NHTSA complaint #11589469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winter Haven, FL
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Bought a 2017 audi A8l with 51700 miles, from Mike erdman Nissan in coco beach florida, it had front grill damage and when you try to use the cruise control message comes on dash ACC and brake guard disabled, i told dealership they first said theyd fix it but i had to talk to the lender first then theyd fix i talked to the lender now they are refusing to fix it, i never signed anything saying no warranty, nothing was never said about warranty, but was told but eric the salesman that he was going yo have it fixed
NHTSA complaint #11589469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gretna, LA
TIRES:SIDEWALL
My wife and I were traveling [XXX] west on Atchafalaya Basin from New Orleans to Lafayette, a light came on saying inferior tire check air [pressure. Next thing we were on a flat tire on side of busy unsafe area of the interstate. Call 911 to request police for safety with traffic while changing the tire. Officer assist with removal of tire, and said he's never seen a tire with that kind of damage. Inside wall of the tire was completely gone. I purchased a new tire $312. I'm concerned about it happening with the other tires. My wife doesn't feel safe riding in her car since. I read some of the other concerns from people who had similar problems with Pirelli tires. I would appreciate it if someone could research these tires and reimburse me It was a scary situation because of the location. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter! Looking forward to hearing back from you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11563797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, GA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Gas leaks smells from engine bay previous years have this problem and have recalls...
NHTSA complaint #11542822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fair Oaks, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
A plastic guide piece which holds the passenger side of the panoramic sunroof (rear, above backseat) retractable sunshade continuously breaks on its own with limited infrequent use by control switch. I had it replaced by the dealer, which is expensive. Its my opinion this is a design flaw, or cheap plastic oem issue.
NHTSA complaint #11479275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vernon Hills, ILCrash
POWER TRAIN
The 2017 A8L 4.0T is equipped with a engine Start-Stop system that switches off the engine when the car is motionless, to save fuel. The system is supposed to restart the engine immediately when the brake is released. This system malfunctions routinely and refuses to restart, leaving me with an immobile car at stoplights and intersections, putting me and my family at risk. This safety hazard has caused two accidents. In the first incident, I parked in my spot and got out of the car. The Audi rolled backward and collided with the car parked behind (insurance claim filed). In the other incident, I was stopped at an intersection, at an incline. The car failed to restart when I took my foot off the brake and rolled back, colliding with the truck behind me. My rear bumper was damaged, truck was not damaged. The car was inspected multiple times, and problem was reproduced by the Audi dealer. They attempted fixes, but failed to solve the problem. No warning lights or message appeared to alert me to this start-stop system failure.
NHTSA complaint #11451619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vernon Hills, ILCrash
ENGINE
The 2017 A8L 4.0T is equipped with a engine Start-Stop system that switches off the engine when the car is motionless, to save fuel. The system is supposed to restart the engine immediately when the brake is released. This system malfunctions routinely and refuses to restart, leaving me with an immobile car at stoplights and intersections, putting me and my family at risk. This safety hazard has caused two accidents. In the first incident, I parked in my spot and got out of the car. The Audi rolled backward and collided with the car parked behind (insurance claim filed). In the other incident, I was stopped at an intersection, at an incline. The car failed to restart when I took my foot off the brake and rolled back, colliding with the truck behind me. My rear bumper was damaged, truck was not damaged. The car was inspected multiple times, and problem was reproduced by the Audi dealer. They attempted fixes, but failed to solve the problem. No warning lights or message appeared to alert me to this start-stop system failure.
NHTSA complaint #11451619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.