FaultScore

FaultScore report

2019 Audi A8 problems

Owners have filed 22 complaints about the 2019 Audi A8 with NHTSA between 2020 and 2026. The largest single group is the electrical system. Across this model's run it ranks 7 of 14 worst.

B

FaultScore 39/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Audi A8.

How this is worked out

The numbers

22

Complaints

1

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

What kind of bad

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.

Complaint volume 48 vs 50 Severity 23 vs 50 Early failure not reported
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 48
Against the median year of the Audi A8. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 23
4.5% 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.

How 2019 compares with every other Audi A8

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2019 Audi A8

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Electrical System 8 36.4%

Median failure at 45,000 miles

Other & Unspecified 4 18.2%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 4,052 mi

Engine & Cooling 4 18.2%
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance 3 13.6%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 1 4.5%
Steering 1 4.5%
Transmission & Drivetrain 1 4.5%

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.

Sep 2020 peak 7 May 2026

Recalls on the 2019 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 2025713 30,276 units in Canada

Visual System

Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the rearview camera image not to appear on the display. Canadian regulations require the rearview image to display when the transmission is shifted into reverse gear. Safety Risk: A rearview camera image that doesn't display could reduce a driver's ability to see behind the vehicle while backing up. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Audi will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the rearview camera software.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 4,052 miles Sarasota, FL Crash

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

INADVERTENT ACCELERATION. CAR A AGAINST WALL AT LOW SPEED (EST. 3 MPH). WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH BEHAVIOR OF STOP-START FEATURE. ENGINE WAS STOPPED, BUT VEHICLE IGNITION WAS NOT TURNED OFF. DRIVER DID NOT ANTICIPATE RESTART OF VEHICLE WHEN LIFTING FOOT OFF OF BRAKE. MINOR DAMAGE TO VEHICLE FRONT END.

NHTSA complaint #11382693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Irvine, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

COMPLAINT: Authorized dealer non-compliance with NHTSA Compliance Recall 25V900 (Rearview Camera Software, FMVSS No. 111). Vehicle is a 2019 Audi A8 subject to Recall 25V900, issued by the manufacturer in January 2026. The recall work was scheduled with an authorized Audi dealer in Southern California by telephone. The dealership representative confirmed an appointment for April 17, 2026 at 2:30 PM and represented that the service would take approximately two hours. The appointment was then confirmed in writing three separate times by SMS from the dealership: twice from its scheduling line on April 15 and April 16, 2026, and once on April 16 at 12:38 PM by a Business Development Manager from the dealership main line, who expressly acknowledged the scheduled service and used it to solicit a vehicle appraisal. On April 17, 2026 the vehicle was presented at the dealership at the scheduled time. The service advisor on duty stated that the vehicle would have to be left until the following Monday and could not be serviced that day. He refused to provide any reason for the change. He refused to identify who had scheduled the appointment. He refused to contact the service director on the owner's behalf. A direct call to the service director at the number on his business card was not answered. The vehicle was returned without service. The recall remains uncompleted. The dealer's conduct effectively imposes an unreasonable burden contrary to the obligations of 49 U.S.C. § 30120 and 49 CFR Part 577. GENERAL GUIDELINES: - Component: rearview camera software (subject of Recall 25V900). - Safety risk: per the recall notice, the software issue may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying, decreasing visibility when reversing. - Confirmation: the recall was identified by the manufacturer; the dealer accepted and confirmed the appointment four times (1 verbal, 3 in writing) before refusing. - No physical inspection has occurred; the recall has not been performed. -

NHTSA complaint #11740455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Irvine, CA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

COMPLAINT: Authorized dealer non-compliance with NHTSA Compliance Recall 25V900 (Rearview Camera Software, FMVSS No. 111). Vehicle is a 2019 Audi A8 subject to Recall 25V900, issued by the manufacturer in January 2026. The recall work was scheduled with an authorized Audi dealer in Southern California by telephone. The dealership representative confirmed an appointment for April 17, 2026 at 2:30 PM and represented that the service would take approximately two hours. The appointment was then confirmed in writing three separate times by SMS from the dealership: twice from its scheduling line on April 15 and April 16, 2026, and once on April 16 at 12:38 PM by a Business Development Manager from the dealership main line, who expressly acknowledged the scheduled service and used it to solicit a vehicle appraisal. On April 17, 2026 the vehicle was presented at the dealership at the scheduled time. The service advisor on duty stated that the vehicle would have to be left until the following Monday and could not be serviced that day. He refused to provide any reason for the change. He refused to identify who had scheduled the appointment. He refused to contact the service director on the owner's behalf. A direct call to the service director at the number on his business card was not answered. The vehicle was returned without service. The recall remains uncompleted. The dealer's conduct effectively imposes an unreasonable burden contrary to the obligations of 49 U.S.C. § 30120 and 49 CFR Part 577. GENERAL GUIDELINES: - Component: rearview camera software (subject of Recall 25V900). - Safety risk: per the recall notice, the software issue may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying, decreasing visibility when reversing. - Confirmation: the recall was identified by the manufacturer; the dealer accepted and confirmed the appointment four times (1 verbal, 3 in writing) before refusing. - No physical inspection has occurred; the recall has not been performed. -

NHTSA complaint #11740455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palatine, IL

ENGINE

Complete Engine Failure - Audible Engine Knock Noise. Bank 2 Knock Sensor Faults stored & recorded at Audi of Hoffman Estates. Worked with Audi Of Amercia where they denied any wrongdoing or know issues. Bore socped engine at an independent shop & confirmed the cyclinder 6 bore was scored due to picton failure. Paid for a USED engine replacement & install out of my pocket on 8/5/2025 $4,655.57 Install Charge $6,760.49 Used Engine Cost On 9/8/2025 I recieved a letter in the mail from Auid Of America Outling a Piston Skirt Limited Warranty Extension. I reached out to Audi of Amercia the following day, outlined my experiece and was unaware how at no time during my phone calls & emails with Audi of America was a piston skirt issue never discussed. I had the bear the cost of engine replacement out of pocket as during the time frame of failure and per Audi - The repalcement engine was on "intergalactic backorder". When I reached out to Audi of America to discuss reimbursement my claim was denied due to "incompitible or aftermarket parts", which they then changed there response and said it was due to "used" parts being installed. The contact at Audi Of America was Rebecca Gray - To this date she is no longer returning phone calls or emails, also had my email address blocked from the Audi Server at one point. When I reached out to a high up executive via text message, I didn't recieve a response but my email was unblocked in short order. Audi has tried to hide the extent of the piston skirt issue from its consumers & NHTSA. This needs to be stopped.

NHTSA complaint #11693878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Union, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My grandson and I got in the car after being in a Lego store for 20 minutes. We tried to start the car to leave but the car started the electronic starting procedure but stoped. All kinds of malfunction and failure lights came on and EVERYTHING LOCKED UP. WE WERE TRAPPED IN THE CAR AND COULD NOT ESCAPE

NHTSA complaint #11595729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Farmington Hills, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Electrical system malfunction. Faulty generator shut dow. All electrical systems and eventually shut the car down.

NHTSA complaint #11547511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fredericksburg, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Electrical Malfunction light came on and it says to pull over and cut your car off and also contact your dealer. This is very scary because you may be in am area that is very isolated or dangerous to stop. This is very disturbing. This is a known problem by Audi. The vehicle is currently at the Audi dealership. There were no warnings prior to this.

NHTSA complaint #11518587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wallington, NJ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

While driving on highway my car experienced massive electrical malfunction. All systems shut down (including dashboard) and engine cut off. I think it was a miracle that I was able to pull over to the roadside parking lot without any accident. The issue was caused by faulty design of the starter-alternator combo that may render the car undriveable (single point of failure). I had to use a tow track to get my car to nearest dealership where it is right. I think it is extremely dangerous to have cars on the road with possibility of total breakdown without any warnings. My car has only 43000 miles on it so this was totally unexpected and created safety hazard for any all drivers nearby. I just checked some internet boards for Audi and apparently there are many other cars that experienced that issue.

NHTSA complaint #11518498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wallington, NJ

LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

While driving on highway my car experienced massive electrical malfunction. All systems shut down (including dashboard) and engine cut off. I think it was a miracle that I was able to pull over to the roadside parking lot without any accident. The issue was caused by faulty design of the starter-alternator combo that may render the car undriveable (single point of failure). I had to use a tow track to get my car to nearest dealership where it is right. I think it is extremely dangerous to have cars on the road with possibility of total breakdown without any warnings. My car has only 43000 miles on it so this was totally unexpected and created safety hazard for any all drivers nearby. I just checked some internet boards for Audi and apparently there are many other cars that experienced that issue.

NHTSA complaint #11518498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wallington, NJ

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

While driving on highway my car experienced massive electrical malfunction. All systems shut down (including dashboard) and engine cut off. I think it was a miracle that I was able to pull over to the roadside parking lot without any accident. The issue was caused by faulty design of the starter-alternator combo that may render the car undriveable (single point of failure). I had to use a tow track to get my car to nearest dealership where it is right. I think it is extremely dangerous to have cars on the road with possibility of total breakdown without any warnings. My car has only 43000 miles on it so this was totally unexpected and created safety hazard for any all drivers nearby. I just checked some internet boards for Audi and apparently there are many other cars that experienced that issue.

NHTSA complaint #11518498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Greenville, SC

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The sunroof on my 2019 Audi A8 spontaneously exploded around 445 pm on Friday, April 7, 2023. The car was traveling around 55 MPH and the sunroof just exploded out. The sunscreen was closed at the time. It was not hit by a rock or a tree limb or any other item. It just exploded. Sounded like a gunshot when the car was brought to a stop, there was a large hole in the sunroof and glass scattered all around the hole.

NHTSA complaint #11516179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Great Lakes, IL

STEERING

Hello, On April 6th, 2023, at 12 pm, my car experienced a electrical malfunction within the Start/Stop system, which didn’t posed an immediate threat to my life. Later that day, the car stalled on me while driving, causing a highly dangerous situation on a busy street during peak traffic hours. Multiple error codes appeared, and the transmission failed, leaving me in a perilous position. It is alarming that AUDI is aware of this life-threatening issue, yet no recall has been issued thus far. I urge NHTSA to take swift action and hold AUDI accountable for this critical failure, which endangers not only my life but the lives of others on the road. Please refer to the link below for evidence supporting my claim. The issue is widespread, affecting various models of Audi, including the 2019 A6, A7, and A8. https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a7-224/2019-a6-a7-a8-electrical-failures-3037487/

NHTSA complaint #11515953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Great Lakes, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Hello, On April 6th, 2023, at 12 pm, my car experienced a electrical malfunction within the Start/Stop system, which didn’t posed an immediate threat to my life. Later that day, the car stalled on me while driving, causing a highly dangerous situation on a busy street during peak traffic hours. Multiple error codes appeared, and the transmission failed, leaving me in a perilous position. It is alarming that AUDI is aware of this life-threatening issue, yet no recall has been issued thus far. I urge NHTSA to take swift action and hold AUDI accountable for this critical failure, which endangers not only my life but the lives of others on the road. Please refer to the link below for evidence supporting my claim. The issue is widespread, affecting various models of Audi, including the 2019 A6, A7, and A8. https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a7-224/2019-a6-a7-a8-electrical-failures-3037487/

NHTSA complaint #11515953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kent, WA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Alternator/Start stop generator is bad. Car stopped dead in the intersection.

NHTSA complaint #11503884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Provincetown, MA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2019 Audi 8. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the message "Electrical Malfunction" was suddenly displayed before the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the alternator was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the parts needed to repair the vehicle were not available. The failure mileage was 45,000.

NHTSA complaint #11503613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Key West, FL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Message appeared on display Jan 7 2023: "Electrical system: Malfunction! Please contact service" The trunk lid opened while I was driving, the a/c quit (I am in Key West!), the auto start/stop quit. I had heard of many other Audi owners whose car just quit, so I scooted home and parked. I had it towed to Coral Gables FL at my expense, and the dealer told me it was an alternator problem that needed to be replaced. None available in the US, could be months before it's repaired. Car is 2019 Audi A8 with 42,000 miles.

NHTSA complaint #11502629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Key West, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Message appeared on display Jan 7 2023: "Electrical system: Malfunction! Please contact service" The trunk lid opened while I was driving, the a/c quit (I am in Key West!), the auto start/stop quit. I had heard of many other Audi owners whose car just quit, so I scooted home and parked. I had it towed to Coral Gables FL at my expense, and the dealer told me it was an alternator problem that needed to be replaced. None available in the US, could be months before it's repaired. Car is 2019 Audi A8 with 42,000 miles.

NHTSA complaint #11502629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Key West, FL

ENGINE

Message appeared on display Jan 7 2023: "Electrical system: Malfunction! Please contact service" The trunk lid opened while I was driving, the a/c quit (I am in Key West!), the auto start/stop quit. I had heard of many other Audi owners whose car just quit, so I scooted home and parked. I had it towed to Coral Gables FL at my expense, and the dealer told me it was an alternator problem that needed to be replaced. None available in the US, could be months before it's repaired. Car is 2019 Audi A8 with 42,000 miles.

NHTSA complaint #11502629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bronx, NY

POWER TRAIN

Vehicle engine would suddenly stop working, warning, "drive system malfunction: stop vehicle safely." It has happened 3 times within 3 days in the middle of the intersection. Dealers wouldn't take this issue seriously and they asked me to make an appointment online, which is scheduled to be 1 month away. The issue almost caused an accident twice. Adaptive cruise is also malfunctioning, engine random misfire, sunroof rattle, etc. This car is just so problematic it only has 20,000 miles on it and had scheduled maintenance performed just a month back.

NHTSA complaint #11452496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bronx, NY

ENGINE

Vehicle engine would suddenly stop working, warning, "drive system malfunction: stop vehicle safely." It has happened 3 times within 3 days in the middle of the intersection. Dealers wouldn't take this issue seriously and they asked me to make an appointment online, which is scheduled to be 1 month away. The issue almost caused an accident twice. Adaptive cruise is also malfunctioning, engine random misfire, sunroof rattle, etc. This car is just so problematic it only has 20,000 miles on it and had scheduled maintenance performed just a month back.

NHTSA complaint #11452496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bronx, NY

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

Vehicle engine would suddenly stop working, warning, "drive system malfunction: stop vehicle safely." It has happened 3 times within 3 days in the middle of the intersection. Dealers wouldn't take this issue seriously and they asked me to make an appointment online, which is scheduled to be 1 month away. The issue almost caused an accident twice. Adaptive cruise is also malfunctioning, engine random misfire, sunroof rattle, etc. This car is just so problematic it only has 20,000 miles on it and had scheduled maintenance performed just a month back.

NHTSA complaint #11452496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,052 miles Sarasota, FL Crash

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

INADVERTENT ACCELERATION. CAR A AGAINST WALL AT LOW SPEED (EST. 3 MPH). WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH BEHAVIOR OF STOP-START FEATURE. ENGINE WAS STOPPED, BUT VEHICLE IGNITION WAS NOT TURNED OFF. DRIVER DID NOT ANTICIPATE RESTART OF VEHICLE WHEN LIFTING FOOT OFF OF BRAKE. MINOR DAMAGE TO VEHICLE FRONT END.

NHTSA complaint #11382693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bennington, NE

ENGINE

I OWN A 2019 AUDI A8 WITH 2000 MILES ON IT. THIS NEARLY HAS CAUSED ME ACCIDENTS AND OTHER AUDI A8 OWNERS ARE ALSO VOICING COMPLAINTS. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF IT BUT SAID AUDI ENGINEERS WILL NOT ADDRESS IT. AFTER COMING TO A STOP, UPON PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLES DOES NOT RESPOND FOR THREE OR FOUR SECONDS AND THEN ABRUPTLY TAKES OFF. THERE IS A MAJOR HESITATION AND CAN BE DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE PULLING OUT IN AN INTERSECTION WITH TRAFFIC APPROACHING. AFTER THE 3-4 SECOND DELAY, IT THEN DANGEROUSLY SPEEDS AHEAD. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ON/OFF SWITCH AS IT HAPPENS IN ALL SETTINGS. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE THROTTLE AND DELAY AND IT WILL CAUSE ACCIDENTS. PLEASE SEE ONLINE WITH AUDI OWNERS AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ASAP. THE DEALER HAS NOT SOLUTION. THIS APPLIES TO ALL SETTINGS. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF YOU GO STRAIGHT, LEFT OR RIGHT. PLEASE HELP US SAVE LIVES.

NHTSA complaint #11352660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.