The most-documented Audi A8 problems are turbocharger oil-strainer recall 22V178 on 2013–2017 4.0T cars, hood-seal fire recall 20V397, high-pressure fuel line recalls 18V430 and 19V057, fuel rail recall 19V035 and coolant valve recall 16V619 on the D4. The D5 has V6 TFSI coolant pump, thermostat and oil leak bulletins.
CarWhere lists 12 documented A8 issues, including 8 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, powertrains, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source.
A8 generations at a glance
Audi A8 generations and the known issues listed for each
Sunroof glass can shatter (recall 16V415) (2007–2009)
Safety recall
Generation:
D3 (2009–2010)
Years:
2007–2009
Powertrain:
All
The sunroof glass on some 2007–2009 A8 and S8 models can break while the car is in use, and falling glass could injure occupants or distract the driver. Dealers replace the glass panel.
Symptoms
Cracks in the sunroof glass
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Leaking coolant valve can reach the engine computer (recall 16V619) (2010–2013 (built May 15, 2010–May 14, 2012))
Safety recall
Generation:
D4 (2011–2018)
Years:
2010–2013 (built May 15, 2010–May 14, 2012)
Powertrain:
See recall for engine applicability
A coolant valve on A8s built May 15, 2010 to May 14, 2012 may leak and let coolant into the engine control module, causing a loss of power or a stall. Dealers replace the valve and inspect the connector for coolant.
Symptoms
Loss of power or stalling
Coolant loss
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
The turbo oil supply strainer on 2013–2017 A8 and S8 (with S6, S7 and RS 7) can become blocked and starve the turbo bearings, which can break the shaft and stall the engine. Dealers replace the strainer and change the oil.
Symptoms
Turbo whine or loss of boost
Engine stall
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
High-pressure fuel pump supply line can turn porous (recalls 18V430 / 19V057) (2013–2016)
Safety recall
Generation:
D4 (2011–2018)
Years:
2013–2016
Powertrain:
See recall for engine applicability
The supply line to the high-pressure fuel pump on 2013–2015 A8 and S8 can become porous and leak fuel (18V430, line replaced). A follow-up, 19V057, covers 2013–2016 A8 and S8 and adds a fuel pressure damper.
Symptoms
Fuel smell from the engine bay
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Confirm both 18V430 and 19V057 are closed where they apply
Engine-compartment seal can touch hot parts (recall 20V397) (2013–2018)
Safety recall
Generation:
D4 (2011–2018)
Years:
2013–2018
Powertrain:
All
The seal around the engine compartment of 2013–2018 A8 and S8 can come loose and contact hot engine components, increasing fire risk. Dealers install a retaining plate.
Symptoms
Loose rubber seal visible at the hood edge
Burning-rubber smell
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Audi bulletin TSB 2039995 covers a 1–3 second rattle from the timing chain drive after the first start of the day on 2011–2014 vehicles with the 3.0 TFSI, which here means A8 models fitted with the 3.0 TFSI in those years. Audi says the noise comes from an upper chain tensioner and does not lead to damage; the fix is improved tensioners on both banks.
Symptoms
Brief rattle from the back of the engine on the first cold start of the day
Check before buying
Listen to a true cold start
Ask whether both upper chain tensioners were replaced under TSB 2039995
Missing sealing pin lets moisture into the engine computer connector (recall 21V111) (2019–2021)
Safety recall
Generation:
D5 (2019–present)
Years:
2019–2021
Powertrain:
See recall for engine applicability
A missing sealing pin on 2019–2021 A8 and 2020–2021 S8 can let moisture into the engine control module connector and cause a malfunction and stall. Dealers fit the pin and replace corroded connectors.
Symptoms
Engine stall
Warning lights
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Audi bulletin TSB 2070349 covers coolant loss traced to the coolant pump on V6 TFSI engines, listing 2019–2024 A8 and 2020–2021 A8 e quattro. The revision notes that in some cases a P0299 underboost code is logged because coolant from the leaking pump contaminates a switch valve. Outside warranty the bulletin is informational only.
Symptoms
Coolant warning lamp
Coolant level dropping with no obvious puddle
Check-engine light, sometimes with an underboost code
Check before buying
Check the coolant reservoir level cold
Ask for records of any coolant-pump replacement
Have a pre-purchase inspection pressure-test the cooling system
Audi bulletin TSB 2058767 covers a check-engine light with cooling-system codes (P218100, P017B00, P308100, P01E400) and a radiator fan that may run continuously on 3.0 TFSI engines, listing 2019 A8 and early-2020 A8 by VIN. Audi introduced an improved thermostat in production.
Symptoms
Check-engine light
Radiator fan running constantly
Engine slow to reach temperature
Check before buying
Scan for P218100, P017B00, P308100 or P01E400
Ask whether the thermostat was replaced under TSB 2058767
Audi bulletin TSB 2053278 covers oil leaking around the cylinder head cover, injectors and valvelift actuator on 2.9 and 3.0 TFSI engines, listing 2019–2020 A8 and S8 and early-2021 cars by VIN. Audi attributes it to metal shavings left in the sealing groove during manufacture and says production processes were improved.
Symptoms
Oil loss or low-oil warning
Burning-oil smell from the engine bay
Oil residue around the valve cover or underbody
Check before buying
Look for wet oil around the top of the engine and under the car
Ask whether the cylinder head cover was resealed under TSB 2053278
Owners filed 204 complaints about the Audi A8 with NHTSA for the model years below, the most for the 2013 model year (63). The components cited most often are engine, electrical system and unknown or other. Counts are raw filings, not rates: newer and higher-volume years naturally collect more, and a complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect.
NHTSA owner complaints for the Audi A8 by model year (all US body styles and S/RS variants, de-duplicated by NHTSA complaint number), as of November 2026
Model year
Complaints
Crash or fire reported
Injury reported
Safety-critical component
2021
7
0
0
4
2020
3
1
0
2
2019
13
1
0
5
2017
6
1
0
4
2016
16
0
0
10
2015
38
1
1
32
2014
24
1
0
17
2013
63
0
0
53
2012
11
0
0
7
2011
15
0
0
11
2010
1
0
0
0
2009
7
1
0
2
Most-cited components across these years: Engine (110) · Electrical system (26) · Unknown or other (24) · Power train (18) · Fuel/propulsion system (17) · Service brakes (13). A complaint can name more than one component.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints database, queried by CarWhere for every NHTSA model name filed for this nameplate (A8, A8 LWB, A8 NWB, A8L, A8L PHEV, S8). “Safety-critical component” counts complaints that report a crash, fire, injury or death, or name the engine, power train, steering, service brakes or fuel system.
Related A8 research
This page explains specific mechanical issues and recalls. Which model years drew the most owner complaints relative to the rest of the model’s history is answered in the years-to-avoid research where CarWhere publishes it.
Engine, transmission and packages decide which of these issues apply. The CarWhere Audi build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.
On the 2011–2018 A8 the most-documented items are recalls: turbo oil-strainer 22V178 (4.0T), hood-seal fire 20V397, fuel line 18V430/19V057, fuel rails 19V035 and coolant valve 16V619. The 2019-and-later A8 has V6 TFSI coolant pump, thermostat and oil leak bulletins.
Does the Audi A8 4.0T have turbo problems?
Recall 22V178 covers 2013–2017 A8 and S8 with the 4.0T. A blocked turbo oil supply strainer can wear the bearings and stall the engine. Dealers replace the strainer and change the oil free of charge.
Is there a fire recall on the Audi A8?
Yes. 20V397 covers 2013–2018 A8 and S8 whose engine-compartment seal can touch hot parts. The fuel line recalls 18V430 and 19V057 and fuel rail recall 19V035 also address fire risk from fuel leaks.
Does the 2019+ Audi A8 leak coolant or oil?
Audi bulletins cover both on the D5: TSB 2070349 for coolant pump leaks on 2019–2024 V6 TFSI engines and TSB 2053278 for cylinder-head oil leaks on 2019–2021 cars. They are repair bulletins, not recalls.
How do I check a used Audi A8 for open recalls?
Enter the 17-digit VIN in NHTSA’s recall lookup or ask an Audi dealer. Recall repairs are free regardless of mileage or ownership.
Sources
Issue descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs are shown only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.
Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by AUDI AG or Audi of America. Audi, quattro, TFSI, S tronic, e-tron and the model names are trademarks of their owners.