Audi A8 Engine Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Yes. 94 of the 176 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2021 Audi A8 (53.4%) name the engine, 2.8× the median share across the 152 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2013, 2015 and 2014.
Engine complaints
94
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2021 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
53.4%
of 176 complaints for this model
Engine recalls
3
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Audi A8 engine complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Engine and Engine Cooling. Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Engine recalls | Engine TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 | 12.5% | 0 | — | 53 |
| 2009 | 1 | 20% | 0 | — | 54 |
| 2010 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 16V619000 | 64 |
| 2011 | 10 | 66.7% | 0 | 16V619000 | 176 |
| 2012 | 4 | 36.4% | 0 | 16V619000 | 190 |
| 2013WORST | 37 | 75.5% | 0 | 22V17800016V619000 | 351 |
| 2014WORST | 12 | 66.7% | 0 | 22V178000 | 344 |
| 2015WORST | 17 | 54.8% | 0 | 22V178000 | 244 |
| 2016 | 6 | 60% | 0 | 22V178000 | 185 |
| 2017 | 1 | 16.7% | 1 | 22V178000 | 110 |
| 2019 | 3 | 23.1% | 0 | 21V111000 | 167 |
| 2020 | 1 | 33.3% | 1 | 21V111000 | 156 |
| 2021 | 1 | 16.7% | 0 | 21V111000 | 151 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- No row for 2018: NHTSA's complaints data returned no records for that year under this model's names.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the engine.
Common Audi A8 engine problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 94 engine complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Audi A8 years to avoid for the engine
2013 Audi A8
37 engine complaints (75.5% of the year's 49). Most often described: stalling or shutting off while driving. Covered by engine recalls 22V178000, 16V619000.
2015 Audi A8
17 engine complaints (54.8% of the year's 31). Most often described: stalling or shutting off while driving. Covered by engine recall 22V178000.
2014 Audi A8
12 engine complaints (66.7% of the year's 18). Most often described: stalling or shutting off while driving. Covered by engine recall 22V178000.
Worst years are those with at least 10 engine complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Audi A8 years to avoid.
Audi A8 engine recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Engine for any Audi A8 model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 22V178000 · 2022-03-23 · 2013–2017 models
The turbocharger oil supply strainer can become blocked, causing wear to the bearings due to lack of lubrication.
- 21V111000 · 2021-02-24 · 2019–2021 models
A missing sealing pin may allow moisture to enter the engine control module connector, possibly causing a control module malfunction.
- 16V619000 · 2016-08-24 · 2010–2013 models
The affected vehicles have a coolant valve that may leak, allowing coolant to enter the engine control module causing a loss of power or the engine to stall.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2013 Audi A8 have engine problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 37 engine complaints with NHTSA for the 2013 Audi A8, 75.5% of all 49 complaints for that year. The most common description is "stalling or shutting off while driving" (16 complaints). 2 engine-related recalls cover it: 22V178000, 16V619000.
Does the 2015 Audi A8 have engine problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 17 engine complaints with NHTSA for the 2015 Audi A8, 54.8% of all 31 complaints for that year. The most common description is "stalling or shutting off while driving" (9 complaints). One engine-related recall covers it: 22V178000.
Does the 2014 Audi A8 have engine problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 12 engine complaints with NHTSA for the 2014 Audi A8, 66.7% of all 18 complaints for that year. The most common description is "stalling or shutting off while driving" (5 complaints). One engine-related recall covers it: 22V178000.
Which Audi A8 years have the most engine complaints?
2013 (37), 2015 (17) and 2014 (12), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the engine. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Audi A8 engine problems?
In the 94 engine complaints, owners most often describe stalling or shutting off while driving (41.5%), misfire or check-engine light (18.1%) and overheating or coolant loss (16%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a engine failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Audi A8 model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a engine complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Engine and Engine Cooling.
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 engine complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration