Audi A8 Reliability
358 NHTSA complaints (1996–2021). Complaint rate: 84.8 per 1,000 vehicles.
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 2011–2016 Audi A8. The 2020 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: ENGINE.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Audi A8 Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 91 | 1.1% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 33 | 0.0% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 21 | 4.8% |
| POWER TRAIN | 18 | 5.6% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 18 | 11.1% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 18 | 0.0% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 14 | 0.0% |
| SUSPENSION | 11 | 0.0% |
| AIR BAGS | 10 | 30.0% |
| STEERING | 9 | 0.0% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | — | 12 | 1 | — | View 1997View→ |
| 1998GOOD | — | 4 | 1 | — | View 1998View→ |
| 1999 | — | 13 | 0 | 2 | View 1999View→ |
| 2000GOOD | — | 4 | 0 | 1 | View 2000View→ |
| 2001 | — | 8 | 1 | — | View 2001View→ |
| 2003GOOD | — | 3 | 0 | — | View 2003View→ |
| 2004AVOID | — | 31 | 0 | 3 | View 2004View→ |
| 2005 | — | 11 | 0 | 1 | View 2005View→ |
| 2006 | — | 10 | 0 | — | View 2006View→ |
| 2007GOOD | — | 4 | 0 | — | View 2007View→ |
| 2008 | — | 10 | 3 | — | View 2008View→ |
| 2009GOOD | — | 6 | 1 | — | View 2009View→ |
| 2011AVOID | — | 23 | 0 | — | View 2011View→ |
| 2012AVOID | — | 17 | 0 | — | View 2012View→ |
| 2013AVOID | — | 66 | 0 | — | View 2013View→ |
| 2014AVOID | — | 27 | 0 | — | View 2014View→ |
| 2015AVOID | — | 46 | 1 | — | View 2015View→ |
| 2016AVOID | — | 17 | 0 | — | View 2016View→ |
| 2017 | — | 11 | 2 | — | View 2017View→ |
| 2019AVOID | — | 20 | 1 | — | View 2019View→ |
| 2020GOOD | — | 5 | 0 | 1 | View 2020View→ |
| 2021 | — | 7 | 0 | — | View 2021View→ |
See also: Audi A8accident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
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