Audi A8 years to avoid
More than twice the A8's typical complaint count for a model year.
Best Audi A8 years
Fewest owner complaints among the last 20 model years, counting only those with at least four years on the road.
Audi A8 complaints by model year
Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.
Most common Audi A8 problems
All model years combined.
- Engine102
- Electrical36
- Transmission25
- Fuel system24
- Acceleration23
- Visibility19
- Brakes19
- Suspension13
- Body12
- Driver assistance11
- Airbags11
- Steering9
Audi A8 problems year by year
Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.
| Year | Score | Complaints | Top problem | Typical mileage | Recalls | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | - | 5 | Electrical | 10 | 0 | Fewest complaints | |
| 2020 | - | 3 | Electrical | 5 | 0 | ||
| 2019 | - | 15 | Electrical | 3 | 1 | ||
| 2017 | - | 8 | Acceleration | 3 | 1 | ||
| 2016 | - | 11 | Engine | 4 | 0 | ||
| 2015 | - | 32 | Engine | 49,693 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2014 | - | 18 | Engine | 57,534 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2013 | - | 50 | Engine | 63,000 | 6 | 0 | Avoid |
| 2012 | - | 11 | Engine | 83,998 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2011 | - | 15 | Engine | 82,000 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2010 | - | 1 | Visibility | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2009 | - | 5 | Driver assistance | 1 | 1 | Fewest complaints | |
| 2008 | - | 8 | Airbags | 55,118 | 1 | 2 | |
| 2007 | - | 4 | Airbags | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2006 | - | 6 | Acceleration | 44,000 | 2 | 0 | Fewest complaints |
| 2005 | - | 6 | Acceleration | 12,000 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2004 | - | 20 | Visibility | 28,000 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2003 | - | 3 | Lights | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2002 | - | 1 | Engine | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2001 | - | 6 | Acceleration | 2 | 1 | ||
| 2000 | - | 3 | Fuel system | 2 | 0 | ||
| 1999 | - | 9 | Body | 4 | 0 | ||
| 1998 | - | 4 | Airbags | 3 | 1 | ||
| 1997 | - | 10 | Transmission | 69,000 | 2 | 1 | |
| 1996 | - | 1 | Brakes | 2 | 0 |
Recalls 31
Audi A8 warranty extensions
Repairs the manufacturer covers beyond the normal warranty. Check whether your car and mileage qualify before paying for one of these.
Questions about the Audi A8
What years of the Audi A8 should you avoid?
2013. It has more than twice the Audi A8's typical number of owner complaints for a model year; 2013 alone has 50, mostly about engine and fuel system.
What is the best year for a used Audi A8?
2009, 2021 and 2006 have the fewest owner complaints among model years that have been on the road for at least four years (5, 5 and 6).
What is the most common problem with the Audi A8?
Engine, with 102 complaints across all years, followed by electrical (36) and transmission (25).
How many recalls does the Audi A8 have?
31 recalls between 1996 and 2021. The 2021 model year has the most, with 10.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Audi A8?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history