2013 Audi A8 engine problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

30 owners have reported engine problems with the 2013 Audi A8, 81% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 64,000 mi.

Engine complaints
30
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Related recalls
2
Median mileage
64,000 mi

Specific components reported

Engine covers: stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating.

ComponentComplaints
Engine29
Engine and engine cooling1

Engine complaints across Audi A8 years

42011120123020131020141420156201622017420191202012021
Engine complaints by model year. The 2013 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

Under 10k10k–30k430k–60k560k–100k1100k–150k150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

  • Recall 22V178000Mar 23, 202226,093 vehicles
    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2013-2017 A8, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, and 2014-2017 RS7 vehicles. The turbocharger oil supply strainer can become blocked, causing wear to the bearings due to lack of lubrication.

    Risk: Worn bearings can cause the turbine wheel to contact the turbocharger housing or cause the shaft to break, causing an engine stall and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the oil strainer and perform an oil change, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 21H7.

  • Recall 16V619000Aug 24, 20169,067 vehicles
    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Audi A8 vehicles manufactured May 15, 2010, to May 14, 2012. 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.

    Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the coolant valve and inspect for coolant that has leaked through the electrical connector, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 19, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

What owners say

  1. Filed Apr 19, 2026MDEngine
    Engine totaled because of oil starvation I'm guessing or maybe an oil pump failure oil starvation caused Pistons to rub inside of head cost of engine and work is more than the vehicles cost so that means car is totaled
    NHTSA complaint #11732258 · source
  2. Filed Oct 11, 2025CAEngine
    The pcv oil separator has failed and is making a whistling sound. From researching this issue it is widely known and an investigation shows it is caused in relation to a recall for the oil strainer that was done on this vehicle. I called audi dealership and they said this is not an open recall, however it seems this is exactly what caused it.
    NHTSA complaint #11692779 · source
  3. Filed Jun 18, 2025MDEngine
    Driving up an inclined road at night. Car engine started to sputter and jerk and lost power. Was able to get to the side of the road out of traffic at the top of the hill? I was able to coast down the hill to a gas station. Carl would not drive without Jerking or accelerate, add check engine, light on and flashing. With the smell of burning from the engine, compartment waited two hours for a tow truck towed it home, the following day, I had to take off of work. I checked all…
    NHTSA complaint #11667840 · source
  4. Filed Nov 15, 2024120,000 miVATowedEngine
    The contact owns a 2013 Audi A8. The contact stated that while her son was driving at highway speeds, the warning lights on the instrument panel flashed as the vehicle shut off. The contact's son managed to pull over despite the failure. The vehicle was initially towed to one dealer; however, the dealer failed to service the vehicle promptly. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed with a defective ECM(Electronic Control Module) that needed to be…
    NHTSA complaint #11625496 · source
  5. Filed Aug 22, 2024MDEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionSteering
    Audi, A8L 2013, also has the stuck piston. Rings end oil blow by like the other Volkswagen, defected engines of the same year yesterday while driving my car ended up stalling on a road with traffic behind me going up a hill because too much oil I'd burnt in the cylinders, causing the spark plugs to become completely coated in oil and the cars. Electronic system registered multiple misfires, multiple cylinders. Are misfired and multiple other safety epc codes, causing the…
    NHTSA complaint #11610338 · source
  6. Filed May 16, 2024MDEngine
    Unknown at this moment service vist is next week. The problem is a know piston ring issues on other years of same engine with massive oil consumption 1 qt a week with minimal driving less then 100 miles. Spent 3k on pvc and coolant pump that are a known issue of totaling engine but burning oil non stop and risk or seized engine if on highway
    NHTSA complaint #11589083 · source
  7. Filed Feb 26, 2024CABrakesElectrical SystemEngine
    Me and my son were traveling on a business road trip from my home in Lincoln, CA to do business at several companies and end up at a customer located in Anaheim, CA. We started on [XXX] in Roseville, CA highway Interstate [XXX] traveling towards Anaheim with stops along the way. We were coming down [XXX] on the southside of the grapevine at the speed limit of 70 MPH, when the engine began to stall, and the steering also began to lock up. We began losing control of the…
    NHTSA complaint #11573971 · source
  8. Filed Feb 24, 2024CAEngineSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain
    Me and my son were traveling on a business road trip from my home in Lincoln, CA to do business at several companies and end up at a customer located in Anaheim, CA. We started on [XXX] traveling towards Anaheim with stops along the way. We were coming down highway [XXX] on the southside of the grapevine at the speed limit of 70 MPH, when the engine began to stall, and the steering also began to lock up. We began losing control of the vehicle and engine power was failing and…
    NHTSA complaint #11573806 · source
  9. Filed Dec 28, 2023DCEngine
    The contact owns a 2013 Audi A8. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V178000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the contact had scheduled three separate appointments with a dealer and was cancelled after each scheduled appointment. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution…
    NHTSA complaint #11562242 · source
  10. Filed Oct 31, 2022SCEngine
    In March of 2022, a safety recall number 21H7, was issued for my 2013 Audi A8L regarding the oil strainer which could clog and result in the turbocharger failing and subsequent consequences. I have contacted my Audi dealer numerous times since first receiving written notification with the most recent contact being today October 31. The dealer says they still don’t have the necessary parts and even though there is still supply chain issues internationally, quite enough time…
    NHTSA complaint #11491579 · source
  11. Filed Sep 26, 2022TXElectrical SystemEngine
    There is an open recall: 16V619000 Which applies to a set of VIN numbers. This same issue happened on my vehicle and my VIN is not part of the recall. Other VIN numbers should be included in this recall like mine. I had to get the repaired on my own for $2500 because this recall isn’t showing up for my vin number
    NHTSA complaint #11486393 · source
  12. Filed Aug 17, 2022CAEngine
    Manufacturer Recall Number21H7 NHTSA Recall Number22V178 This recall was issued in May 2022. I emailed Audi USA, who advised me that they do not have a repair they can implement to address this recall. This is surprising because, according to an Audi enthusiast website, repairs under this recall are being made in the United Kingdom. See pdf attached. Why is Audi telling me they cannot repair my car when they seem to be doing just that in other countries? It appears that this…
    NHTSA complaint #11479809 · source

Other 2013 Audi A8 problem areas

  • Transmission & Drivetrain (3)
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (3)
  • Other / Unknown (3)
  • Brakes (3)
  • Steering (2)
  • Electrical System (2)
  • Visibility & Wipers (1)
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control (1)
  • Suspension (1)
  • Body & Structure (1)

Back to all 2013 Audi A8 problems →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology