2015 Audi A8 problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Audi A8, most often about engine. There are 5 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
21
Recalls
5
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Median mileage
57,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 14 of 21 complaints (67%).
  • Visibility & Wipers (2) and driver assistance & safety tech (2) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 57,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury.
  • The 2015 Audi A8 has 5 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 2nd of 13 Audi A8 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 50% more complaints than the 2014 model year (14).

2015 Audi A8 problems by category

  • Engine
    14 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    2 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    2 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    2 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    1 complaints
  • Airbags · 1 crash
    1 complaints
  • Electrical System
    1 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    1 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    1 complaints
  • Suspension
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Engine14
Visibility/wiper2
Power train2
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control1
Forward collision avoidance: warnings1
Lane departure: blind spot detection1
Air bags1
Seats1

When problems happen (mileage)

1Under 10k10k–30k530k–60k260k–100k2100k–150k1150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2015 Audi A8 complaints that list mileage.

2015 Audi A8 recalls (5)

  • 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 20V397000Jul 7, 202012,964 vehicles
    STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Audi S8 and A8 vehicles. The seal around the engine compartment may come loose and contact hot engine components.

    Risk: If the seal contacts hot engine components, there could be an increased risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install a retaining plate to prevent the engine compartment seal from loosening. The recall began September 4, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 51G6.

  • Recall 19V057000Jan 28, 20198,985 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A8 and S8 vehicles. The fuel supply line for the high pressure fuel pump may become porous and leak fuel.

    Risk: Leaking fuel, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of fire.

    Remedy: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will install a fuel pressure damper, free of charge. The recall began February 21, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20BM.

  • Recall 19V035000Jan 16, 201974,881 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Q7, A6 and A7 vehicles, and 2015-2018 Audi A8 vehicles. The left and right fuel rails may leak fuel.

    Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the left and right fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 24DP.

  • Recall 18V430000Jun 25, 20186,633 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Audi S8 and A8 vehicles. The fuel supply line for the high pressure fuel pump may become porous over time, resulting in a fuel leak.

    Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line, free of charge. The recall began July 20, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AV.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • EA22001Opened Apr 4, 2022Closed May 26, 2023

    Engine Stall - Turbo Failure

    On March 29, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE 21-009) after the agency received 58 reports alleging engine stalling in 2013-2016MY Audi vehicle models A8, S6, S7, S8 & RS7 equipped with the 4.0L, twin-turbocharged engine. Complainants reported the vehicles would stall with no warning while driving at highway or city traffic speeds. Several of the complainants alleged an inability to restart. The complaints alleged the major contributing factor to the engine stalling was the failure of the turbochargers. The complaints cited the turbocharger fa…

  • PE21009Opened Mar 29, 2021Closed May 27, 2022led to recall 22V178000

    Engine Stall - Turbo Failure

    On March 29, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 21-009 after the agency received 58 reports alleging engine stalling in 2013-2016MY Audi vehicle models A8, S6, S7, S8 & RS7. The subject vehicles are equipped with 4.0L, twin-turbocharged engine. Complainants reported that the vehicles stall suddenly with no warning while driving on the highway or in city traffic. Several of the complainants alleged an inability to restart. The complaints allege the major contributing factor to the engine stalling is the failure of the turbochargers. The complaints…

Recent 2015 Audi A8 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Oct 7, 2025NMDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemSuspension
    So I purchased a vehicle from wright drive in El Paso, Texas. I was driving home back to Alamogordo which is 90 miles away, maybe 80 I realized there was no adaptive cruise control. So I messaged dealership. They told me that there was nothing they could do. It's not a safety issue. I got the vehicle home the next day. I found out the whole front suspension was bad. I kept hearing a noise when I would drive over bumps and it was really loud. I contacted the dealership, told…
    NHTSA complaint #11691917 · source
  2. Filed Jan 5, 2025TXEngine
    Yet another beautiful Audi 3.0tfsi with the rocker arm failure … how is there not a class action lawsuit already ? I have a knock in my valve train and I just bought this car two days ago …. Audi should be liable to fix this because I didn’t know nothing about this and with a quick search it’s alike a epidemic of the same problem..
    NHTSA complaint #11634247 · source
  3. Filed Feb 22, 2024NYVisibility & Wipers
    Water leaking from passenger side top right corner from windshield. Glass isn’t damaged. Just started leaking for no reason
    NHTSA complaint #11573260 · source
  4. Filed Apr 12, 2022110,000 miNYTowedEngine
    The contact owns a 2015 Audi A8. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle that stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
    NHTSA complaint #11460496 · source
  5. Filed Feb 13, 2022NYEngineOther / Unknown
    With out any prior warning the car began to sputter and then lost power while I was on the highway. I had the vehicle towed to the dealership and found the Turbos failed which caused the problem. This car has been well maintained and serviced by the dealership. It now has a $14000.00 repair bill.
    NHTSA complaint #11451724 · source
  6. Filed Feb 1, 2022ILEngine
    Turbo chargers failed on highway at highway speeds leading major loss of power in a passing situation nearly causing an accident then the car stalled at exit ramp
    NHTSA complaint #11449661 · source
  7. Filed Aug 18, 2021CTEngine
    Engine stalled as i approached departure terminal at Newark airport. Dealer has inspected and determined the Turbo Impeller is bent and requires replacement. Car will not run. This is a known problem on Audi turbo engines apparently. Just prior to stalling the oil low light came on then the car stalled out creating a hazardous safety situation for a perfectly well maintained car.
    NHTSA complaint #11429584 · source
  8. Filed Jun 15, 2021OHEngine
    The stock turbo when right in the middle of traffic at 60,000 miles. Almost died in traffic as the car would not move out of the road. This is not exclusive to A8 but to all the audi cars with the 4.0T engine across many vehicle years. An OEM turbo should last 150k-200k miles (half that if aftermarket). Cost $10k to replace.
    NHTSA complaint #11421084 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. 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