The 2012 Audi A8 has 1 safety recall and 11 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (4 complaints).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints11filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
NHTSA recall 16V619000 · Aug 24, 2016 · 9,067 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2012 Audi A8 4 DR AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
A8
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel
A8 L
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel
A8 L
16mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
6.3 L · 12 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Engine
4
0
0
0
103,000 mi
Air bags
2
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
2
0
0
0
—
Fuel/propulsion system
2
0
0
0
—
Steering
2
0
0
0
—
Seats
1
0
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control
1
0
0
0
—
Visibility/wiper
1
0
0
0
—
Fuel system, gasoline Delivery › Fuel pump
1
0
0
0
—
Electrical system
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jun 1, 2021Engine Check Engine ON. Diagnosed as cam shaft timing chain failure
Jun 9, 2020 · 121,000 milesAir bags AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON EVEN AFTER THE INITIAL STARTUP. VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND HAS NOT BEEN MOVED. CODED ERROR IS DRIVER HEAD CURTAIN IGNITER SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND. *TR
Jul 22, 2019 · 103,000 milesEngine TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A8. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V619000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED BY FLETCHER JONES AUDI (1523 W NORTH AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60642, (312) 628-4300). TWO YEARS AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SPORADIC ENGINE LEAKS THAT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
Jul 5, 2019 · 160,247 milesSteering POWER STEERING PUMP MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION/ NO POWER ASSIST CUSTOMER STATES STEERING WHEEL IS STIFF NO POWER ASSIT. POWER STEERING PUMP MALFUNCTION PUMP ASSEMBLY FAILED AND POWER STEERING PUMP
Apr 27, 2019 · 83,998 milesFuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A8. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC POWER CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER 25 MINUTES AND TOWED TO AUDI NASHVILLE (LOCATED AT 1576 MALLORY LN, BRENTWOOD, TN 37027, (855) 574-8043). THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, BUT INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A LOOSE CONNECTION WAS FOUND ON THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…
Oct 29, 2018 · 109,500 milesEngine I'VE RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE BOTH HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMPS AND CAM FOLLOWERS AT COST TO MYSELF EVEN THOUGH AUDI EXTENDED THE WARRANTY DUE TO PREMATURE FAILURES ON SEVERAL AUDIS. APPARENTLY MY VIN WASN'T IN THE LIST . I TRIED CALLING AOA FOR ANY ASSISTANCE BUT WAS TOLD BECAUSE I ONLY OWN ONE(APPARENTLY BRAND LOYALTY MEANS BUYING 2 AT A TIME) AND I BOUGHT IT FROM AN INDEPENDENT DEALER THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I GET ALL MY WORK DONE AT THE LOCAL AUDI DEALER. SINCE THEN I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY WINDSHIELD DUE TO THE SEALS FAILING AND LEAVING ME WITH A WATER FALL IN MY CAR(I SEEN SEVERAL PEOPLE AFFECTED IN FORUMS). NOT TO MENTION THE SHORT IN MY MMI SCREEN AND TAIL LIGHT(SOME OF THE…
Oct 30, 2017 · 62,000 milesSteering WITHOUT NOTICE, STEERING CEASED TO FUNCTION WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED IN A RETAIL PARKING LOT.
Oct 29, 2016 · 75,257 milesFuel/propulsion system I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A RECALL ITEM TO BE REPLACED AND I WAS INFORMED THAT MY FUEL RAIL WAS LEAKING GAS. THEY DIDNT SAY IT WAS URGENT SO I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP AND ON MY WAS HOME I HAS THE STRONG SMELL OF GAS. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER AUDI REPAIR HOP FOR A SECOND OPINION AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS SPRAYING FUEL AND THAT IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. HE ALSO SAID THAT MY CAR WAS NOT OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE THIS TYPE OF LEAK SO IT MAY BE A DEFECT . HE ALSO SAID IT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN LEAKING FOR SOME TIME BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF RESIDUE HE SAW NEAR THE LEAK
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.