2016 Audi A8 recalls & problems

Safety recalls

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

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

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

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

• Forward collision avoidance › Adaptive cruise control

  Part #: 4h0907217fx which is a windshield camera has stopped working and Audi has no solution to repair it. I have been without Cruise control, ABS error codes for 2 years. Please help.

  Sep 1, 2023
• Engine

  My car was schedule for the 21H7 recall. I received 2 letters this year to have the recall work done. Audi of Pittsburgh's only available date was 12/08/22. I took the car in and later that day I got a call stating the recall was done back in March of this year. I told them it was not. Later I got a call saying it was done in April of 2019. I asked for the repair order and no one will provide it. To me it seems that Audi is looking for a reason not to perform the work.

  Dec 8, 2022
• Engine and engine cooling

  The contact owns a 2016 Audi A8. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated. Additionally, after starting the vehicle in the morning, the vehicle was shaking until the engine warmed up. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V178000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), 20V397000 (Structure), and 19V057000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was…

  Jun 4, 2022 · 42,000 miles
• Engine

  Recall for turbo internals, but nothing done to remedy problem . Second issue in leaking suspension parts, which the dealership let problem continue, until warranty up.

  Mar 21, 2021
• Unknown or other

  Turbos failed which caused the car to shut down in heavy traffic on an interstate.

  Mar 18, 2021
• Engine

  I was driving and my turbos blew causing my car to shut down and not be able to restart. I was in the middle of traffic and was lucky to pull over. There was no warning and I had my 2 young kids in the car and it could have caused an accident. This was dangerous for myself and other motorists. I use this vehicle as a daily driver and this should not happen. I have not had it repaired yet but I can only imagine it will costs thousands of dollars.

  Jun 25, 2021
• Engine

  CAR STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN DRIVING ON CITY STREETS OR HIGHWAY. CAUSE DUE TO TURBO ISSUES

  Jan 1, 2019 · 60,000 miles
• Engine

  WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR 2 HOURS, SLOWED DOWN TO EXIT TO A GAS STATION, ONCE ON THE ROUTE CAR SHUT DOWN, ALL SYSTEMS INOPERATIVE STEERING AND BRAKES SOON HARDEN COULD SECURELY STOP AT GAS STATION WITH IMPULSE. CAR COULD NOT BE TURNED ON AGAIN EASILY, AND IN MY DRIVE TO THE CLOSEST HOTEL (2 MNILES) CAR WILL SHUT DOWN IF NOT CONSTANTLY ACCELERATED. DEALER TOLD ME TWO TURBOS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CAR HAD 45K MILES, LESS THAN ONE MONTH OFF CPO WARRANTY (I.E., PERFECTLY MAINTAINED).

  Dec 28, 2020 · 45,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

• Engine Stall - Turbo FailureClosed

  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 failure was a result of oil starvation due to a clogged oil strainer in the turbocharger oil supply line.The location of the oil strainer in the turbocharger oil supply line is in the inner valley of the engine. It is not easily accessible, making servicing the component difficult. The oil strainer…

  EA22001 · opened Apr 4, 2022 · closed May 26, 2023
• Engine Stall - Turbo FailureClosedLed to recall 22V178000

  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 further allege the turbocharger failure is a result of oil starvation due to a clogged oil strainer.The location of the oil strainer in the turbocharger oil supply line is in the inner valley of the engine. It is not easily accessible, making regular service difficult. The oil strainer removes…

  PE21009 · opened Mar 29, 2021 · closed May 27, 2022