2012 Audi A8 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (2) · Engine (2) · Visibility/Wiper (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Audi A8 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2016-08-24 · campaign 16V619000 · 9,067 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Service bulletins (1,107)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2083409_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2052680_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
Steering 2026-09-22 · TSB_2074846_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · TSB_2030471_9 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-26 · TSB_2074436_3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.
Service Brakes 2026-08-21 · TSB_2069904_3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information for all models regarding brake sounds.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,107 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2021-06-10 · Engine“check engine on. diagnosed as cam shaft timing chain failure…”
2020-06-23 · Unknown Or Other · 121,000 mi“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…”
2019-08-19 · Engine · 103,000 mi“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…”
2019-07-23 · Steering · 160,247 mi“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…”
2019-06-25 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump · 83,998 mi“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…”
2018-10-29 · Visibility/Wiper · 109,500 mi“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 …”
2017-11-05 · Steering · 62,000 mi“without notice, steering ceased to function while car was in motion. this failure occurred in a retail parking lot.…”
2016-10-29 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 75,257 mi“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 dr…”
2016-08-19 · Unknown Or Other · 38,000 mi“i was told this is a recurring issue, the antifreeze gets into the wiring harness and for me the engine shut down while driving down the highway. to fix the issue they have to take the engine out and replace the wire harness. a very expensive fix, i have it under warranty but was told i was lucky, which i assume means if i did not have the 100000 m…”
2016-05-27 · Vehicle Speed Control · 56,000 mi“after starting the car it will travel or idle for 3-6 minutes (2-3 miles) then start to sputter and stall. during this time the yellow epc light and engine light are on. after sitting for 3-8 minutes it most often starts but will not idle or travel unless the epc light goes out. this restart may not be successful the first or second time. running …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.