2016 Audi A8 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (4) · Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems (1) · Suspension (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 (4)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/Supercharger 2022-03-23 · campaign 22V178000 · 26,093 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Structure:body:hood 2020-07-07 · campaign 20V397000 · 12,964 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings 2019-01-28 · campaign 19V057000 · 8,985 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail 2019-01-16 · campaign 19V035000 · 74,881 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (872)
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.
Visibility/Wiper 2026-09-22 · TSB_2020552_15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning.
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.
Structure:body 2026-09-08 · TSB_2068999_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this tsb describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases.
Showing the 6 most recent of 872 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-10-09 · Lane Departure: Warning“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. …”
2022-12-12 · 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…”
2022-08-23 · Structure · 42,000 mi“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; how…”
2022-05-03 · Suspension“ 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.…”
2022-03-01 · Unknown Or Other“turbos failed which caused the car to shut down in heavy traffic on an interstate.…”
2021-06-26 · 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 …”
2021-04-03 · Engine · 60,000 mi“car stalls unexpectedly when driving on city streets or highway. cause due to turbo issues…”
2021-01-18 · Engine · 45,000 mi“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 acceler…”
2020-07-31 · Unknown Or Other“as a resident of oklahoma i purchased a 2016 audi a8 from vroom in november 2019. i paid them 30,000 cash down to include $4025 in sales tax $73.75 dealer inventory tax $105.50 gov license and registration fees $11.00 cert of title fee $25.00 vehicle inspection fee $150.00 some random document fee related to registration all of which…”
2019-02-27 · Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems · 3,500 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2016 audi a8 equipped with four continental sport contact 5p tires, size: 275/35r21 (na). while driving 30 mph, the contact struck a pothole and the front passenger tire flattened. there were no warning indicators illuminated. the contact stated that the tire pressure monitoring system failed to alert the driver. the vehicle…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.