CarBrief

NHTSA has 49 owner complaints for the 2013 Audi A8, and 37 of them name the engine[1][2]. Owners describe turbocharger failures and stalling, and a recall covers a turbo oil strainer that can block[3].

49owner complaints[1]
6recalls[4]
15–21MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Reported problems

NHTSA lists 49 owner complaints for the 2013 A8[1]. None of them mention a crash, a fire, an injury or a death[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name more than one part of the car.

Component group Complaints
Engine[2] 37
Fuel/propulsion system[6] 5
Unknown or other[7] 5
Brakes[8] 4
Suspension[9] 3
Power train[10] 3
Structure[11] 2
Visibility/wiper[12] 2

Engine. Engine is the biggest group by a wide margin. The median mileage at failure for these complaints is 64,500[2]. In the sample of engine complaints we read, 10 of 12 describe a failed turbocharger[2], and 9 of 12 describe the car stalling or losing power while driving[2]. Several say both turbos failed. Some owners describe it happening on a highway and some describe large repair bills[2]. This matches the subject of recall 22V178 below.

Fuel and propulsion. In the sample of 5 complaints we read, 2 describe the same turbo failure and stalling[6]. One mentions a gas smell and refers to the fuel line recall. One describes the car hesitating and then surging when the accelerator is pressed[6].

Brakes. The 4 brake complaints we read do not share a theme[8]. They cover pedal position, a brake warning light that stayed on, a hard pedal at start-up and a stall with steering trouble[8].

The other groups have too few complaints to say anything about a pattern.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2013 A8[4]. Newest first:

The recall facts do not say whether any single car has had the repair done.

Fuel economy

EPA lists five versions of the 2013 A8[5][18][19][20][21]. All are listed as Automatic (S8), Premium fuel and All-Wheel Drive[5][21]. Combined MPG runs from 15 to 21[5][21]. EPA's yearly fuel cost estimate uses its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Version City / highway / combined MPG Estimated yearly fuel cost
A8, 3.0L 6-cyl[5] 18 / 28 / 21 $3,900
A8 L, 3.0L 6-cyl[18] 18 / 28 / 21 $3,900
A8, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo[19] 17 / 28 / 21 $3,900
A8 L, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo[20] 16 / 26 / 19 $4,350
A8 L, 6.3L 12-cyl[21] 13 / 20 / 15 $5,500

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings list the 4-door all-wheel-drive 2013 A8 as not rated[22]. That means there is no star score to compare.

Engine and size

EPA's test car list gives 333 hp for the 3.0L 6-cylinder engine[23] and 420 hp for the 4.0L 8-cylinder engine[24]. Our data has no horsepower figure for the other engines in the fuel economy table.

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada and can differ slightly from US cars. They are converted to inches and pounds.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
A8 3.0 TFSI Quattro[25] 202 in 77 in 57 in 118 in 4,376 lb
A8 4.0 TFSI Quattro[26] 202 in 77 in 57 in 118 in 4,530 lb
A8L LWB 3.0 TFSI Quattro[27] 207 in 77 in 57 in 123 in 4,409 lb
A8L LWB 4.2 FSI Quattro/Premium[28] 207 in 77 in 57 in 123 in 4,597 lb
A8L LWB W12 6.3 FSI Quattro[29] 207 in 77 in 57 in 123 in 4,773 lb

The A8L versions are 5 inches longer than the A8 in both length and wheelbase[25][27].

How 2013 compares with other years

1997: 10 complaints, 2 recalls19971998: 4 complaints, 3 recalls1999: 9 complaints, 4 recalls2000: 3 complaints, 2 recalls20002001: 6 complaints, 2 recalls2002: 1 complaints, 1 recalls2003: 3 complaints, 1 recalls20032004: 20 complaints, 1 recalls2005: 6 complaints, 1 recalls2006: 6 complaints, 2 recalls20062007: 4 complaints, 2 recalls2008: 8 complaints, 1 recalls2009: 5 complaints, 1 recalls20092010: 1 complaints, 1 recalls2011: 15 complaints, 1 recalls2012: 11 complaints, 1 recalls20122013: 49 complaints, 6 recalls4920132014: 18 complaints, 5 recalls2015: 31 complaints, 5 recalls20152016: 11 complaints, 4 recalls2017: 8 complaints, 3 recalls2019: 14 complaints, 3 recalls20192020: 3 complaints, 5 recalls2021: 6 complaints, 10 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each A8 model year. The 2013 is highlighted[4].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
1997102
199843
199994
200032
200162
200211
200331
2004201
200561
200662
200742
200881
200951
201011
2011151
2012111
2013496
2014185
2015315
2016114
201783
2019143
202035
2021610

Counts below are for the same model, the Audi A8, and are not adjusted for how many cars were sold[4].

So this model year sits at the top of the A8 list for complaints and near the top for recalls[4]. Some recalls cover several model years, so a recall count is not a count of separate flaws.

Should you buy a used 2013 A8?

No complaint mentions a crash, fire, injury or death[1], but the recalls above do describe risks of stalling, crash or fire. It does show that this model year has more complaints than any other A8 year, with the engine at the center[2][4]. Owners in the sample we read describe turbo failures and stalling, and the turbo oil strainer recall covers that area[3]. Before buying, it makes sense to ask whether the recall repairs listed above were done on that exact car, since our facts cannot tell you[3][13][14][15][16][17]. Fuel cost depends a lot on the version, from $3,900 to $5,500 a year by EPA's estimate[5][21].

Frequently asked questions

What problems does the 2013 Audi A8 have?
NHTSA lists 49 complaints, and 37 name the engine, with a median failure mileage of 64,500[1][2]. In the engine complaints we read, owners describe turbo failures and stalling[2].
Does the 2013 Audi A8 have recalls?
Yes, 6[4]. They cover the turbo oil strainer, an engine compartment seal, two fuel line problems, a coolant valve and sunroof glass[3][13][14][15][16][17].
What is the gas mileage of a 2013 Audi A8?
EPA combined ratings run from 15 MPG for the A8 L 6.3L to 21 MPG for the 3.0L and the A8 4.0L[5][19][21].
How many horsepower does a 2013 Audi A8 have?
EPA lists 333 hp for the 3.0L 6-cylinder and 420 hp for the 4.0L 8-cylinder[23][24].
Is 2013 a bad year for the Audi A8?
It has the most complaints of any A8 year on file (49) and the second highest recall count (6), though counts are not adjusted for sales[4].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 49 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Audi A8 (0 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 37 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 64,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 22V178, filed March 23, 2022: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo / Supercharger. NHTSA recall database
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every Audi A8 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for A8, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 28 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 5 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 5 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 4 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 3 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 3 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 2 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 2 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 20V397, filed July 7, 2020: Structure › Body › Hood. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 19V057, filed January 28, 2019: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 18V430, filed June 25, 2018: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 16V619, filed August 24, 2016: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 13V448, filed September 23, 2013: Visibility › Sun / Moon Roof Assembly. NHTSA recall database
  18. EPA rating for A8 L, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 28 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for A8, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 28 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for A8 L, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 26 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for A8 L, 6.3L 12-cyl, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 20 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  23. EPA Test Car List, 2013 Audi A8 with 3.0L 6-cylinder: rated 333 hp. www.epa.gov
  24. EPA Test Car List, 2013 Audi A8 with 4.0L 8-cylinder: rated 420 hp. www.epa.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A8 4DR SEDAN 3.0 TFSI QUATTRO: length 202 in, width 77 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 118 in, curb weight 4,376 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A8 4DR SEDAN 4.0 TFSI QUATTRO: length 202 in, width 77 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 118 in, curb weight 4,530 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  27. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A8L 4DR SEDAN LWB 3.0 TFSI QUATTRO: length 207 in, width 77 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 123 in, curb weight 4,409 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  28. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A8L 4DR SEDAN LWB 4.2 FSI QUATTRO/PREMIUM: length 207 in, width 77 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 123 in, curb weight 4,597 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  29. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A8L 4DR SEDAN LWB W12 6.3 FSI QUATTRO: length 207 in, width 77 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 123 in, curb weight 4,773 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.