CarBrief

The 2015 Audi A8 has 31 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, and 17 of them name the engine[1][2]. It also has recalls for fuel leaks, a turbocharger oil strainer and an engine compartment seal[3][4][5][6][7].

31owner complaints[1]
5recalls[8]
16–28MPG combined (EPA)[9]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 31 owner complaints on file for the 2015 A8[1]. One mentions a crash and one mentions injuries. None mention a fire or a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several components.

Component group Complaints
Engine[2] 17
Brakes[10] 4
Wheels[11] 3
Electrical system[12] 3
Speed control[13] 2
Seats[14] 2
Unknown or other[15] 2
Forward collision avoidance[16] 2

Engine. This is the biggest group, with a median mileage at failure of 67,900[2]. In the sample of complaints we read, owners describe the engine stalling or shutting off while driving. Some of them say a dealer found failed turbochargers. Others describe being stuck in traffic with no warning before the stall. One owner describes a loud whistle and rough running that came from an oil separator. Recall 22V178 below involves the turbocharger oil supply, but the complaints do not say whether those cars were covered by it[2][3].

Brakes. In the sample we read, the brake complaints are a mix[10]. Owners describe a brake pedal that sits close to the gas pedal, vibration while braking, and one sudden automatic braking event with a proximity warning and nothing ahead. One owner reports the car not stopping at highway speed on several occasions, and says the dealer found nothing wrong[10].

Wheels. Owners in the sample describe a vibration at road speed that new wheels and tires did not cure[11].

Electrical system. Owners in the sample describe intermittent power loss and stalling, along with camera and screen glitches[12].

Recalls

Fuel economy

EPA lists six versions of the 2015 A8[17][18][19][20][9][21]. Combined mileage runs from 16 to 28 MPG depending on the engine[20][9].

Version City / Hwy / Combined MPG Annual fuel cost
A8, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo, Premium[17] 18 / 30 / 22 $3,750
A8, 3.0L 6-cyl, Premium[18] 19 / 29 / 22 $3,750
A8 L, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo, Premium[19] 18 / 29 / 21 $3,900
A8 L, 6.3L 12-cyl, Premium[20] 13 / 22 / 16 $5,150
A8 L, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Diesel[9] 24 / 36 / 28 $3,400
A8 L, 3.0L 6-cyl, Premium[21] 19 / 29 / 22 $3,750

All six are all-wheel drive with an automatic (S8) transmission, as EPA lists them. The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings list the 2015 A8 (4 door, all-wheel drive) as not rated[22]. That means there is no star rating here to compare. It does not say the car is safe or unsafe.

Engine and size

EPA test car horsepower ratings for the 2015 A8 are 333 hp for the 3.0L 6-cylinder[23], 435 hp for the 4.0L 8-cylinder[24] and 500 hp for the 6.3L 12-cylinder[25]. A test car with an electric motor is rated 240 hp[26].

Sizes below are Canadian-market specifications, so US cars can differ slightly. Width is 77 inches and height is 57 inches for every version listed[27][28][29][30][31].

Version Length Wheelbase Curb weight
A8 sedan 3.0 TFSI quattro[27] 202 in 118 in 4,376 lb
A8 sedan 4.0 TFSI quattro or 3.0 TDI quattro[28] 202 in 118 in 4,530 lb
A8L 3.0 TFSI quattro[29] 207 in 123 in 4,464 lb
A8L 4.2 TFSI quattro or 3.0 TDI quattro[31] 207 in 123 in 4,586 lb
A8L W12 6.3 FSI quattro[30] 207 in 123 in 4,806 lb

How 2015 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 recalls2014: 18 complaints, 5 recalls2015: 31 complaints, 5 recalls3120152016: 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 2015 is highlighted[8].
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

The 2015 A8 has 31 complaints on file[8]. That is the second highest of any A8 model year, behind 2013 with 49[8]. The 2014 model has 18 and the 2016 model has 11[8]. For recalls, 2015 has 5[8]. The 2013 model has 6 and the 2021 model has 10, while 2014 and 2020 also have 5[8]. These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show where reports pile up and not how likely a failure is.

Should you buy a used 2015 A8?

The 2015 A8 has a clear weak spot in the engine group, where 17 of its 31 complaints land[1][2]. In the sample we read, owners describe sudden stalls that dealers tied to turbochargers, so ask for service records and check the turbo recall 22V178[2][3]. All five recalls have remedies listed, and four of them say the fix is free[3][4][5][6][7]. Fuel costs vary a lot by engine, from $3,400 to $5,150 a year at EPA's assumptions[20][9]. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent shop is a sensible step on any car this complex.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Audi A8?
Engine is the largest complaint group, with 17 of 31 complaints on file[1][2]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe stalls and shutoffs, some tied by dealers to turbochargers[2].
Does the 2015 Audi A8 have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists recalls 22V178, 20V397, 19V057, 19V035 and 18V430[3][4][5][6][7].
How many miles per gallon does a 2015 Audi A8 get?
EPA combined ratings run from 16 MPG for the 6.3L 12-cylinder to 28 MPG for the 3.0L diesel[20][9].
Is the 2015 A8 a worse year than 2014 or 2016?
By complaint counts it is higher, with 31 against 18 for 2014 and 11 for 2016, though counts are not adjusted for sales[8].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 31 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Audi A8 (1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 1 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 17 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,900). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 22V178, filed March 23, 2022: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo / Supercharger. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 20V397, filed July 7, 2020: Structure › Body › Hood. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 19V057, filed January 28, 2019: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 19V035, filed January 16, 2019: Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail. NHTSA recall database
  7. Recall 18V430, filed June 25, 2018: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
  8. Owner complaints and recalls for every Audi A8 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  9. EPA rating for A8 L, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Diesel, All-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 36 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  10. 4 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 3 complaints name the wheels component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 3 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 2 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 2 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 2 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 2 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  17. EPA rating for A8, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 30 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for A8, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 29 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for A8 L, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 29 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for A8 L, 6.3L 12-cyl, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 22 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for A8 L, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 29 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  23. EPA Test Car List, 2015 Audi A8 with 3.0L 6-cylinder: rated 333 hp. www.epa.gov
  24. EPA Test Car List, 2015 Audi A8 with 4.0L 8-cylinder: rated 435 hp. www.epa.gov
  25. EPA Test Car List, 2015 Audi A8 with 6.3L 12-cylinder: rated 500 hp. www.epa.gov
  26. EPA Test Car List, 2015 Audi A8 with electric motor: rated 240 hp. www.epa.gov
  27. 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
  28. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A8 4DR SEDAN 4.0 TFSI QUATTRO/3.0 TDI 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
  29. 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 4,464 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  30. 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 4,806 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  31. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A8L 4DR SEDAN LWB 4.2 TFSI QUATTRO/3.0 TDI QUATTRO: length 207 in, width 77 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 123 in, curb weight 4,586 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.