CarBrief

NHTSA has 8 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Audi A8[1]. The model year also has 3 recalls, so check that the recall work was done on any car you consider[2].

8owner complaints[1]
3recalls[2]
22MPG combined (EPA)[3]

Reported problems

Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA[1]. One mentions a crash, and none mention a fire, an injury or a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

In the sample we read, the brakes, speed control and forward collision avoidance complaints describe the same kind of event. The adaptive cruise control and brake guard warnings showed as disabled, and a failed camera diagnosis appears in the sample. The complaints also describe a dispute with the dealer about who pays for the repair[5][6][8]. The counts are small, so treat them as examples of what owners report and not as a measure of how reliable the car is.

Recalls

NHTSA lists these recalls in our data, newest first.

Fuel economy

EPA lists two engines for this model year, and both use premium fuel and all-wheel drive.

Engine City Highway Combined
3.0L 6-cyl[3] 19 29 22
4.0L 8-cyl turbo[15] 18 29 22

EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $3,750 for each[3][15]. That estimate uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Engine and size

The EPA test car list shows 333 hp for the 3.0L 6-cylinder[16] and 435 hp for the 4.0L 8-cylinder[17].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
A8 3.0 TFSI Quattro[18] 202 in 77 in 57 in 118 in 4,376 lb
A8 4.0 TFSI Quattro / 3.0 TDI Quattro[19] 202 in 77 in 57 in 118 in 4,530 lb
A8L LWB 4.2 TFSI Quattro / 3.0 TDI Quattro[20] 207 in 77 in 57 in 123 in 4,586 lb
A8L LWB W12 6.3 FSI Quattro[21] 207 in 77 in 57 in 123 in 4,806 lb

How 2017 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 recalls20152016: 11 complaints, 4 recalls2017: 8 complaints, 3 recalls820172019: 14 complaints, 3 recalls20192020: 3 complaints, 5 recalls2021: 6 complaints, 10 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each A8 model year. The 2017 is highlighted[2].
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 2017 A8 has 8 complaints and 3 recalls on file[2]. Some other model years have more complaints, and most of the ones listed here also have more recalls. 2013 has 49 complaints and 6 recalls, 2015 has 31 and 5, and 2014 has 18 and 5[2]. 2016 has 11 complaints and 4 recalls[2]. 2019 has 14 complaints and the same 3 recalls as 2017[2].

Some years have fewer complaints. 2018 has 0 complaints and 2 recalls[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they are only a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2017 Audi A8?

The complaint count is lower than for 2013, 2014 and 2015[2], and no complaint mentions a fire, injury or death[1]. The three recalls cover a turbocharger part, a hood seal and fuel rails, so confirm each one was done before you buy[12][13][14]. Ask whether the driver assistance camera has ever been repaired, since a complaint in our sample describes warnings about it[5][6]. Our data does not cover price, reliability ratings, safety ratings or repair costs.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Audi A8?
NHTSA has 8 complaints, with engine, brakes and speed control at 2 each[1][4][5][6]. The counts are small.
Does the 2017 Audi A8 have recalls?
Yes. The data lists recalls 22V178 for the turbocharger oil strainer, 20V397 for the hood seal and 19V035 for the fuel rails[12][13][14].
What MPG does the 2017 Audi A8 get?
EPA rates the 3.0L at 22 MPG combined and the 4.0L turbo at 22 MPG combined[3][15].
How much horsepower does the 2017 Audi A8 have?
The EPA test car list shows 333 hp for the 3.0L and 435 hp for the 4.0L[16][17].
Is the 2017 Audi A8 a better year than 2013 or 2015?
By NHTSA counts it has fewer complaints and recalls than 2013 and 2015[2]. The counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 8 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Audi A8 (1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Audi A8 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 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
  4. 2 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 2 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 2 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 1 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 1 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 1 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 1 complaints name the tires component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 1 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 22V178, filed March 23, 2022: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo / Supercharger. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 20V397, filed July 7, 2020: Structure › Body › Hood. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 19V035, filed January 16, 2019: Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail. NHTSA recall database
  15. EPA rating for A8 L, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 29 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Audi A8 with 3.0L 6-cylinder: rated 333 hp. www.epa.gov
  17. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Audi A8 with 4.0L 8-cylinder: rated 435 hp. www.epa.gov
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. 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
  21. 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

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.