VehicleVerdict

2015 Audi A8 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 46 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 7.1 times the median A8 year — the 2015 model ranks #2 of 32 A8 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 17 reports (37% of the total).

46

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2015 compare to other A8 years?

A8 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted67 complaints1995: 0 complaints1996: 1 complaints1997: 12 complaints1998: 4 complaints1999: 13 complaints2000: 4 complaints2001: 8 complaints2002: 1 complaints2003: 3 complaints2004: 31 complaints2005: 11 complaints2006: 10 complaints2007: 4 complaints2008: 10 complaints2009: 6 complaints2010: 1 complaints2011: 23 complaints2012: 17 complaints2013: 67 complaints2014: 27 complaints2015: 46 complaints2016: 17 complaints2017: 12 complaints2018: 0 complaints2019: 22 complaints2020: 5 complaints2021: 7 complaints2022: 0 complaints2023: 0 complaints2024: 0 complaints2025: 0 complaints2026: 0 complaints
A8 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all A8 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Audi A8 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1737%
Tires & Wheels49%
Brakes49%
Driver Assistance37%
Electrical System37%
Visibility & Wipers24%
Other24%
Seats24%
Speed Control24%
Transmission24%
Body & Structure12%
Suspension12%
Fuel System12%
Airbags12%
Steering12%

Does the 2015 Audi A8 have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V178000EngineMarch 23, 2022 · 26,093 units

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

20V397000Body & StructureJuly 7, 2020 · 12,964 units

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.

Consequence

If the seal contacts hot engine components, there could be an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy

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.

19V057000Fuel SystemJanuary 28, 2019 · 8,985 units

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.

Consequence

Leaking fuel, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of fire.

Remedy

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.

19V035000Fuel SystemJanuary 16, 2019 · 74,881 units

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.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.

Remedy

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.

18V430000Fuel SystemJune 25, 2018 · 6,633 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Audi S8 and A8 vehicles. The fuel supply line for the high pressure fuel pump may become porous over time, resulting in a fuel leak.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line, free of charge. The recall began July 20, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AV.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“Yet another beautiful Audi 3.0tfsi with the rocker arm failure … how is there not a class action lawsuit already ? I have a knock in my valve train and I just bought this car two days ago …. Audi should be liable to fix this because I didn’t know nothing about this and with a quick search…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 5, 2025

“CAR VIBRATES ABOVE 35 MILES PER HOUR. IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS ABOUT TO GIVE WAY OR FALL APART. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES BY THIS MANUFACTURER AND HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY LIKE IT BEFORE. I FEELS LIKE A BAD WHEEL BALANCING PROBLEM. WHEELS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH THOSE OF ANOTHER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 23, 2015

“THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS ARE TOO CLOSE. I CONSISTENTLY HIT THE BRAKE WHILE ACCELERATING. THEY NEED TO BE SPACED FARTHER APART, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL MOVED TO THE LEFT. THERE ARE COMMENTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND AUDI SERVICE SAYS THERE IS NO FIX. I HAVE LARGE FEET AND HAVE NEVER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 20, 2015

“FRONT COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE IN THE HEADS UP DISPLAY AND THE AUDIO PORTION OF THE ALARM IS NOT AUDIBLE. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE NO RESOLUTION. THE BLIND SIDE WARNING SYSTEM HAS NO AUDIO.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · August 2, 2019

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 AUDI A8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPEED DECREASED AND SUDDENLY FAILED TO GO OVER 40 MPH. IN ADDITION, WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 28, 2016

2015 Audi A8 — common questions

Is the 2015 Audi A8 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 46 complaints put the 2015 model at #2 of 32 A8 years. It is one of the A8 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2015 A8 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (17 complaints), brakes (4 complaints), tires & wheels (4 complaints).

Does the 2015 Audi A8 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 Audi A8. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2015 Audi A8 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Audi A8 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the A8 years to avoid are 2013, 2015, 2004. The cleanest record among A8 years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.