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2012 Audi A8 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2012 Audi A8 has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 1safety recall
- 11owner complaints
- 0crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 13%fail the UK MOT
11 complaints, against an average of 21 for the other 6 Audi A8 model years.
Every Audi A8 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2012 Audi A8?
The components named most often in the 11 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2012 Audi A8 owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 11 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2012 Audi A8 been recalled?
1 U.S. safety recall. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Audi A8 vehicles manufactured May 15, 2010, to May 14, 2012. The affected vehicles have a coolant valve that may leak, allowing coolant to enter the engine control module causing a loss of power or the engine to stall.
Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the coolant valve and inspect for coolant that has leaked through the electrical connector, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 19, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Is the 2012 Audi A8 recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAThe mesh size of the oil strainer in the oil supply for both turbochargers is too small
Risk: The mesh size of the oil strainer in the oil supply for both turbochargers is too small.
Fix: The oil strainer will be replaced with a revised version with a larger mesh size.
UK DVSAThe engine compartment seal may become deformed and loose
Risk: The engine compartment seal may become deformed and come loose in unfavourable circumstances
Fix: A retaining plate will be fitted on the affected vehicles to prevent the engine compartment seal from coming loose.
UK DVSAFluid may leak out of the return hose for the hydraulic power steering
Risk: Fluid may leak out of the return hose for the hydraulic power steering.
Fix: The return hose for the hydraulic power steering must be replaced on the affected vehicles.
UK DVSAFuel may leak
Risk: Fuel may leak from the injector rails. Drivers may notice a smell of fuel and or evidence of a leak
Fix: On affected vehicles replace injector rails and seals.
EU Safety GateThe vehicles are equipped with control software regarded as unauthorised by the competent authorities.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Importer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 23/04/2021
EU Safety GateThe wire coil profile used in the radiator tank seal may be deformed due to the very variable temperatures within the engine compartment.Over time, and under unfavourable conditions, this could lead to the radiator seal coming loose. A loose radiator seal could come into contact with hot components in the engine compartment as a result of vibrations during driving. This could lead to the seal and, potentially, neighbouring components starting to smoulder, increasing the risk of fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe compression joint between the hydraulic hose and the hydraulic fitting of the power steering can be put under excessive pressure.As a result, oil can leak out in the engine compartment increasing the risk of fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
How often does the 2012 Audi A8 fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2012, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2012 Audi A8 owners report?
11 of the 11 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
Check Engine ON. Diagnosed as cam shaft timing chain failure
AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON EVEN AFTER THE INITIAL STARTUP. VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND HAS NOT BEEN MOVED. CODED ERROR IS DRIVER HEAD CURTAIN IGNITER SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A8. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V619000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED BY FLETCHER JONES AUDI (1523 W NORTH AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60642, (312) 628-4300). TWO YEARS AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SPORADIC ENGINE LEAKS THAT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
POWER STEERING PUMP MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION/ NO POWER ASSIST CUSTOMER STATES STEERING WHEEL IS STIFF NO POWER ASSIT. POWER STEERING PUMP MALFUNCTION PUMP ASSEMBLY FAILED AND POWER STEERING PUMP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A8. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC POWER CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER 25 MINUTES AND TOWED TO AUDI NASHVILLE (LOCATED AT 1576 MALLORY LN, BRENTWOOD, TN 37027, (855) 574-8043). THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, BUT INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A LOOSE CONNECTION WAS FOUND ON THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE…
I'VE RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE BOTH HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMPS AND CAM FOLLOWERS AT COST TO MYSELF EVEN THOUGH AUDI EXTENDED THE WARRANTY DUE TO PREMATURE FAILURES ON SEVERAL AUDIS. APPARENTLY MY VIN WASN'T IN THE LIST . I TRIED CALLING AOA FOR ANY ASSISTANCE BUT WAS TOLD BECAUSE I ONLY OWN ONE(APPARENTLY BRAND LOYALTY MEANS BUYING 2 AT A TIME) AND I BOUGHT IT FROM AN INDEPENDENT DEALER THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I GET ALL MY WORK DONE AT THE LOCAL AUDI DEALER. SINCE THEN I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY WINDSHIELD DUE TO THE SEALS FAILING AND LEAVING ME WITH A WATER FALL IN MY CAR(I SEEN…
WITHOUT NOTICE, STEERING CEASED TO FUNCTION WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED IN A RETAIL PARKING LOT.
I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A RECALL ITEM TO BE REPLACED AND I WAS INFORMED THAT MY FUEL RAIL WAS LEAKING GAS. THEY DIDNT SAY IT WAS URGENT SO I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP AND ON MY WAS HOME I HAS THE STRONG SMELL OF GAS. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER AUDI REPAIR HOP FOR A SECOND OPINION AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS SPRAYING FUEL AND THAT IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. HE ALSO SAID THAT MY CAR WAS NOT OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE THIS TYPE OF LEAK SO IT MAY BE A DEFECT . HE ALSO SAID IT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN LEAKING FOR SOME TIME BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF RESIDUE HE SAW NEAR THE LEAK
I WAS TOLD THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE, THE ANTIFREEZE GETS INTO THE WIRING HARNESS AND FOR ME THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. TO FIX THE ISSUE THEY HAVE TO TAKE THE ENGINE OUT AND REPLACE THE WIRE HARNESS. A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX, I HAVE IT UNDER WARRANTY BUT WAS TOLD I WAS LUCKY, WHICH I ASSUME MEANS IF I DID NOT HAVE THE 100000 MILE WARRANTY I WOULD BE PAYING OUT OF POCKET. BUT IF THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE.
AFTER STARTING THE CAR IT WILL TRAVEL OR IDLE FOR 3-6 MINUTES (2-3 MILES) THEN START TO SPUTTER AND STALL. DURING THIS TIME THE YELLOW EPC LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT ARE ON. AFTER SITTING FOR 3-8 MINUTES IT MOST OFTEN STARTS BUT WILL NOT IDLE OR TRAVEL UNLESS THE EPC LIGHT GOES OUT. THIS RESTART MAY NOT BE SUCCESSFUL THE FIRST OR SECOND TIME. RUNNING OTHER SOFTWARE, AIR CONDITIONING, AND CRUISE CONTROL HAS NO INFLUENCE. PRELIMINARY COMPUTER CHECK SUGGESTS 14 FAULTS. FURTHER EXAMINATION WILL BE DONE AFTER MAY 30, 2016.
FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AIRBAG REPEATEDLY DEACTIVATES REGARDLESS OF 115 POUND ADULT SITTING PROPERLY IN THE SEAT. SAME ISSUE HAPPENED WITH THE A8 LOANER VEHICLE PROVIDED WHILE THIS CAR WAS BEING SERVICED. AUDI TRIES TO EXPLAIN IT "AS DESIGNED" SUGGESTING THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD HARM THE PASSENGER. *TR
2012 Audi A8: questions owners ask
Is the 2012 Audi A8 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 11 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Audi A8; the most common categories were engine (4, 36.4%), air bags (2, 18.2%), fuel/propulsion system (2, 18.2%). There is 1 safety recall.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Audi A8?
Across 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (36.4% of complaints), air bags (18.2% of complaints), fuel/propulsion system (18.2% of complaints), steering (18.2% of complaints), electrical system (9.1% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2012 Audi A8 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2012 Audi A8; the most recent (campaign 16V619000, 2016-08-24) concerns Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2012 Audi A8 stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
3 of the 11 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Audi A8 (27.3%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. A related recall exists: campaign 16V619000 (engine and engine cooling: engine). The fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the coolant valve and inspect for coolant that has leaked through the electrical connector, free of charge. One owner wrote: "I was told this is a recurring issue, the antifreeze gets into the wiring harness and for me the engine shut down while driving down the highway. to fix the issue they have to take the engine out and replace the wire harness." (NHTSA complaint 10897268, August 2016). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check your own A8
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2012 only.