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2013 Audi A8 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2013 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.
- 6safety recalls
- 49owner complaints
- 0crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 12%fail the UK MOT
The most complained-about Audi A8 year on file: 49 complaints, against an average of 14 for the other 6 model years.
Every Audi A8 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2013 Audi A8?
The components named most often in the 49 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2013 Audi A8 owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 49 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2013 Audi A8 been recalled?
6 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine: Gasoline: Turbo/Supercharger 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Structure: Body: Hood 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.
Risk: If the seal contacts hot engine components, there could be an increased risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings 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.
Risk: Leaking fuel, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of fire.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings 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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
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.
Visibility: Sun/Moon Roof Assembly Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Audi A8 and S8 vehicles equipped with a standard sunroof, manufactured March 12, 2013, through July 15, 2013. These vehicles are equipped with a standard sunroof glass panel that may shatter.
Risk: Should the sunroof's glass break while the vehicle is in use, the falling glass could injure the driver or passengers. It could also distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof glass panel, free of charge. The recall began on October 21, 2013. Owners may contact Audi of America at 1-800-822-2834. Volkwagen's number for this campaign is 60B6/1L.
Is the 2013 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 DVSAGlass sunroof may unexpectedly break
Risk: Glass sunroof manufactured within a specific period due to stress distribution during production may break unexpectedly.
Fix: Check production date of glass roof panel and replace if necessary. Not all of the range of vins are affected.
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
EU Safety GateIn certain vehicles, fuel can leak onto the engine fuel rail.Fuel leakage close to a source of ignition may increase the risk of the vehicle catching 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 glass sliding roof of vehicles affected may suddenly break, causing the monolayer safety glass to break up into small pieces.This could lead to a road accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Other; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 04/10/2013
How often does the 2013 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 2013, 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 2013 Audi A8 owners report?
12 of the 49 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.
Engine totaled because of oil starvation I'm guessing or maybe an oil pump failure oil starvation caused Pistons to rub inside of head cost of engine and work is more than the vehicles cost so that means car is totaled
The pcv oil separator has failed and is making a whistling sound. From researching this issue it is widely known and an investigation shows it is caused in relation to a recall for the oil strainer that was done on this vehicle. I called audi dealership and they said this is not an open recall, however it seems this is exactly what caused it.
Audi, A8L 2013, also has the stuck piston. Rings end oil blow by like the other Volkswagen, defected engines of the same year yesterday while driving my car ended up stalling on a road with traffic behind me going up a hill because too much oil I'd burnt in the cylinders, causing the spark plugs to become completely coated in oil and the cars. Electronic system registered multiple misfires, multiple cylinders. Are misfired and multiple other safety epc codes, causing the vehicle to not be able to drive more than 5 miles an hour, stuttering. Which also caused the engine to almost stall, losing…
Brake pedal is hard when starting the vehicle. Brake pedal turns soft when engine is started. The brake pedal is so hard that it requires significant force to depress sufficiently to start the engine. This indicates loss of vacuum in brake booster when engine is off. The vehicle is equipped with a start/stop system and it seems likely that the brakes would not sufficiently hold the vehicle when the start/stop system turns off the engine.
Me and my son were traveling on a business road trip from my home in Lincoln, CA to do business at several companies and end up at a customer located in Anaheim, CA. We started on [XXX] in Roseville, CA highway Interstate [XXX] traveling towards Anaheim with stops along the way. We were coming down [XXX] on the southside of the grapevine at the speed limit of 70 MPH, when the engine began to stall, and the steering also began to lock up. We began losing control of the vehicle and engine power was failing and stalling. In addition, the stall was impacting the car battery. We had difficulty…
Me and my son were traveling on a business road trip from my home in Lincoln, CA to do business at several companies and end up at a customer located in Anaheim, CA. We started on [XXX] traveling towards Anaheim with stops along the way. We were coming down highway [XXX] on the southside of the grapevine at the speed limit of 70 MPH, when the engine began to stall, and the steering also began to lock up. We began losing control of the vehicle and engine power was failing and stalling. In addition, the stall was impacting the car battery. We had difficulty steering the car and controlling the…
1. OeM audi windshield started leaking water inside the vehicle. Thia is very unsafe when driving thru rain as water pours down the inside of the glass. 2. Uneven and creaky suspension. Vehivle pulls on side where suspension is not leveling thw vehicle out. 3. Followed all processes in changing brake pads, toros, sensors etc. Brake light doesnt go away after replacing all brake components and resetting brake warning light. Very uneasy feeling driving around qithtbhe light on as unsure as to brakes would spontaneously fail.
FAILURE BOTH TURBOS Purchased Audi Naples Jan 2018 Maintained at Audi Ft Myers Audi While on a vacation from our home in Florida to New England our Audi A8 experienced a major turbo failure while on an Interstate highway. On 8/6/21 I was traveling in the middle lane of I495 at 65 mph, when traffic slowed, the car stalled. With cars passing me on both sides I eventually managed to get the car started and made it to exit 15 (rt44) going toward Plymouth, MA. This truly was a scary situation, waiting to be rear ended. While on rt 44 it died again in traffic. I managed to make it into the breakdown…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A8. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V397000 (STRUCTURE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. FATHERS & SONS-AUDI WEST SPRINGFIELD (434 MEMORIAL AVE, WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA 01089) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE EPC LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH, AND SHORTLY AFTER DIED OUT COMPLETELY. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ONE BEHIND ME WHEN THE CAR DIED, AND THAT I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE AND WAS ABLE TO LIMP ONTO THE SHOULDER. WAITED FOR TOW TRUCK. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER WHERE A FAULTY TURBOCHARGER WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE REASON FOR VEHICLE BREAKING DOWN
SUSPENSION FAILS DURING DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A8L. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS INSTALLED TOO CLOSE TO THE SIDE WALL ON THE FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT WAS A MANUFACTURER DESIGN WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL INSTALLATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300....UPDATED 05/08/13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION WITH THE DEALER, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SPACING BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE FOOTWELL SIDE WALL WAS DIFFERENT BETWEEN 2011 AND 2013 MODEL YEARS. THE LOSS OF 3/4 OF AN INCH IS…
2013 Audi A8: questions owners ask
Is the 2013 Audi A8 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 49 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Audi A8; the most common categories were engine (36, 73.5%), fuel/propulsion system (5, 10.2%), service brakes (4, 8.2%). There are 6 safety recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Audi A8?
Across 49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (73.5% of complaints), fuel/propulsion system (10.2% of complaints), service brakes (8.2% of complaints), power train (6.1% of complaints), suspension (6.1% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2013 Audi A8 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2013 Audi A8; the most recent (campaign 22V178000, 2022-03-23) concerns Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine: Gasoline: Turbo/Supercharger. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2013 Audi A8 stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
16 of the 49 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Audi A8 (32.7%) 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: "The car start chugging and lost power while driving. My safety and the safety of other drivers were at risk, because the vehicle stalled immediately. This issue happened while exiting off the highway." (NHTSA complaint 11426929, July 2021). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why won't my 2013 Audi A8 start?
5 of the 49 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Audi A8 (10.2%) describe the car failing to start. One owner wrote: "After exiting the highway the car just stopped running. There was no warning and all power was lost. Engine would not start up and vehicle had to be towed from the road. It was at night and the car stopped dead at an intersection (safety)." (NHTSA complaint 11420342, June 2021). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Does the 2013 Audi A8 have turbo problems?
5 of the 49 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Audi A8 (10.2%) describe turbocharger failure or turbo noise. One owner wrote: "Driving with my 3 kids on the highway, the car lost power and stalled. wouldn't start. after research, found out i was the next in a long line of folks with a 4.0t engine turbo failure." (NHTSA complaint 11234714, July 2019). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2013 Audi A8 idle rough, misfire or hesitate?
4 of the 49 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Audi A8 (8.2%) describe rough idling, misfires or hesitation when accelerating. One owner wrote: "Driving up an inclined road at night. Car engine started to sputter and jerk and lost power. Was able to get to the side of the road out of traffic at the top of the hill? I was able to coast down the hill to a gas station." (NHTSA complaint 11667840, June 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
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 2013 only.