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2016 Audi A8 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2016 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.
- 0safety recalls
- 10owner complaints
- 0crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 8%fail the UK MOT
10 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 2016 Audi A8?
The components named most often in the 10 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
Has the 2016 Audi A8 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2016 Audi A8 as of October 25, 2026. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN before you rely on this.
Is the 2016 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 DVSAFuel may escape from one or both fuel rails
Risk: It is possible that fuel may escape from one or both fuel rails (low-pressure side).
Fix: The fuel rails for the low-pressure side of both cylinder banks must be replaced on the affected vehicles.
UK DVSAAirbag/belt tensioners may not trigger in event of an accident
Risk: Due to an error in the manufacturing process the air bag and/or seat belt pretensioner may not trigger in the event of a collision
Fix: On affected vehicles replace air bag assembly and seta belt pretensioner where necessary.
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 GateDifferences in the mixture ratio for the initiating devices for the airbags or seat-belt pre-tensioners could lead to the airbags or…Differences in the mixture ratio for the initiating devices for the airbags or seat-belt pre-tensioners could lead to the airbags or seat-belt pre-tensioners not activating in the event of an accident.
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 2016 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 2016, 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 2016 Audi A8 owners report?
10 of the 10 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.
My car was schedule for the 21H7 recall. I received 2 letters this year to have the recall work done. Audi of Pittsburgh's only available date was 12/08/22. I took the car in and later that day I got a call stating the recall was done back in March of this year. I told them it was not. Later I got a call saying it was done in April of 2019. I asked for the repair order and no one will provide it. To me it seems that Audi is looking for a reason not to perform the work.
The contact owns a 2016 Audi A8. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated. Additionally, after starting the vehicle in the morning, the vehicle was shaking until the engine warmed up. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V178000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), 20V397000 (Structure), and 19V057000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle had…
Recall for turbo internals, but nothing done to remedy problem . Second issue in leaking suspension parts, which the dealership let problem continue, until warranty up.
Turbos failed which caused the car to shut down in heavy traffic on an interstate.
I was driving and my turbos blew causing my car to shut down and not be able to restart. I was in the middle of traffic and was lucky to pull over. There was no warning and I had my 2 young kids in the car and it could have caused an accident. This was dangerous for myself and other motorists. I use this vehicle as a daily driver and this should not happen. I have not had it repaired yet but I can only imagine it will costs thousands of dollars.
CAR STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN DRIVING ON CITY STREETS OR HIGHWAY. CAUSE DUE TO TURBO ISSUES
WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR 2 HOURS, SLOWED DOWN TO EXIT TO A GAS STATION, ONCE ON THE ROUTE CAR SHUT DOWN, ALL SYSTEMS INOPERATIVE STEERING AND BRAKES SOON HARDEN COULD SECURELY STOP AT GAS STATION WITH IMPULSE. CAR COULD NOT BE TURNED ON AGAIN EASILY, AND IN MY DRIVE TO THE CLOSEST HOTEL (2 MNILES) CAR WILL SHUT DOWN IF NOT CONSTANTLY ACCELERATED. DEALER TOLD ME TWO TURBOS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CAR HAD 45K MILES, LESS THAN ONE MONTH OFF CPO WARRANTY (I.E., PERFECTLY MAINTAINED).
AS A RESIDENT OF OKLAHOMA I PURCHASED A 2016 AUDI A8 FROM VROOM IN NOVEMBER 2019. I PAID THEM 30,000 CASH DOWN TO INCLUDE $4025 IN SALES TAX $73.75 DEALER INVENTORY TAX $105.50 GOV LICENSE AND REGISTRATION FEES $11.00 CERT OF TITLE FEE $25.00 VEHICLE INSPECTION FEE $150.00 SOME RANDOM DOCUMENT FEE RELATED TO REGISTRATION ALL OF WHICH VROOM HAS REFUSED TO COMPLY WITH!!! IT'S GOING ON NINE MONTHS AND I HAVE NOT HAD ANY TYPE OF REGISTRATION, LICENSE PLATE, TEMPORARY PLATE SINCE JANUARY 2020 THAT'S VALID ON THE CAR THAT I PURCHASED FROM THIS SHADY COMPANY! I SIGNED ALL THE CONTRACTS, SENT THEN THE…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 AUDI A8 EQUIPPED WITH FOUR CONTINENTAL SPORT CONTACT 5P TIRES, SIZE: 275/35R21 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT STRUCK A POTHOLE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE FLATTENED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM FAILED TO ALERT THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE DOT NUMBER AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE…
I DON'T HAVE A COMPLAINT, PER SE, I AM ALERTING YOU TO THE FACT THAT THE AUDI A8 HAS THE SAME SHIFTER AS THE JEEP CHEROKEE THAT HAS BEEN IN THE NEWS LATELY. SAME SUPPLIER, ZF.
2016 Audi A8: questions owners ask
Is the 2016 Audi A8 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 10 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Audi A8; the most common categories were engine (5, 50%), engine and engine cooling (1, 10%), fuel system (1, 10%). There are no safety recalls listed for this model year.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Audi A8?
Across 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (50% of complaints), engine and engine cooling (10% of complaints), fuel system (10% of complaints), gasoline (10% of complaints), power train (10% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2016 Audi A8 have any recalls?
As of October 2026, NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2016 Audi A8. Recalls can be issued at any time, so 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 2016 only; combines NHTSA's entries for A8 LWB and A8 NWB.