The Audi V8 spans 1991–1994 with 7 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 1991, 1992, 1994 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1993, 1994, 1992. It delivers up to 15 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Audi V8 is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1991 to 1994 across multiple generations.
How to read a Audi V8 VIN — every digit explained
Every Audi V8 carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Audi and the country it was built in (real Audi codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this V8.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- GermanyWA1 · WAU · WU1 · WUA
- HungaryTRU
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your V8, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Audi V8 have?
The Audi V8 has 7 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1991–1994. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
1993 Audi V8 recalls 1
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive
What's wrong. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME AIR BAG SENSORS DO NOT COMPLY WITH AUDI'S DURABILITY STANDARDS OVER THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE.
Risk. IN THE EVENT THE SENSOR SHOULD MALFUNCTION, THE AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM CAN INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY. DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM WITHOUT WARNING COULD CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOSE VEHICLE CONTROL.
Fix. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG SENSOR CONTROL MODULE.
1992 Audi V8 recalls 2
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive
What's wrong. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME AIR BAG SENSORS DO NOT COMPLY WITH AUDI'S DURABILITY STANDARDS OVER THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE.
Risk. IN THE EVENT THE SENSOR SHOULD MALFUNCTION, THE AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM CAN INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY. DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM WITHOUT WARNING COULD CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOSE VEHICLE CONTROL.
Fix. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG SENSOR CONTROL MODULE.
Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.
What's wrong. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITOR CONTAINED IN THE AMPLIFIER FOR EACH REAR SPEAKER COULD LEAK AN ELECTROLYTE, WHICH MAY IN TIME AND IN THE PRESENCE OF HUMIDITY, CAUSE AN UNWANTED CONDUCTIVE PATH.
Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE AMPLIFIER OVERHEATING AND A POTENTIAL FIRE RISK.
Fix. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AMPLIFIERS FOR THE REAR SPEAKER ASSEMBLIES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 10, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
1991 Audi V8 recalls 4
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive
What's wrong. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME AIR BAG SENSORS DO NOT COMPLY WITH AUDI'S DURABILITY STANDARDS OVER THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE.
Risk. IN THE EVENT THE SENSOR SHOULD MALFUNCTION, THE AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM CAN INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY. DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM WITHOUT WARNING COULD CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOSE VEHICLE CONTROL.
Fix. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG SENSOR CONTROL MODULE.
Equipment:mechanical:accessory Scissor/screw/bottle Jack/lift
What's wrong. INSTRUCTION LABEL IN THE TRUNK OF VEHICLE IS INCORRECT FOR THE JACK SUPPLIED WITH THE VEHICLE.
Risk. INCORRECT USE CAN RESULT IN THE JACK COLLAPSING, WITHINJURY TO INDIVIDUALS UNDER OR NEAR VEHICLE DURING COLLAPSE.
Fix. SUPPLY INSERT TO OWNER'S MANUAL NOTING CORRECT USAGE, AS WELL AS A CORRECTED INSTRUCTION LABEL FOR THE TRUNK.
Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong. A BUSHING WHICH GUIDES THE CRUISE CONTROL ROD CAN, OVER TIME, DETERIORATE AND CAUSE THE CONTROL ROD TO BIND.
Risk. A BINDING CONTROL ROD CAN IMPEDE THE RETURN OF THE THROTTLE PLATE TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION.
Fix. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONTROL ROD BUSHING WITH AN IMPROVED VERSION.
Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.
What's wrong. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITOR CONTAINED IN THE AMPLIFIER FOR EACH REAR SPEAKER COULD LEAK AN ELECTROLYTE, WHICH MAY IN TIME AND IN THE PRESENCE OF HUMIDITY, CAUSE AN UNWANTED CONDUCTIVE PATH.
Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE AMPLIFIER OVERHEATING AND A POTENTIAL FIRE RISK.
Fix. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AMPLIFIERS FOR THE REAR SPEAKER ASSEMBLIES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 10, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
Best and worst years for the Audi V8
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 4 tracked years, the worst years are 1991, 1992, 1994 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1993, 1994, 1992.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 V8 | Vehicle Speed Control | Avoid | |
| 1992 V8 | Equipment | Avoid | |
| 1993 V8 | — | Best | |
| 1994 V8 | — | Avoid |
What are the most common Audi V8 problems?
The most-reported Audi V8 problems are Equipment (1 reports), Hydraulic (1 reports) and Service Brakes (1 reports) — out of 3 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Audi V8 specifications & dimensions
The 1994 Audi V8 measures 192″ long on a 106″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 4,012 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Audi V8 window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 192″ | 71″ | 56″ | 106″ | 4,012 lb |
| 1991 | 192″ | 71″ | 56″ | 106″ | 3,902 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Audi V8 cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the V8 holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 94 cu ft of passenger volume and 17 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Audi V8 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Audi V8 get?
The Audi V8 returns up to 15 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $5,150/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1994 Audi V8 (4.2L 8-cyl) gets 15 mpg combined and costs about $5,150/yr to fuel, emitting 592 g/mi CO₂ — about $14,750 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 V8 | 13 | 18 | $5,150 | 592 | — | 4.2L 8-cyl | |
| 1993 V8 | 13 | 18 | $5,150 | 592 | — | 4.2L 8-cyl | |
| 1992 V8 | 13 | 18 | $5,150 | 592 | — | 4.2L 8-cyl | |
| 1991 V8 | 14 | 19 | $4,150 | 592 | — | 3.6L 8-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the V8 stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this V8's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Audi V8 have? Power & range
The Audi V8 is offered with 1 powertrain — 4.2L 8-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 4.2L · 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Audi V8 cost to own?
A Audi V8 tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Check what a used V8 is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this V8 loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $25,750 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the V8 ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Audi V8 safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the V8 yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Audi V8 last?
A well-maintained Audi V8 typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Check your Audi V8’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this V8’s VIN free →All Audi V8 model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Audi V8 — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 V8 | 0 | — | |
| 1993 V8 | 1 recall | — | |
| 1992 V8 | 2 recalls | — | |
| 1991 V8 | 4 recalls | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the V8?
By owner-complaint volume, 1991, 1992, 1994 drew the most reports. 1993, 1994, 1992 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the V8 have?
7 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1991–1994. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Audi recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the V8 get?
Up to 15 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a V8 last?
A well-maintained V8 typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the V8 reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the V8 is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Audi V8 warranty?
New Audi models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 4 years / 50,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Audi dealer.
Where is the Audi V8 made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your V8's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Audi may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much does a V8 weigh?
The V8's curb weight is around 4,012 lb. Its GVWR — the maximum loaded weight — decodes from the VIN.
How much ground clearance does the V8 have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.