The 2013 draws 1.96 complaints per run and the 2005 1, a 2.0-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 6 years of age, so 82.7% land after the 4-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Engine, with 81 complaints, typically at 7.4 years.
Audi A8 years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 | 3 | yes | |
| 2015 | 31 | 18 | yes | |
| 2014 | 18 | 15 | yes | |
| 2013 | 47 | 24 | yes | |
| 2012 | 10 | 8 | yes | |
| 2011 | 15 | 11 | yes | |
| 2009 | 5 | 4 | yes | |
| 2008 | 7 | 5 | yes | |
| 2007 | 4 | 3 | yes | |
| 2006 | 6 | 4 | yes | |
| 2005 | 6 | 6 | yes | |
| 2001 | 5 | 5 | yes | |
| 1999 | 8 | 5 | yes | |
| 1998 | 4 | 3 | yes | |
| 1997 | 8 | 7 | yes |
Does the market discount it? In our listings a 2013 A8 asks a median $10,900, against $11,888 for a 2014, the next model year: about 8% less, so sellers do price some of the trouble in.
Among the 8 Audi A8 years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2013, 2015, 2008; the three worth hunting are 2005, 2001, 2014.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 4.8% | covered | |
| 1 year | 8.9% | covered | |
| 2 years | 13.7% | covered | |
| 3 years | 17.3% | covered | |
| 4 years | 25% | you pay | |
| 5 years | 39.3% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 50% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 61.9% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 73.8% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 84.5% | you pay | |
| 10 years | 87.5% | you pay | |
| 11 years | 94.6% | you pay | |
| 12 years | 97% | you pay | |
| 13 years | 98.2% | you pay | |
| 14 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 4 years / 50,000 miles. Only 17.3% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 82.7% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (4 years / 50,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 55% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
On the Audi A8, the early trouble is Vehicle Speed Control — reported at around 3.5 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it. What waits further out is Engine at 7.4 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 7.4 yrs | — | 1 | |
| Electrical System | 5.8 yrs | — | 1 | |
| Power Train | 7.4 yrs | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3.5 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 8 yrs | — | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 6.4 yrs | — | — | |
| Service Brakes | 5.2 yrs | — | — | |
| Air Bags | 5.3 yrs | 3 | — |
What else in this class
6 models share the A8's vehicle class. Per production run, the Dodge Charger draws 4.56, the Chrysler 300 4.11 and the Kia K5 3.08, against 1.45 for the A8. That is the fewest complaints of the group.
| Same class as the A8 | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Charger | 133 | 1983–2026 | |
| Chrysler 300 | 86 | 1999–2026 | |
| Kia K5 | 21 | 2021–2026 | |
| Hyundai Sonata | 152 | 1989–2026 | |
| Chevrolet Impala | 98 | 1981–2026 | |
| Lincoln Continental | 80 | 1981–2026 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
- Exact value for that car, adjusted for its mileage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Alerts if a recall lands on a car in your garage
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Audi A8 reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 1.45 against 3.73 for the average car, and fewer than each of the 3 class rivals we compared.
Which A8 years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 2013, 2015, 2008. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2005, 2001, 2014. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do A8 problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 6 years of age. The most reported system is Engine, typically at 7.4 years, followed by Electrical System.
Will the warranty cover A8 problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 4 years / 50,000 miles, and only 17.3% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 55% of the complaints here.
Is the A8 more reliable than the Dodge Charger?
Yes: 1.45 complaints per production run for the A8 against 4.56 for the Dodge Charger.
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