The most-reported A8 run is WAURVAFD4BN (2011 builds) with 4 complaints, 2.9× the typical run. Engine problems make up 44% of reports; 2013 is the worst model year at 2 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 24 recall campaigns for A8 model years 1997–2020.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Audi A8 has 125 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 11% of every A8 complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAURVAFD4BN•••••• | 2011 | — | — | |
| WAUR2AFD9DN•••••• | 2013 | — | — | |
| WAUR2AFD3DN•••••• | 2013 | — | — | |
| WAURGAFD0DN•••••• | 2013 | — | — | |
| WAU32AFD8FN•••••• | 2015 | — | — | |
| WAUR2AFD8DN•••••• | 2013 | — | — | |
| WAUR2AFD1DN•••••• | 2013 | — | — | |
| WAU32AFD3FN•••••• | 2015 | — | — | |
| WAUR2AFD0DN•••••• | 2013 | — | — | |
| WAUR2AFD0EN•••••• | 2014 | — | — | |
| WAUR2AFD4DN•••••• | 2013 | — | — | |
| WAUBG34D0XN•••••• | 1999 | — | — |
Each of the other 113 A8 runs has 3 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 54 A8 VINs so far, most often 2019, 2015, 2016 builds; 3 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Audi A8 the gap between build years is 2×: a 2013 car draws 2 complaints per run, a 2001 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 | 3 | — | |
| 2015 | 31 | 18 | 1 | |
| 2014 | 18 | 15 | — | |
| 2013 | 47 | 24 | — | |
| 2012 | 10 | 8 | — | |
| 2011 | 15 | 11 | — | |
| 2009 | 5 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2008 | 7 | 5 | 2 | |
| 2007 | 4 | 3 | — | |
| 2006 | 6 | 4 | — | |
| 2005 | 6 | 6 | — | |
| 2001 | 5 | 5 | — | |
| 1999 | 8 | 5 | — | |
| 1998 | 4 | 3 | 1 | |
| 1997 | 8 | 7 | — |
Heaviest year here is 2013 at 2 complaints per run; lightest is 2001 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 44% of everything Audi A8 owners report: Engine, 81 of 181 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | — | 1 | |
| Electrical System | — | 1 | |
| Power Train | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | — | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | — | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | — | — | |
| Service Brakes | — | — | |
| Air Bags | 3 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 24 recall campaigns on the Audi A8; the 6 below cover build years 1997 to 2018. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 08V397000 | Power Train:automatic Transmission | 1997–2003 |
| 20V397000 | Structure:body:hood | 2013–2018 |
| 22V178000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger | 2013–2017 |
| 19V035000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail | 2015–2018 |
| 19V057000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings | 2013–2016 |
| 16V619000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 2010–2013 |
08V397000 was opened in 2008 on cars built from 1997: 11 years on the road before the recall.
The A8 against its rivals
The A8 draws 1.4 complaints per production run; the Lincoln Continental 2.6, the Cadillac CT6 1.2 and the Cadillac XTS 1.6.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi A8 | 181 | 125 | 2.8% | |
| Lincoln Continental | 1,344 | 521 | 4.2% | |
| Cadillac CT6 | 75 | 61 | 6.7% | |
| Cadillac XTS | 200 | 129 | 2% |
How serious were they
Of the 181 reports on the Audi A8, 2.8% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Audi A8 | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 181 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 5 (2.8%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 3 (1.7%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 52% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Audi A8 share of that is 181 complaints over 125 runs, 0.02% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Audi A8 VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 181 NHTSA complaints from 125 A8 runs and 24 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which A8 production run has the most complaints?
WAURVAFD4BN, a 2011 build, with 4 complaints. The typical A8 run has 1.4.
Which A8 years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2013 is heaviest at 2 complaints per run and 2001 lightest at 1.
Does the A8 get more complaints than the Lincoln Continental?
No: 1.4 complaints per production run for the A8 against 2.6 for the Lincoln Continental.
How many A8 complaints involve a crash?
2.8% of 181 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 3 involved a fire.
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