2012 Audi A8: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
79,628 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 11 complaints (36.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 2 | 18.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 18.2% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 18.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 9.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
Engine: 4; Air Bags: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Steering: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Electrical System: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 1; Seats: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2013: 1; 2016: 3; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 3; 2020: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10504480 · 2013-03-25 (March 25, 2013)
FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AIRBAG REPEATEDLY DEACTIVATES REGARDLESS OF 115 POUND ADULT SITTING PROPERLY IN THE SEAT. SAME ISSUE HAPPENED WITH THE A8 LOANER VEHICLE PROVIDED WHILE THIS CAR WAS BEING SERVICED. AUDI TRIES TO EXPLAIN IT "AS DESIGNED" SUGGESTING THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD HARM THE PASSENGER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10504480 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10871300 · 2016-05-27 (May 27, 2016)
AFTER STARTING THE CAR IT WILL TRAVEL OR IDLE FOR 3-6 MINUTES (2-3 MILES) THEN START TO SPUTTER AND STALL. DURING THIS TIME THE YELLOW EPC LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT ARE ON. AFTER SITTING FOR 3-8 MINUTES IT MOST OFTEN STARTS BUT WILL NOT IDLE OR TRAVEL UNLESS THE EPC LIGHT GOES OUT. THIS RESTART MAY NOT BE SUCCESSFUL THE FIRST OR SECOND TIME. RUNNING OTHER SOFTWARE, AIR CONDITIONING, AND CRUISE CONTROL HAS NO INFLUENCE. PRELIMINARY COMPUTER CHECK SUGGESTS 14 FAULTS. FURTHER EXAMINATION WILL BE DONE AFTER MAY 30, 2016.
Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10871300 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10897268 · 2016-08-19 (August 19, 2016)
I WAS TOLD THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE, THE ANTIFREEZE GETS INTO THE WIRING HARNESS AND FOR ME THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. TO FIX THE ISSUE THEY HAVE TO TAKE THE ENGINE OUT AND REPLACE THE WIRE HARNESS. A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX, I HAVE IT UNDER WARRANTY BUT WAS TOLD I WAS LUCKY, WHICH I ASSUME MEANS IF I DID NOT HAVE THE 100000 MILE WARRANTY I WOULD BE PAYING OUT OF POCKET. BUT IF THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE.
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10897268 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10919989 · 2016-10-29 (October 29, 2016)
I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A RECALL ITEM TO BE REPLACED AND I WAS INFORMED THAT MY FUEL RAIL WAS LEAKING GAS. THEY DIDNT SAY IT WAS URGENT SO I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP AND ON MY WAS HOME I HAS THE STRONG SMELL OF GAS. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER AUDI REPAIR HOP FOR A SECOND OPINION AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS SPRAYING FUEL AND THAT IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. HE ALSO SAID THAT MY CAR WAS NOT OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE THIS TYPE OF LEAK SO IT MAY BE A DEFECT . HE ALSO SAID IT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN LEAKING FOR SOME TIME BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF RESIDUE HE SAW NE…
Owner-reported narrative. 75,257 miles reported. Look up ODI 10919989 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11043392 · 2017-11-05 (November 5, 2017)
WITHOUT NOTICE, STEERING CEASED TO FUNCTION WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED IN A RETAIL PARKING LOT.
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11043392 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11143725 · 2018-10-29 (October 29, 2018)
I'VE RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE BOTH HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMPS AND CAM FOLLOWERS AT COST TO MYSELF EVEN THOUGH AUDI EXTENDED THE WARRANTY DUE TO PREMATURE FAILURES ON SEVERAL AUDIS. APPARENTLY MY VIN WASN'T IN THE LIST . I TRIED CALLING AOA FOR ANY ASSISTANCE BUT WAS TOLD BECAUSE I ONLY OWN ONE(APPARENTLY BRAND LOYALTY MEANS BUYING 2 AT A TIME) AND I BOUGHT IT FROM AN INDEPENDENT DEALER THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I GET ALL MY WORK DONE AT THE LOCAL AUDI DEALER. SINCE THEN I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY WINDSHIELD DUE TO THE SEALS FAILING AND …
Owner-reported narrative. 109,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11143725 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11222486 · 2019-06-25 (June 25, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A8. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC POWER CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER 25 MINUTES AND TOWED TO AUDI NASHVILLE (LOCATED AT 1576 MALLORY LN, BRENTWOOD, TN 37027, [phone removed]). THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, BUT INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A LOOSE CONNECTION WAS FOUND ON THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ON A…
Owner-reported narrative. 83,998 miles reported. Look up ODI 11222486 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11234264 · 2019-07-23 (July 23, 2019)
POWER STEERING PUMP MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION/ NO POWER ASSIST CUSTOMER STATES STEERING WHEEL IS STIFF NO POWER ASSIT. POWER STEERING PUMP MALFUNCTION PUMP ASSEMBLY FAILED AND POWER STEERING PUMP
Owner-reported narrative. 160,247 miles reported. Look up ODI 11234264 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V619000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Reported: 2016-08-24 (August 24, 2016)
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.
Consequence: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗