KnownCarProblems2013 Audi A8 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 49 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Audi A8, most often about the engine (76% of complaints, typically around 64,500 miles). It is the most complained-about A8 model year since 2000 and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2013 Audi A8 problems
Engine
37 complaints · 76%Half of these problems showed up before 64,500 miles.
Driving at speed limit on US highway in heavy traffic in the near northern suburbs of chicago, experienced sudden loss of power. Vehicle began running very rough and eventually stalled in left lane. Sudden lack of power, stall and unanticipated loss of speed nearly caused accident and did cause major traffic back up.…
I was driving and noticed the car was idling ruff. So I put the car in neutral and it stalled then I restarted it then noticed massive power loss. So I drove home and called for a tow to the nearest dealer and they told me the car had two blown turbos and its going to cost me $10.000.00. And my warranty won't cover it…
Fuel system
5 complaints · 10%Depressing accelerator at first failed to move the car; then it surged until braked; then it failed to move the car on the next depression; again followed by a surge. This happened as I was turning into a lane of oncoming cars where I had plenty of time to make the turn safely but that time was chewed up trying to get…
Driving at speed limit on US highway in heavy traffic in the near northern suburbs of chicago, experienced sudden loss of power. Vehicle began running very rough and eventually stalled in left lane. Sudden lack of power, stall and unanticipated loss of speed nearly caused accident and did cause major traffic back up.…
Other or unspecified
5 complaints · 10%Water leak from windshield. Technician noted leak from windshield sealant. Every time it would rain passenger side would get flooded with water from leak clearly a manufacture problem from the sealant.
Brakes
4 complaints · 8%Visibility and wipers
3 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: sun/moon roof assembly.
The contact owns a 2013 Audi A8. While driving approximately 70 MPH, a loud booming noise was heard and the glass sun roof suddenly shattered. The sun roof was closed at the time of the failure. The vehicle was taken to Audi of lafayette located in lafayette, louisiana. The cause of the failure was not determined. The…
At 69946 miles it started leaking water when raining from top of windshield in the middle by the rear view mirror,on top of all electronic components.from that incident car is not running,because water got on to all kind of electronics that control engine,transmission,radio.......when I did research,find out that its…
Suspension
3 complaints · 6%Transmission
3 complaints · 6%I was driving on the highway, the vehicle epc light came on. Vehicle began to run rough, and shortly after died out completely. Luckily there was no one behind me when the car died, and that I was in the right lane and was able to limp onto the shoulder. Waited for tow truck. Had car towed to dealer where a faulty…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 Audi A8 recalls
Engine: turbo/supercharger
Risk: Worn bearings can cause the turbine wheel to contact the turbocharger housing or cause the shaft to break, causing an engine stall and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the oil strainer and perform an oil change, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed august 4, 2022. Owners may contact audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 21h7.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (audi) is recalling certain 2013-2017 a8, s6 sedan, s7, s8, and 2014-2017 rs7 vehicles. The turbocharger oil supply strainer can become blocked, causing wear to the bearings due to lack of lubrication.
Body and structure: hood
Risk: If the seal contacts hot engine components, there could be an increased risk of a fire.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install a retaining plate to prevent the engine compartment seal from loosening. The recall began september 4, 2020. Owners may contact audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 51g6.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2018 audi s8 and a8 vehicles. The seal around the engine compartment may come loose and contact hot engine components.
Fuel system: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: Leaking fuel, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of fire.
Fix: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will install a fuel pressure damper, free of charge. The recall began february 21, 2019. Owners may contact audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20bm.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 audi a8 and s8 vehicles. The fuel supply line for the high pressure fuel pump may become porous and leak fuel.
Fuel system: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line, free of charge. The recall began july 20, 2018. Owners may contact audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20av.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2015 audi s8 and a8 vehicles. The fuel supply line for the high pressure fuel pump may become porous over time, resulting in a fuel leak.
Engine
Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Visibility and wipers: sun/moon roof assembly
Risk: Should the sunroof's glass break while the vehicle is in use, the falling glass could injure the driver or passengers. It could also distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof glass panel, free of charge. The recall began on october 21, 2013. Owners may contact audi of america at 1-800-822-2834. Volkwagen's number for this campaign is 60b6/1l.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 audi a8 and s8 vehicles equipped with a standard sunroof, manufactured march 12, 2013, through july 15, 2013. These vehicles are equipped with a standard sunroof glass panel that may shatter.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Engine stall - turbo failure
Summary
On march 29, 2021, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe 21-009) after the agency received 58 reports alleging engine stalling in 2013-2016my audi vehicle models a8, s6, s7, s8 & rs7 equipped with the 4.0l, twin-turbocharged engine. Complainants reported the vehicles would stall with no warning while driving at highway or city traffic speeds. Several of the complainants alleged an inability to restart. The complaints alleged the major contributing factor to the engine stalling was the failure of the turbochargers. The complaints cited the turbocharger failure was a result of oil starvation due to a clogged oil strainer in the turbocharger oil supply li
Engine stall - turbo failure
Summary
On march 29, 2021, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened preliminary evaluation (pe) 21-009 after the agency received 58 reports alleging engine stalling in 2013-2016my audi vehicle models a8, s6, s7, s8 & rs7. The subject vehicles are equipped with 4.0l, twin-turbocharged engine. Complainants reported that the vehicles stall suddenly with no warning while driving on the highway or in city traffic. Several of the complainants alleged an inability to restart. The complaints allege the major contributing factor to the engine stalling is the failure of the turbochargers. The complaints further allege the turbocharger failure is a result of oil starvation due to a clogged oil strainer
Questions about the 2013 Audi A8
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Audi A8?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (37 complaints, typically around 64,500 miles); fuel system (5 complaints); other or unspecified (5 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Audi A8 have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 23, 2022 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the Audi A8?
- It is the most complained-about A8 model year since 2000, with 49 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.
Other Audi A8 years
- 2013
- 2015