2013 Audi A8
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2013 Audi A8 has 67 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (55% of all complaints), specifically: 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 maj.
67
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.8x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
ENGINE
37 complaints- • 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 MAJ
- • SMELLING OF ENGINE COOLANT. AFTER DRIVING FOR AN HOUR, YOU CAN SEE STEAM COMING FROM THE HOOD BUT NO LEAK.
- • MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED CATASTROPHIC FAILURE RELATED TO THE FOLLOWING AUDI TSB & NHTSA DOCUMENTED BULLETINS AND COMPLAINTS: NHTSA 1-888-327-4236 NHTSA ID 10118418 TSB ID A211724 2044640 & TSB 2040644/10 FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE OIL SEPARATOR - $254 (WITH FREE SHIPPING) FROM AUDIUSAPARTS.COM. YOU
“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 MAJ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
FUEL SYSTEM
5 complaints- • 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 CHEW
- • 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 MAJ
- • I HAD A STRONG GAS SMELL. I CHECKED INTERNET AND READ, 2013 AUDI A8 (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. IT COULD CAUSE FIRE. ACTION NEED TO FIX IT: AUDI WILL N
“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 CHEW”
— NHTSA complaint filing
OTHER
5 complaints- • SMELLING OF ENGINE COOLANT. AFTER DRIVING FOR AN HOUR, YOU CAN SEE STEAM COMING FROM THE HOOD BUT NO LEAK.
- • 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.
- • While traveling on Interstate 65 through Nashville, TN my 2013 Audi A8L showed an EPC light alert then <5 miles later while traveling through interstate split going 20mph the car without alert shut down and I lost power steering, brake control, accelerator control, electric control and was forced to
“SMELLING OF ENGINE COOLANT. AFTER DRIVING FOR AN HOUR, YOU CAN SEE STEAM COMING FROM THE HOOD BUT NO LEAK.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
BRAKES
4 complaints- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A8L. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS INSTALLED TOO CLOSE TO THE SIDE WALL ON THE FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT WAS A MANUFACTURER DESIGN WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL INSTALLATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBL
- • 1. OeM audi windshield started leaking water inside the vehicle. Thia is very unsafe when driving thru rain as water pours down the inside of the glass. 2. Uneven and creaky suspension. Vehivle pulls on side where suspension is not leveling thw vehicle out. 3. Followed all processes in changing
- • Me and my son were traveling on a business road trip from my home in Lincoln, CA to do business at several companies and end up at a customer located in Anaheim, CA. We started on [XXX] in Roseville, CA highway Interstate [XXX] traveling towards Anaheim with stops along the way. We were coming do
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A8L. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS INSTALLED TOO CLOSE TO THE SIDE WALL ON THE FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT WAS A MANUFACTURER DESIGN WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL INSTALLATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBL”
— NHTSA complaint filing
VISIBILITY
3 complaints- • TL* 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
- • 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
- • Vehicle windshield started leaking from top and visibly moves when pressed from outside. This is the original windshield, never in an accident.
“TL* 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 ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 67 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: 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 MAJ
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐FUEL SYSTEM: 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 CHEW
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: SMELLING OF ENGINE COOLANT. AFTER DRIVING FOR AN HOUR, YOU CAN SEE STEAM COMING FROM THE HOOD BUT NO LEAK.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A8L. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS INSTALLED TOO CLOSE TO THE SIDE WALL ON THE FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT WAS A MANUFACTURER DESIGN WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL INSTALLATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Audi A8 — Year Comparison
How does 2013 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 67
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 0
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2013 Audi A8