BestCarRank
Audi

2015 Audi A8

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2015 Audi A8 has 46 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.1x the segment average of 22. The most common issue is engine problems (37% of all complaints), specifically: engine stalled in traffic and car would not restart. car was operating normally, pulled up to a red light to turn left on to busy 2-lane highway. engine began sputtering and car lurched forward. light turned green, was able to turn left on to the road. i got 1/3 mile down the road and the engine. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year.

46

Total Complaints

5

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

2.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

17 complaints
37%
  • ENGINE STALLED IN TRAFFIC AND CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. CAR WAS OPERATING NORMALLY, PULLED UP TO A RED LIGHT TO TURN LEFT ON TO BUSY 2-LANE HIGHWAY. ENGINE BEGAN SPUTTERING AND CAR LURCHED FORWARD. LIGHT TURNED GREEN, WAS ABLE TO TURN LEFT ON TO THE ROAD. I GOT 1/3 MILE DOWN THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE
  • THE CAR EXPERIENCED A OIL SEPARATOR FAILURE. THE MADE AN EXTREMELY LOUD WHISTLING SOUND AT IDLE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND AUDI ISSUED A TSB FOR IT BUT DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL. THE CAR RAN VERY ROUGH. TO FIS THIS ISSUE I HAD TO PAY OVER $2,000 TO HAVE AN NEW VERSION OF THE OIL SEPARATOR INSTALLED.
  • I HAVE OWNED MY 2015 AUDI 8L FOR 6 MONTHS AND IT HAS STARTED TO STALL WHENEVER I START THE INITIATION BUTTON. OFTEN TIMES IT WILL JUST SHIFT OFF CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO RESTART IT MULTIPLE TIMES. I BROUGHT THIS ISSUE UP MY LOCAL AUDI DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE ACTED AS IF THEY WERE TOTALLY UNAWARE OF TH
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

ENGINE STALLED IN TRAFFIC AND CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. CAR WAS OPERATING NORMALLY, PULLED UP TO A RED LIGHT TO TURN LEFT ON TO BUSY 2-LANE HIGHWAY. ENGINE BEGAN SPUTTERING AND CAR LURCHED FORWARD. LIGHT TURNED GREEN, WAS ABLE TO TURN LEFT ON TO THE ROAD. I GOT 1/3 MILE DOWN THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2015 Audi A8

Based on 29 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 19K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
16
30-60K
7
60-100K
4
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ENGINE

High-mileage issuemedian 68K mi · 10 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
2
60-100K
4
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (5)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS25/06/2018

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.

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2015 Audi A8

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,182
Per month
$182
Per mile
18.2¢
MPG
22
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,667/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,600/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2015 Audi A8

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,971
Full coverage / month
$164
Liability only / year
$710
vs US avg
+18%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1971

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Audi A8 Service Intervals

Oil change
10K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
10K mi
Brake fluid
24 months
Transmission fluid
40K mi
Engine coolant
100K mi
Spark plugs
60K mi
Cabin air filter
20K mi
Engine air filter
40K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
40K mi

Long-interval service (LongLife) uses fully-synthetic oil. Some engines have timing belts (check owner's manual).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Audi New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
4 yr / 50K mi
Powertrain
4 yr / 50K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
12 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
4 yr / unlimited mi

Corrosion coverage is unlimited miles for 12 years

These are the terms for a new Audi. If you're buying a used 2015 A8, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Audi dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500
WHEELS(~50K mi)
$500
SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 46 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ENGINE: ENGINE STALLED IN TRAFFIC AND CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. CAR WAS OPERATING NORMALLY, PULLED UP TO A RED LIGHT TO TURN LEFT ON TO BUSY 2-LANE HIGHWAY. ENGINE BEGAN SPUTTERING AND CAR LURCHED FORWARD. LIGHT TURNED GREEN, WAS ABLE TO TURN LEFT ON TO THE ROAD. I GOT 1/3 MILE DOWN THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • BRAKES: THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS ARE TOO CLOSE. I CONSISTENTLY HIT THE BRAKE WHILE ACCELERATING. THEY NEED TO BE SPACED FARTHER APART, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL MOVED TO THE LEFT. THERE ARE COMMENTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND AUDI SERVICE SAYS THERE IS NO FIX. I HAVE LARGE FEET AND HAVE NEVE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • WHEELS: CAR VIBRATES ABOVE 35 MILES PER HOUR. IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS ABOUT TO GIVE WAY OR FALL APART. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES BY THIS MANUFACTURER AND HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY LIKE IT BEFORE. I FEELS LIKE A BAD WHEEL BALANCING PROBLEM. WHEELS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH THOSE OF ANOTH

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • SPEED CONTROL: THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS ARE TOO CLOSE. I CONSISTENTLY HIT THE BRAKE WHILE ACCELERATING. THEY NEED TO BE SPACED FARTHER APART, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL MOVED TO THE LEFT. THERE ARE COMMENTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND AUDI SERVICE SAYS THERE IS NO FIX. I HAVE LARGE FEET AND HAVE NEVE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Audi dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
46
Recalls
5
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
22

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2015 Audi A8