2007 A8
2nd generation (D3)
Excellent
Most reported problems
- Sunroof: parts breaking or coming apart43%
- Per 10k cars
- 13.7
- Complaints
- 7
- Recalls
- 2
Audi A8 Reliability Rankings: Years to Avoid and Best Years to Buy
NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026
According to our reliability score system, the best Audi A8 years to buy are the 2006 and 2007. Both come from the 2nd generation (D3), model years 2004 to 2010.
The 2013 rates Avoid, and the 2014 and 2015 need a careful look. Owners of the 2013 to 2015 most often report the turbocharger, mostly stalling.
Want something recent? Of the A8s from 2011 on, the 2011, 2012, 2016 and 2017 rate Good. Watch out for the 2013 to 2015 and 2019. The 2018 and 2020 to 2024 have too little data to score. The 2025 and 2026 are too new for a final score.
Looking at older A8s, from before 2011? The 2004 to 2007 rate Good or Excellent. The 2000 to 2003 and 2008 to 2010 have too little data to score.
70
Good
Model score, all years
27
Model years tracked
271
Owner complaints
26
Recalls, all years
Avoid1 year
Not rated yet: 2025, 2026, too new for a final score. Not enough data to score: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.
Excellent 80+Good 70–79Caution 60–69Avoid under 60 Provisional, with 80% range 70 = average for a car of the same age
Best Years to Buy an Audi A8
Two A8 years rate Excellent, scoring 80 or higher. The 2006 and 2007 lead with 81.
81
2006 A8
2nd generation (D3)
Excellent
Most reported problems
- Floor mat retention: sticking or stiffness33%
- Per 10k cars
- 11.1
- Complaints
- 6
- Recalls
- 2
Also rated Good: 2004–2005, 2011–2012, 2016–2017.
Audi A8 Years to Avoid
The 2013 is the only A8 year rated Avoid, with a score of 58. The others are the lowest-scoring years rated Caution.
2013 A8
3rd generation (D4)
Avoid
Most reported problems
- Turbocharger: stalling42%
- Body seals (water leak): water leaking in8%
- Engine: stalling5%
- Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil5%
- Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking5%
- PCV valve or crankcase breather: a loss of power3%
- Per 10k cars
- 84.1
- Complaints
- 62
- Recalls
- 6
Audi extended the warranty on some 2013 A8s for problems with the engine and driver assistance systems.
Full 2013 report →2014 A8
3rd generation (D4)
Caution
Most reported problems
- Turbocharger: stalling46%
- Body seals (water leak): water leaking in8%
- Cooling system: a leak8%
- Engine: a loss of power8%
- Turbo oil strainer failure8%
- Sunroof: unusual noises8%
- Per 10k cars
- 41.2
- Complaints
- 24
- Recalls
- 5
Audi extended the warranty on some 2014 A8s for problems with the emissions system, engine and driver assistance systems.
Full 2014 report →2015 A8
3rd generation (D4)
Caution
Most reported problems
- Turbocharger: stalling41%
- Brakes: vibration or shudder8%
- Engine: stalling8%
- PCV valve or crankcase breather: rough running or misfires5%
- Body seals (water leak): water leaking in5%
- Cooling system failure5%
- Per 10k cars
- 51.6
- Complaints
- 37
- Recalls
- 5
Audi extended the warranty on some 2015 A8s for problems with the emissions system, engine and driver assistance systems.
Full 2015 report →
2019 A8
4th generation
Caution
Most reported problems
- Alternator or charging: failure or loss of drive36%
- Electrical system (unspecified): failure or loss of drive14%
- Per 10k cars
- 29.0
- Complaints
- 14
- Recalls
- 3
Audi extended the warranty on some 2019 A8s for problems with the fuel system, drive axles, engine and driver assistance systems.
Full 2019 report →The Newest A8 Years: 2025–2026
A final score needs 36 months of complaints. Until then we show what we know, and a provisional reading once there is enough data.
2025 A8
Too new0 complaints and 1 recall so far.
Same generation as the 2019, which scored 67 (Caution).
What we know so far →2026 A8
Too new0 complaints and 1 recall so far. First provisional score expected around July 2027.
Same generation as the 2019, which scored 67 (Caution).
What we know so far →Audi A8 Reliability by Year
All model years, newest first. Tap a year for its full report, with the problems owners report, recalls, Audi programs and crash ratings.
| Year | Generation | Rating | Score | Vs average | Complaints | Per 10k cars | Recalls | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4th generation | Too new | – | – | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | Report |
| 2025 | 4th generation | Not enough data | – | – | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | Report |
| 2024 | 4th generation | Not enough data | – | – | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | Report |
| 2023 | 4th generation | Not enough data | – | – | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | Report |
| 2022 | 4th generation | Not enough data | – | – | 0 | 0.0 | 3 | Report |
| 2021 | 4th generation | Not enough data | – | – | 7 | 30.8 | 10 | Report |
| 2020 | 4th generation | Not enough data | – | – | 3 | 16.5 | 5 | Report |
| 2019 | 4th generation(first year) | Caution | 67 | 1.5× | 14 | 29.0 | 3 | Report |
| 2018 | 3rd generation (D4) | Not enough data | – | – | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | Report |
| 2017 | 3rd generation (D4) | Good | 77 | 0.62× | 8 | 16.6 | 3 | Report |
| 2016 | 3rd generation (D4) | Good | 72 | 0.92× | 17 | 39.5 | 4 | Report |
| 2015 | 3rd generation (D4) | Caution | 64 | 1.8× | 37 | 51.6 | 5 | Report |
| 2014 | 3rd generation (D4) | Caution | 66 | 1.4× | 24 | 41.2 | 5 | Report |
| 2013 | 3rd generation (D4) | Avoid | 58 | 2.7× | 62 | 84.1 | 6 | Report |
| 2012 | 3rd generation (D4) | Good | 77 | 0.66× | 11 | 24.2 | 1 | Report |
| 2011 | 3rd generation (D4)(first year) | Good | 74 | 0.83× | 15 | 29.5 | 1 | Report |
| 2010 | 2nd generation (D3) | Not enough data | – | – | 1 | 15.4 | 1 | Report |
| 2009 | 2nd generation (D3) | Not enough data | – | – | 7 | 34.4 | 1 | Report |
| 2008 | 2nd generation (D3) | Not enough data | – | – | 13 | 43.7 | 1 | Report |
| 2007 | 2nd generation (D3) | Excellent | 81 | 0.40× | 7 | 13.7 | 2 | Report |
| 2006 | 2nd generation (D3) | Excellent | 81 | 0.43× | 6 | 11.1 | 2 | Report |
| 2005 | 2nd generation (D3) | Good | 79 | 0.51× | 6 | 11.2 | 1 | Report |
| 2004 | 2nd generation (D3)(first year) | Good | 74 | 0.82× | 20 | 26.1 | 1 | Report |
| 2003 | 1st generation (D2) | Not enough data | – | – | 3 | 21.2 | 1 | Report |
| 2002 | 1st generation (D2) | Not enough data | – | – | 1 | 9.9 | 1 | Report |
| 2001 | 1st generation (D2) | Not enough data | – | – | 6 | 20.0 | 2 | Report |
| 2000 | 1st generation (D2) | Not enough data | – | – | 3 | 12.9 | 2 | Report |
Vs average: how this year's complaint rate compares with the average car of the same age. 1× is average, 2× is twice as many. Per 10k cars: complaints so far for every 10,000 cars Audi made for the U.S. that model year. The complaint count also includes owners who wrote in only about a recall notice, with no problem to report. The score leaves those out. Generations follow Audi's own model history.
How We Score Each Model Year
1
Count What Owners Report
Every complaint filed with NHTSA for the model year, plus its recalls. Recall-notice filings with no fault are left out.
2
Adjust for How Many Were Made
A popular car gets more complaints just because there are more of them. We divide by the number Audi made for that model year and compare with the average car of the same age.
3
Turn It Into a Score
70 is average. Twice the average rate of complaints costs 10 points, half the rate adds 10. Serious problems count more than everyday ones.
What to Do Next
Check a Model Year →Open the full report for one year: score, the problems owners report, recalls, coverage and crash ratings.Compare A8 Years →Put up to four model years side by side and see which one is more reliable.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs the automaker may still pay for after the factory warranty ends, with its own documents.Look Up a VIN →Confirm the exact model year, engine and trim of the car you are looking at.