2013 Audi A8 Reliability Report
NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026
Ranks 12th of 12 A8 years we score.
- Owner complaints
- 62
- 6 are recall notices
- Per 10,000 cars
- 84.1
- 6,661 made for the U.S.
- Vs the average car
- 2.7×
- same age, 1× is average
- Serious outcomes
- 32
- crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
- Recalls
- 6
- NHTSA crash rating
- –
Should You Buy the 2013 Audi A8?
We would look at other years first. Our reliability score for the 2013 Audi A8 is 58 out of 100, which rates Avoid. Owners reported about 2.7 times as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 12th of the 12 A8 years we score.
The most reported problem is the turbocharger, mostly stalling (26 of 62 complaints). Owners also complain about water leaks and the engine. 32 of the 62 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.
It has 6 recalls. Audi also offers four warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the engine and driver assistance systems. For comparison, the 2012 scores 77 and the 2014 scores 66.
Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask an Audi dealer about warranty extension AWA-13-07 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.
Pros
- No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
- 4 Audi warranty extensions may cover repairs
Cons
- About 2.7 times the problems of the average car its age
- Turbocharger: stalling26 complaints
- Body seals (water leak): water leaking in5 complaints
- Engine: stalling3 complaints
How the 2013 A8 Earned Its Score
Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score
| Item | Vs average | Points lost |
|---|---|---|
| Starting score | 100 | |
| Serious problems | 3.1× | −26 |
| Everyday problems | 1.7× | −9 |
| Problems in the last two years | Not counted | – |
| Recalls | 1.1× | −7 |
| Score | 58 |
Problems in the last two years are not counted for the 2013 A8. If it were exactly average, its 6,661 cars would draw about 1.8 complaints in two years at this age, too few to compare. Their 30% moves to serious and everyday problems, which count for 80% of this score instead of 50%.
What Owners Report
We read all 62 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Audi A8, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first. A complaint that describes more than one problem is counted under each, so the counts add up to more than 62.
Turbocharger: stalling
26 complaints (42%)
Stalling, a loss of power and parts breaking or coming apart. 20 of these 26 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 62,000 miles.
Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
5 complaints (8%)
Water leaking in.
Engine: stalling
3 complaints (5%)
Stalling. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
3 complaints (5%)
Burning or using oil.
Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
3 complaints (5%)
Shattering or cracking.
PCV valve or crankcase breather: a loss of power
2 complaints (3%)
A loss of power and unusual noises.
Ignition coils or spark plugs: rough running or misfires
2 complaints (3%)
Rough running or misfires.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
2 complaints (3%)
A loss of power. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Suspension (part not stated) failure
2 complaints (3%)
A failure and pulling or wandering.
Turbo oil strainer failure
2 complaints (3%)
A failure.
Reported Once (16)
Show the 16 problems reported once
- Brake power assist: a hard pedal or less assist
- Brakes: warning lights
- Cooling system: smoke or a burning smell
- Engine failure: damage
- Engine mounts: parts breaking or coming apart
- Exhaust or catalytic converter failure
- Fuel system: a bad smell
- Heater: stopped working
- Electrical system (unspecified): stopped working
- Problem not described (cause not stated)
- Piston rings failure
- Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
- Stall (cause not stated)
- Transmission: a leak
- Wheel rim: damage
- Wiring, fuses or body control module: rust or corrosion
How the 2013 Audi A8 Compares With Other Years
The other A8 years of the 3rd generation (D4), 2011 to 2018, and the years just before and after it.
| Year | Rating | Score | Vs average | Per 10k cars | Recalls | Most reported problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Caution | 67 | 1.5× | 29.0 | 3 | Alternator or charging: failure or loss of drive |
| 2018 | Not scored | – | – | 0.0 | 2 | – |
| 2017 | Good | 77 | 0.62× | 16.6 | 3 | – |
| 2016 | Good | 72 | 0.92× | 39.5 | 4 | Suspension (part not stated): sticking or stiffness |
| 2015 | Caution | 64 | 1.8× | 51.6 | 5 | Turbocharger: stalling |
| 2014 | Caution | 66 | 1.4× | 41.2 | 5 | Turbocharger: stalling |
| 2013 This year | Avoid | 58 | 2.7× | 84.1 | 6 | Turbocharger: stalling |
| 2012 | Good | 77 | 0.66× | 24.2 | 1 | Cooling system: a leak |
| 2011 | Good | 74 | 0.83× | 29.5 | 1 | Cooling system: a leak |
| 2010 | Not scored | – | – | 15.4 | 1 | – |
2013 Audi A8 Recalls
Six recalls cover the 2013 Audi A8. The most recent was issued in March 2022: “Blocked Turbocharger Oil Strainer.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.
Blocked Turbocharger Oil Strainer
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.
NHTSA 22V178000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 23, 2022. By the second quarter of 2024, 79% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Engine Compartment Seal May Detach
If the seal contacts hot engine components, there could be an increased risk of a fire.
NHTSA 20V397000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jul 7, 2020. By the second quarter of 2022, 81% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel Supply Line May Become Porous and Leak Fuel
Leaking fuel, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of fire.
NHTSA 19V057000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 28, 2019. By the second quarter of 2020, 85% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel Supply Line May Leak Fuel
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
NHTSA 18V430000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 25, 2018. By the fourth quarter of 2019, 89% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Coolant Leak May Cause Engine Stall
A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 16V619000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Aug 24, 2016. By the first quarter of 2018, 83% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Sunroof May Shatter
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.
NHTSA 13V448000Issued Sep 23, 2013. By the first quarter of 2015, 96% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
2013 Audi A8 Warranty Extensions and Programs
Audi has four warranty extensions for the 2013 Audi A8, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the engine and driver assistance systems. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which an Audi dealer can check.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-13-07
Carbon buildup in engine secondary air ports
- The problem:
- Carbon can build up in the engine's secondary air ports. Fault codes then turn on the check engine light, and the car can fail an emissions test.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer diagnoses the problem and, if needed, cleans the carbon out of the secondary air ports for free.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain 2009 to 2012 Audis with the 3.2 engine and 2009 to 2013 Audis with the 3.0T engine. Other causes of the warning light and damage from tuned engine computers are not covered.
- Coverage:
- 10 years or 120,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-19-03
Crankcase ventilation valve whistle and warning light
- The problem:
- The crankcase ventilation valve can fail. It causes a whistling noise in the engine bay and turns on the check engine light.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer replaces the crankcase ventilation valve for free if it diagnoses the valve as faulty.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain 2013 to 2016 Audis with a 3.0 or 4.0 gasoline engine. Cars with a branded title, such as salvage, flood, rebuilt, fleet or lemon law buyback, or bought from a junkyard or body shop, are excluded.
- Coverage:
- 10 years or 120,000 miles from the in-service date, whichever comes first.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-22-02
4.0 engine turbo failure
- The problem:
- The turbo on the 4.0 engine can be faulty. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer repairs or replaces a faulty turbo, with any parts and labor needed.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain 2013 to 2017 Audis with the 4.0 turbo engine. The bulletin names no model. Cars already repaired still qualify, but totaled cars do not.
- Coverage:
- 10 years or 120,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-24-04
Automatic emergency braking system faults
- The problem:
- The automatic emergency braking, or AEB, system can malfunction when its control unit, a camera, the LIDAR or a sensor fails.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer repairs the AEB fault and Audi pays 75 percent of the cost. Damage from crashes, impacts, moved sensors or weather is not covered.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain Audis covered by the settlement, with a confirmed fault in the AEB control unit, cameras, LIDAR or sensors. If the new car warranty's time ran out by May 16, 2024, the extension's time limit was November 16, 2024.
- Coverage:
- Up to 12 months or 12,000 miles after the new car warranty ends. Ask an Audi dealer for the exact terms.
2013 Audi A8 NHTSA Investigations
NHTSA has opened two investigations that cover the 2013 Audi A8. One led to a recall and one other has closed.
Engine stalling after turbocharger failure
ClosedNHTSA's preliminary evaluation looked into sudden engine stalls in 2013-2016 Audi A8, S6, S7, S8 and RS7 cars with 4.0L twin-turbo engines. Owners said turbochargers failed when a clogged oil strainer cut off oil. The strainer is hard to reach for service. NHTSA and Audi had about 824 reports of these stalls. NHTSA upgraded it to an engineering analysis.
NHTSA PE21009Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Mar 29, 2021 to May 27, 2022
Turbocharger failures from a clogged oil strainer
Led to a recallNHTSA's engineering analysis looked into engine stalls in 2013-2016 Audi A8, S6, S7, S8 and RS7 cars with 4.0L twin-turbo engines. Audi filed recall 22V-178 to replace the oil strainer with a larger mesh one. Cars built since 2017 with that strainer had no reported turbo failures from oil starvation. NHTSA closed the analysis, citing the recall.
NHTSA EA22001Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Apr 4, 2022 to May 26, 2023
Check Before You Buy
A checklist for the 2013 A8, from its six recalls, four Audi warranty extensions that may still apply and the problems owners report most.
Confirm the Recalls Were Done
Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.
- Blocked Turbocharger Oil Strainer NHTSA 22V178000
- Engine Compartment Seal May Detach NHTSA 20V397000
- Fuel Supply Line May Become Porous and Leak Fuel NHTSA 19V057000
- Fuel Supply Line May Leak Fuel NHTSA 18V430000
- Coolant Leak May Cause Engine Stall NHTSA 16V619000
- Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 6 recalls and which are still open.
Ask an Audi Dealer
Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.
- AWA-13-07: carbon buildup in engine secondary air ports
- AWA-19-03: crankcase ventilation valve whistle and warning light
- AWA-22-02: 4.0 engine turbo failure
- AWA-24-04: automatic emergency braking system faults
On the Test Drive
- Listen for whistling and watch for reduced-power warnings.
- Look for water stains or damp carpet, and test the sunroof.
- Ask how often oil is added between changes, and watch for blue smoke at startup.
Ask the Seller
Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.
- Turbocharger
- Water leaks
- Engine
- Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.
Before You Pay
- Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
- Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
- Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.
What to do next