2019 Audi A8 Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026

Caution

Ranks 9th of 12 A8 years we score.

Owner complaints: 14; 1 is a recall notice
Per 10,000 cars: 29.0; 4,490 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 1.5×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 9; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 3
NHTSA crash rating: –

← 2018 A8 2020 A8 →

Should You Buy the 2019 Audi A8?

Only after careful checks. Our reliability score for the 2019 Audi A8 is 67 out of 100, which rates Caution. Owners reported about 1.5 times as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 9th of the 12 A8 years we score.

The most reported problem is the alternator or charging system, mostly failure or loss of drive (5 of 14 complaints). Owners also complain about the electrical system. 9 of the 14 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 3 recalls. Audi also offers four warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the fuel system, drive axles, engine and driver assistance systems.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask an Audi dealer about warranty extension AWA-22-05 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 1.5 times the problems of the average car its age
Alternator or charging: failure or loss of drive5 complaints
Electrical system (unspecified): failure or loss of drive2 complaints
First year of a new generation

How the 2019 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

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	1.8×	−22
Everyday problems	0.73×	−6
Problems in the last two years	Not counted	–
Recalls	0.72×	−5
Score		67

Problems in the last two years are not counted for the 2019 A8. If it were exactly average, its 4,490 cars would draw about 3.7 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 14 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Audi A8, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Alternator or charging: failure or loss of drive
5 complaints (36%)
Failure or loss of drive. All 5 describe a serious outcome, most often a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 43,000 miles.
Electrical system (unspecified): failure or loss of drive
2 complaints (14%)
Failure or loss of drive and the car not starting. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.

Reported Once (7)

Show the 7 problems reported once

Adaptive cruise control failure
Several warning lights at once
Engine: stalling
Piston rings: damage
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
Sunroof: unusual noises
Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking

How the 2019 Audi A8 Compares With Other Years

The other A8 years of the 4th generation, 2019 to 2026, and the years just before and after it.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2026	Too new	–	–	0.0	1	–
2025	Not scored	–	–	0.0	1	–
2024	Not scored	–	–	0.0	2	–
2023	Not scored	–	–	0.0	2	–
2022	Not scored	–	–	0.0	3	–
2021	Not scored	–	–	30.8	10	–
2020	Not scored	–	–	16.5	5	–
2019 This year	Caution	67	1.5×	29.0	3	Alternator or charging: failure or loss of drive
2018	Not scored	–	–	0.0	2	–

See every A8 year

2019 Audi A8 Recalls

Three recalls cover the 2019 Audi A8. The most recent was issued in December 2025: “Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111
A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 25V900000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 19, 2025. By the second quarter of 2026, 58% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Engine Control Module Malfunction
An engine control module malfunction may cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 21V111000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Feb 24, 2021. By the fourth quarter of 2022, 97% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Seat Improperly Manufactured
A failure of the seat track rivet increases the risk of injury during a crash.
NHTSA 19V415000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 5, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 95% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

2019 Audi A8 Warranty Extensions and Programs

Audi has four warranty extensions for the 2019 Audi A8, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the fuel system, drive axles, engine and driver assistance systems. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which an Audi dealer can check.

Warranty extensionAudi AWA-22-05
Faulty electric fuel pump
The problem:
The electric fuel pump can be faulty. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
The fix:
An Audi dealer repairs or replaces a faulty electric fuel pump, with any parts and labor needed.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2018 to 2021 S4, S5 and SQ5, 2019 to 2021 Q8 and A8, and 2020 and 2021 Q7. Cars already repaired still qualify, but totaled cars do not.
Coverage:
15 years or 150,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-23-02
CV joint failure
The problem:
A CV joint can fail from a defect. The bulletin does not say which joint or describe the symptoms.
The fix:
An Audi dealer diagnoses the CV joint and replaces it for free if it failed from a defect.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2018 Q5 and Q7, 2019 A6, A7, A8, Q5, Q7, Q8 and e-tron, and 2020 A6, A7, A8, Q5 and Q8. Other problems found during diagnosis are not covered.
Coverage:
5 years or 60,000 miles from the in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-23-07
Crankcase breather failure, 4.0 engine
The problem:
The crankcase breather on the 4.0 EA825 engine can fail from a defect. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
The fix:
An Audi dealer diagnoses the crankcase breather and replaces it for free if it failed from a defect.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2019 to 2023 Audis with the 4.0 EA825 engine. The bulletin names no model. Other problems found during diagnosis are not covered.
Coverage:
15 years or 150,000 miles from the in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
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.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2019 A8, from its three 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.

Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 NHTSA 25V900000
Engine Control Module Malfunction NHTSA 21V111000
Passenger Seat Improperly Manufactured NHTSA 19V415000

Ask an Audi Dealer

Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

AWA-22-05: faulty electric fuel pump
AWA-23-02: CV joint failure
AWA-23-07: crankcase breather failure, 4.0 engine
AWA-24-04: automatic emergency braking system faults

On the Test Drive

Ask about battery and starter replacements. A slow start after the car sits is a warning sign.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Alternator or charging system
Electrical system
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

All A8 Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Audi may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.