The coolant is leaking out and onto engine. My safety was at Risk due to the car overheating and smoking. This is a on going problem that many AUDI’s had a recall for except mines. Yes the vehicle was inspected and the warning that came up was “coolant level low turn off engine”
2011 audi A8 engine problems
moderate 6 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A8. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR AND THE "DO NOT EXCEED 4,000 RPMS" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE COOLANT WAS LEAKING THROUGH THE COOLANT VALVE CONNECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A8. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE SAFELY TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT START. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUDI OF FAIRFIELD (435 COMMERCE DR, FAIRFIELD, CT 06825, (203) 951-6570) WHERE IT W…
The contact owns a 2011 AUDI A8. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the camshaft and timing chain failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.
I WAS ACCELERATING ONTO THE FREEWAY ON RAMP WHEN THE ENGINE CUT OFF. I MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD TO BE TOWED INTO THE DEALER. THERE WAS A "COOLANT VALVE LEAK. THE COOLANT MIGRATED THROUGH A HARNESS TO THE ECM AND TO MULTIPLE CONNECTORS THOUGHOUT THE ENGINE HARNESS". THE WORST PART OF THIS SITUATION IS THE EXTREMELY DANGERO…
TAKATA RECALL COOLANT FAILER AND MOTOR
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2011 audi A8?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 6 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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