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moderate Owners of the 2012 Audi A8 have filed 3 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 A8 | 6 |
| 2012 A8 (this page) | 3 |
| 2013 A8 | 29 |
| 2014 A8 | 11 |
| 2015 A8 | 15 |
Of the 3 engine complaints filed for the 2012 Audi A8, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Of the 5 model years of Audi A8 we track for engine problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (3).
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin provides informaiton when the engine is not running smoothly, misfiring.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information on VIN Plates, Safety Certification labels, and the ordering procedures.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information regarding UV leak additive for finding oil leaks.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides informatin when the engine does not run smoothly at idling speeds.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information when the MIL is on; DTCs for misfire, air/fuel ratio imbalance, or lean fuel system stored in the ECM P030000.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
I've recently had to replace both high pressure fuel pumps and cam followers at cost to myself even though Audi extended the warranty due to premature failures on several audis. Apparently my VIN wasn't in the list . I tried calling aoa for any assistance but was told because I only own one(apparently brand loyalty means buying 2 at a time) and I bought it from an independent dealer there was…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Audi a8. The contact's vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16v619000 (engine and engine cooling). The recall repair was performed by fletcher jones Audi (1523 w north ave, chicago, il 60642, (312) 628-4300). Two years after the repair was performed, the vehicle experienced sporadic engine leaks that caused the engine to shut off without warning. The dealer…
Check Engine ON. Diagnosed as cam shaft timing chain failure
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Based on the 3 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 106,250 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover engine issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.