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moderate Owners of the 2013 Audi A8 have filed 29 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 63,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 A8 | 6 |
| 2012 A8 | 3 |
| 2013 A8 (this page) | 29 |
| 2014 A8 | 11 |
| 2015 A8 | 15 |
Of the 29 engine complaints filed for the 2013 Audi A8, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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 carries the most owner complaints on file — 29.
Engine accounts for 59% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 3 categories tracked.
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.
The 2013 Audi A8 4.0T engine exhibits a dominant failure mode: simultaneous turbocharger bearing failure due to oil starvation. Owners report the vehicle suddenly loses power mid-highway or at traffic lights, engine stalls without warning, and will not restart—or restarts only with heavy throttle. Audi's own technical bulletin confirms the root cause: the oil strainer mesh is too fine and clogs, cutting off oil flow to the turbo bearings. The turbos then seize and disintegrate.
Failures occur across 38,000 to 120,000 miles, clustering around 50,000–85,000 miles. The stall happens with no dashboard warning until the Check Engine or EPC light illuminates after shutdown. Several owners report losing steering assist and brake boost simultaneously, creating dangerous situations in traffic. A few stalled in active interstate lanes or busy intersections.
Repair costs run $10,000–$13,800 at dealers; both turbos must be replaced. Audi issued recall 21H7 (NHTSA 22V178) in 2022 to replace the faulty strainer, but owners report parts shortages and cancelled appointments through 2022. Warranty does not cover turbo failure despite the known design defect. Secondary issues include PCV oil separator clogging, excessive oil consumption, and piston ring leakage—the latter allegedly recalled on other Audi models but not the A8. One owner reported an ECM failure and subsequent cylinder defect requiring extended dealer time.
Same Audi A8 engine reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015
Both turbochargers fail simultaneously, usually without warning. Root cause is an oil screen or strainer with mesh too fine, which clogs and prevents oil from reaching the turbocharger shaft bearings. Bearings destroy themselves, turbo impellers disintegrate, and turbochargers seize. Audi issued TSB addressing the design flaw in the oil screen/strainer.
When: Reported from 38,542 miles to 120,000 miles; most failures occur between 50,000–85,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rough idle at startup; Check Engine light and EPC light illumination; Sudden loss of engine power while driving; Engine stall without warning, often mid-intersection or highway; Engine will not restart, or restarts only with heavy throttle input; Steering lock-up and loss of brake boost (power-assist failure) during stall; Rattling or clunking noise from engine before failure
Codes mentioned: Check Engine light, EPC light, P2753 (transmission fault, coolant-related)
Repairs/costs cited: Both turbochargers must be replaced. Repair costs range from $10,000 to $13,800 in dealer estimates; owners report paying $10,975.57 to $12,070.85 including labor and service. Independent shops quote similar amounts. Some owners mention retaining failed turbocharger parts as evidence.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Audi issued TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) documenting the oil screen/strainer design defect. NHTSA Recall 21H7 (Campaign 22V178) issued in March–May 2022 for oil strainer replacement; however, dealers report parts unavailable or repair appointment cancellations. Audi USA stated parts were available as of August (2022) in some communications, but distribution remains inconsistent. No warranty coverage for turbochanger failure; consumers advised failure is not covered under standard warranty despite TSB acknowledgment. Audi declined reimbursement requests and offered no customer assistance programs.
The crankcase ventilation (PCV) system oil separator clogs or fails, leading to oil starvation upstream in the turbo lubrication circuit. Whistling sound reported. This failure is related to or compounds the main turbo bearing failure pattern.
When: Timing varies; some owners report PCV failure before turbo failure occurs; one owner at unknown mileage, one at 82,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Whistling sound from engine bay; Rough idle; Oil consumption excessive (1 quart per week reported in one case); Oil in spark plug wells
Repairs/costs cited: Oil separator replacement cost cited as $254 for part alone (Part Number 079-103-542-E); labor costs not specified separately. One owner spent $3,500 on crankcase ventilation valve replacement, which initially misdiagnosed the problem.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Audi TSB (2044640, 2040644/10) addresses oil separator issue. Some owners indicate this repair was previously recommended but not mandatory under warranty.
Low-tension piston rings allow excessive oil blow-by and consumption. One narrative indicates this issue has been recalled on other Audi models (A6) with the same 4.0T engine, but the A8 was allegedly excluded from the recall. Owners report the A8 uses the same engine as S6, S7, RS7, and S8 models.
When: Reported in one complaint; no specific mileage provided; one owner mentions their A6 with 200,000 miles does not have the problem
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple spark plugs soaked in oil; Excessive oil consumption; Check Engine light
Repairs/costs cited: No specific repair costs cited for piston ring work. One owner expressed concern about potential engine seizure on highway if not addressed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Audi issued a recall for piston ring failure affecting other models (A6 listed) but apparently did not extend it to A8 for unclear reasons. Warranty coverage for A8 piston ring issues not addressed in narratives.
Electronic Control Module failed, requiring replacement. Vehicle stalled at highway speeds with warning lights. This represents a separate electrical/control failure, distinct from the turbo and PCV issues.
When: At approximately 120,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Warning lights flashed on instrument panel; Engine shut off at highway speed; Failure persisted even after ECM replacement; subsequently defective cylinder diagnosed
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle remained in dealer possession for approximately one month awaiting repair; defective cylinder required additional replacement. Total repair outcome not detailed in narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance.
Coolant leaks into transmission control valve wiring and connectors, causing corrosion and transmission fault code P2753. Vehicle not producing hot air from climate control.
When: No mileage provided
Symptoms owners cite: No hot air from heater/climate control; Transmission fault code P2753; Coolant leak visible
Codes mentioned: P2753
Repairs/costs cited: Repair required coolant system and electrical connector remediation; no cost provided.
Synthesized from 29 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
The contact owns a 2013 Audi A8. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V178000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the contact had scheduled three separate appointments with a dealer and was cancelled after each scheduled appointment. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made…
Car is not blowing hot air. I have a transmission fault code related to this which is P2753. Coolant is leaking and has run through the control valve to the wiring and connector causing corrosion.
Driving at speed limit on us highway in heavy traffic in the near northern suburbs of chicago, experienced sudden loss of power. Vehicle began running very rough and eventually stalled in left lane. Sudden lack of power, stall and unanticipated loss of speed nearly caused accident and did cause major traffic back up. Vehicle was towed to local shop. Diagnosis determined cause of sudden power…
The contact owns a 2013 Audi A8. The contact stated that while her son was driving at highway speeds, the warning lights on the instrument panel flashed as the vehicle shut off. The contact's son managed to pull over despite the failure. The vehicle was initially towed to one dealer; however, the dealer failed to service the vehicle promptly. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where it was…
FAILURE BOTH TURBOS Purchased Audi Naples Jan 2018 Maintained at Audi Ft Myers Audi While on a vacation from our home in Florida to New England our Audi A8 experienced a major turbo failure while on an Interstate highway. On 8/6/21 I was traveling in the middle lane of I495 at 65 mph, when traffic slowed, the car stalled. With cars passing me on both sides I eventually managed to get the car…
In March of 2022, a safety recall number 21H7, was issued for my 2013 Audi A8L regarding the oil strainer which could clog and result in the turbocharger failing and subsequent consequences. I have contacted my Audi dealer numerous times since first receiving written notification with the most recent contact being today October 31. The dealer says they still don’t have the necessary parts and…
The pcv oil separator has failed and is making a whistling sound. From researching this issue it is widely known and an investigation shows it is caused in relation to a recall for the oil strainer that was done on this vehicle. I called audi dealership and they said this is not an open recall, however it seems this is exactly what caused it.
I was trailing my wife and children home one evening when the car began to stall on her at an intersection. I signaled for her to pull into a nearby gas station so I could take a closer look at the car. As the idling got rougher, it finally stalled out completely and would not restart. We had it towed to a local dealer, where they incorrectly diagnosed the car and said it needed a crankcase…
Manufacturer Recall Number21H7 NHTSA Recall Number22V178 This recall was issued in May 2022. I emailed Audi USA, who advised me that they do not have a repair they can implement to address this recall. This is surprising because, according to an Audi enthusiast website, repairs under this recall are being made in the United Kingdom. See pdf attached. Why is Audi telling me they cannot…
While driving on I-20 in texas the epc light came on, engine power decreased noticeably. Limped off I-20 to an exit. When I stopped at the stoplight at end of ramp, engine quit. I tried several times to restart. Nothing but sputtering. Fortunately, I found that slight pressure on the accelerator while cranking would start engine. Engine would not run below 1000 RPM. Very dangerous having…
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 29 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 62,000 and 67,060 miles, with the median around 63,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 62,000; a quarter make it past 67,060. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.