This bulletin provides informaiton when the engine is not running smoothly, misfiring.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Audi A8 engine problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 11 engine complaints filed for the 2014 Audi A8, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
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.
What stands out
Among the 5 model years of Audi A8 in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
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 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 failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2014 Audi A8 models equipped with the V8 4.0T engine report sudden, unannounced turbocharger failure typically between 48,000 and 81,000 miles. The vehicle stalls on the highway without warning—sometimes while passing other cars or exiting—and will not restart. In several cases, owners describe the engine surging erratically, gurgling, and shaking before stalling. The EPC light may illuminate, but many report no check-engine codes initially.
Dealers blame the failures on turbo oil starvation caused by a clogged oil strainer, a small $20 part that Audi has since redesigned. Metal debris from the damaged turbochargers contaminates the fuel system. Turbo replacement runs $9,000 to $12,000; when metal particles damage downstream components like fuel pumps and injectors, total repairs exceed $15,000. One owner's warranty had just expired when failure occurred.
Owners cite Audi Technical Service Bulletins from February 2017 and later addressing the turbo and oil supply issues, along with a May 2017 bulletin on turbo coolant leakage. Despite evidence of the problem across multiple bulletins and owner forums, Audi has not issued a recall or proactively contacted owners to replace the strainer before failure. The sudden nature of these failures—often on highways—creates real safety risks, including traffic accidents and immobilization in dangerous locations.
Same Audi A8 engine reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Turbocharger failure / oil starvation
Both turbochargers fail prematurely due to oil starvation caused by a clogged or restricted oil strainer. Owners report the failure occurs without warning, typically between 48,000 and 81,000 miles. The turbocharger impeller shaft and fins suffer damage, and metal debris contaminates the engine. The root cause is a small oil strainer that becomes clogged and starves the turbos of lubrication; Audi revised the strainer design but did not issue a proactive recall or owner notification.
When: 48,000 to 81,000 miles; typically after highway driving or during acceleration
Symptoms owners cite: Engine surges, misfires, and runs erratically without warning; Gurgling sound from engine; EPC light comes on; Engine stalls and will not restart or cranks without starting; Rough idle and shaking when engine does run; Loss of engine power while driving; Metal shavings found in fuel system
Codes mentioned: EPC light
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of both turbochargers costs $9,000 to $12,000. In one case, fuel pump, fuel injectors, fuel line, and fuel rail also required replacement due to metal debris contamination, totaling over $15,000. The faulty oil strainer part itself costs approximately $20.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Audi Technical Service Bulletins exist addressing the turbo issue: TSB February 2, 2017 (Group 21 number 17-24); TSB November 21, 2017 (Group 21 Engine 21 17 27 2044640/2); TSB May 2017 concerning turbo coolant leakage; and TSB May 2018 for oil supply line production solution. Audi revised the oil strainer design but did not issue a recall or proactive notification to owners. Audi has refused warranty coverage on out-of-warranty vehicles.
Turbo coolant leak
Coolant leaks from the turbocharger assembly, beginning around 48,000 miles. Owners report this can escalate to turbocharger failure.
When: Around 48,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant leakage from turbocharger; Check engine light illumination; Reduced engine power
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Audi Technical Service Bulletin May 2017 addresses turbo coolant leakage issue.
PCV valve leak
PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) valve leaks, occurring alongside turbo issues around 48,000 miles.
When: Around 48,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: PCV valve leak; Check engine light
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 11 most recent
I was driving my car and had just crossed a track, when out of no where with no warning my car stopped. My wheel started tightening and I couldn't press on the brakes. Thanks goodness I didnt have a car behind me because the car just lost all power. I couldn't even steer the car to the side of the road. Try to restart the vehicle because I was dumb minded to what was going on, but the car would…
My Audi Certified Preowned A8L, 4.0 TFSI suffered a complete turbocharger failure without any notice. The car went into service 9/30/2013. I purchased the car from the same dealer that originally sold the car in Stratham, New Hampshire on 12/26/2016. I purchased an extended warranty from the dealership for 8 years, 100,000 miles. Thus, the extended warranty expired on 9/30/2021. Car has…
I was driving along on the highway, at normal speeds. When my engine started surging, causing me to speed up and slow down rapidly. Putting the safety of others behind and in front of me in danger. No check engine or any light of that nature turned on. then after another mile or so my engine sputtered then just died. I had to pull to the left side of the road since there way a semi truck to my…
Car went dead on the hwy without any warning. Dealer has the vehicle for a month now and says there is metal shavings in fuel and need more than 15000/- in repairs to replace fuel pump, 6 fuel injectors fuel line and fuel rail. Metal shavings come from fuel pump Failure there should be micro filters in line to stop them from entering the fuel line and injector with sudden death.
For technician report, go to: https://getpe.co/4ZT0j2 While driving on a major central NJ highway, slowing to exit, the vehicle shuddered and stalled in lane. The engine EPC light came on and a message to put the car in park to start the engine followed. This made it impossible to move the car off the road. It was necessary to stand behind the vehicle and wave traffic around. A passerby was able…
Driving on extended highway - a few hours - and complete engine failure at an exit. Unsafe as the engine died in the middle of the road. Took multiple attempts to move the vehicle. Blocked traffic and had to have police assist with the physical pushing of the vehicle to a safe place. Already expended $700 plus on towing to an Audi dealer. Turbo failure which I have now learned is very…
While driving and getting off a highway exit the vehicle without notice started to stall as if misfiring and running erratic without no engine trouble codes or warning lights at a red light stop. I managed to get home about half mile and once parked couldn't turn the vehicle on. It only cranked and when it did turn on it would shake idle erratic and then turn off. Towed it to the dealer few days…
The car engine stalled while driving on the highway, the vehicle wouldn't restart. Had to call tow truck to take it to the dealership. Both turbos had mechanical malfunction and had to be replaced. *tr
The oil strainer needs to be replaced in my car. This is a known issue with Audi and there are many recalls on Audis, with the exception of mine. I read that this can lead to the engine stopping and causing an accident and it can ruin the engine. This has been problem has been reported to me by an independent service center.
The 4.0t engine starts to have turbo coolant leak and pcv valve leak at around 48000 miles. The coolant leak could cause turbo failure and the check engine light is on. Cannot have full power.
Had engine trouble with your 2014 Audi A8?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2014 Audi A8?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 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?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 58,559 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.
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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Audi/A8.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.