1998-2025 Audi A8 Problems: 6 Issues Every Owner Should Know

1998-2025 Audi A8 Problems: 6 Issues Every Owner Should Know | Au7o

NHTSA Recalls12 recalls

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Campaign #25V90000019/12/2025

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT:VIDEO (TOUCH)SCREEN/MONITOR/UNIT

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 AUDI A8, A6 Allroad, E-TRON Quattro, 2022 S3, RSQ8, RS7, RS6 Avant, Q8, Q7, Q3, E-TRON Sportback Quattro, S5 Cabriolet, E-TRON GT, S5 Sportback, A7, A6, A5 Sportback, A5 Cabriolet, A4, A4 Allroad, A3, S8, SQ7, SQ8, S6, and S4 vehicles. The infotainment main unit may become damaged internally when the vehicle is shut off, resulting in an inoperative rearview camera display the next time the vehicle is started. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Campaign #22V80600026/10/2022

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2023 S8 and A8 vehicles. During air bag assembly, the front-passenger occupant protection flap of the air bag may not have been folded correctly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Campaign #23V08400015/02/2023

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 Audi S5 Cabriolet, A4 Allroad, Q5 Sportback, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, SQ7, TT Coupe, TT Roadster, RS5 Sportback, 2024 A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q8, RSQ8, 2023-2024 Q3, Q5, and Q7 vehicles. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the occupant detection system (ODS) control module may loosen and deactivate the front passenger air bag.

Campaign #24V25100003/04/2024

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8 and S8, 2022 Audi A5 Sportback, A4 Sedan, E-Tron GT, Q3, Q5, RS6 Avant, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RSQ8, SQ7, SQ8, and S3 Sedan vehicles. A software error may prevent the rear-view image from initially displaying when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Campaign #21V82500020/10/2021

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Audi A8 problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1998-2025 Audi A8 has 6 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: 2013-2014 A8 4.0T Turbo Coolant-Line Seepage - TSB 2036167/2 / Action 21F7, 1998-1999 A8 Takata NADI Driver-Airbag Inflator Recall 69BT (20V056/22V471), 2019-2025 A8 Air-Suspension Warning C1260F0/U112100 - TSB 2059363/6. Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Audi A8 reliable?

The 1998-2025 Audi A8 has 6 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 2 issues are rated critical: 2013-2014 A8 4.0T Turbo Coolant-Line Seepage - TSB 2036167/2 / Action 21F7 and 1998-1999 A8 Takata NADI Driver-Airbag Inflator Recall 69BT (20V056/22V471). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

What year Audi A8 is the most reliable?

Reliability varies across model years of the Audi A8. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 1998-2025 Audi A8 with 6 documented issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports.

What is the 2013-2014 Audi A8 2013-2014 A8 4.0T Turbo Coolant-Line Seepage - TSB 2036167/2 / Action 21F7?

Audi TSB 2036167/2 applies to 2013 A8 4.0T vehicles with VIN serial 000001-027858 when coolant is low and black residue or crust is found at the turbocharger coolant-pipe connections. Audi also ran service action 21F7 for certain VIN-eligible 2013-2014 A8/S8 4.0T vehicles whose t… Severity: high.

What is the 1998-1999 Audi A8 1998-1999 A8 Takata NADI Driver-Airbag Inflator Recall 69BT (20V056/22V471)?

Certain 1998-1999 Audi A8 vehicles may contain a Takata non-azide driver inflator that can absorb moisture and deploy improperly. NHTSA 20V056 originally listed the 1999 A8 branch, Audi 69BT campaign material lists 1998-1999 A8 vehicles, and NHTSA 22V471 corrects the filing to ad… Severity: high.

What is the 2019-2025 Audi A8 2019-2025 A8 Air-Suspension Warning C1260F0/U112100 - TSB 2059363/6?

On air-suspension-equipped 2019-2025 Audi A8 vehicles, the cluster may show an air-suspension malfunction warning while the suspension controller stores C1260F0 or U112100 with symptom code 262400. Audi directs diagnosis toward communication, wiring and connector contacts between… Severity: medium.

What is the 2010-2015 Audi A8 2010-2015 A8 MMI3G+ Freeze, Reset or Blank Startup - Software Check Required?

Audi TSB 2030465/12 covers 2010-2015 A8 vehicles with MMI3G+ Navigation, PR code 7T6, for software-group-dependent conditions including random freezes or resets, a blank screen after startup, a stuck splash screen, slow response and listed audio, navigation or Bluetooth complaint… Severity: medium.

What is the 2013-2015 Audi A8 2013-2015 A8 3.0 TFSI 1-3 Second Cold-Start Timing-Chain Rattle - Diagnosis Required?

Audi TSB 2039995/2 covers 2013-2015 A8 vehicles with the 3.0 TFSI engine when a rattle is heard from the rear timing-chain area for approximately one to three seconds after the first start of the day. Audi attributes the noise to an upper timing-chain tensioner and expressly stat… Severity: low.

What is the 2011-2018 Audi A8 2011-2018 A8 ACC Inoperative with C110BF0 - TSB 2033355/3?

On adaptive-cruise-equipped 2011-2018 Audi A8 vehicles, ACC may be unavailable and the distance-regulation controller may store C110BF0, adaptive cruise control sensor restricted view. Audi identifies environmental obstruction, sensor contamination, bumper or bracket influence an… Severity: low.

1998-2025 Audi A8 Problems: 6 Issues Every Owner Should Know

All 6 Known Issues

2013-2014 Audi A8: 2013-2014 A8 4.0T Turbo Coolant-Line Seepage - TSB 2036167/2 / Action 21F7#

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1998-1999 Audi A8: 1998-1999 A8 Takata NADI Driver-Airbag Inflator Recall 69BT (20V056/22V471)#

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2010-2015 Audi A8: 2010-2015 A8 MMI3G+ Freeze, Reset or Blank Startup - Software Check Required#

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2011-2018 Audi A8: 2011-2018 A8 ACC Inoperative with C110BF0 - TSB 2033355/3#

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2019-2025 Audi A8: 2019-2025 A8 Air-Suspension Warning C1260F0/U112100 - TSB 2059363/6#

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2013-2015 Audi A8: 2013-2015 A8 3.0 TFSI 1-3 Second Cold-Start Timing-Chain Rattle - Diagnosis Required#

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Other Audi Models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Audi A8 problems?

Is the Audi A8 reliable?

What year Audi A8 is the most reliable?

What is the 2013-2014 Audi A8 2013-2014 A8 4.0T Turbo Coolant-Line Seepage - TSB 2036167/2 / Action 21F7?

What is the 1998-1999 Audi A8 1998-1999 A8 Takata NADI Driver-Airbag Inflator Recall 69BT (20V056/22V471)?

What is the 2019-2025 Audi A8 2019-2025 A8 Air-Suspension Warning C1260F0/U112100 - TSB 2059363/6?

What is the 2010-2015 Audi A8 2010-2015 A8 MMI3G+ Freeze, Reset or Blank Startup - Software Check Required?

What is the 2013-2015 Audi A8 2013-2015 A8 3.0 TFSI 1-3 Second Cold-Start Timing-Chain Rattle - Diagnosis Required?

What is the 2011-2018 Audi A8 2011-2018 A8 ACC Inoperative with C110BF0 - TSB 2033355/3?