NHTSA vehicle safety data

2016 Audi A8 Recalls & Complaints

The 2016 Audi A8 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 10 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Audi dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2016 Audi A8. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2016 Audi A8 owner complaints

Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Audi A8, describing incidents dated June 24, 2016 to December 8, 2022.

Most-cited components

Engine 6 complaints
Unknown or Other 2 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Power Train 1 complaint
Structure 1 complaint
Suspension 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11497032 · Filed December 12, 2022
My car was schedule for the 21H7 recall. I received 2 letters this year to have the recall work done. Audi of Pittsburgh's only available date was 12/08/22. I took the car in and later that day I got a call stating the recall was done back in March of this year. I told them it was not. Later I got a…
ODI #11480781 · Filed August 23, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Audi A8. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated. Additionally, after starting the vehicle in the morning, the vehicle was shaking until the engine warmed up. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the…
ODI #11463254 · Filed May 3, 2022
Recall for turbo internals, but nothing done to remedy problem . Second issue in leaking suspension parts, which the dealership let problem continue, until warranty up.

Read all 10 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2016 Audi A8 in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA22-001: Engine Stall - Turbo Failure
Closed May 26, 2023
Preliminary Evaluation PE21-009: Engine Stall - Turbo Failure
Closed May 27, 2022
- Recall 22V-178

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Blocked Turbocharger Oil Strainer

NHTSA #22V178000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine — Gasoline — Turbo/Supercharger · NHTSA notice

Reported March 23, 2022 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 26,093 vehicles

Repair completion: 85.05% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 21H7 · Owners notified August 4, 2022 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2013-2017 A8, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, and 2014-2017 RS7 vehicles. The turbocharger oil supply strainer can become blocked, causing wear to the bearings due to lack of lubrication.

Safety consequence

Worn bearings can cause the turbine wheel to contact the turbocharger housing or cause the shaft to break, causing an engine stall and increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the oil strainer and perform an oil change, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 21H7.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Engine Compartment Seal May Detach

NHTSA #20V397000 · Structure — Body — Hood · NHTSA notice

Reported July 7, 2020 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 12,964 vehicles

Repair completion: 88.95% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 51G6 · Owners notified September 4, 2020

Defect description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Audi S8 and A8 vehicles. The seal around the engine compartment may come loose and contact hot engine components.

Safety consequence

If the seal contacts hot engine components, there could be an increased risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install a retaining plate to prevent the engine compartment seal from loosening. The recall began September 4, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 51G6.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Fuel Supply Line May Become Porous and Leak Fuel

NHTSA #19V057000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported January 28, 2019 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 8,985 vehicles

Repair completion: 84.73% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 20BM · Owners notified February 21, 2019 · Vehicles built March 18, 2014 – September 4, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A8 and S8 vehicles. The fuel supply line for the high pressure fuel pump may become porous and leak fuel.

Safety consequence

Leaking fuel, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Audi has notified owners, and dealers will install a fuel pressure damper, free of charge. The recall began February 21, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20BM.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Improperly Welded Fuel Rails May Leak Fuel

NHTSA #19V035000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Fuel Injection System — Fuel Rail · NHTSA notice

Reported January 16, 2019 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 74,881 vehicles

Repair completion: 91.81% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 24DP · Owners notified February 28, 2019 · Vehicles built March 12, 2014 – June 18, 2017 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Q7, A6 and A7 vehicles, and 2015-2018 Audi A8 vehicles. The left and right fuel rails may leak fuel.

Safety consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the left and right fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 24DP.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2016 Audi A8. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

10 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Audi A8.

Engine

ODI #11497032

Incident: December 8, 2022 · Filed: December 12, 2022

My car was schedule for the 21H7 recall. I received 2 letters this year to have the recall work done. Audi of Pittsburgh's only available date was 12/08/22. I took the car in and later that day I got a call stating the recall was done back in March of this year. I told them it was not. Later I got a call saying it was done in April of 2019. I asked for the repair order and no one will provide it. To me it seems that Audi is looking for a reason not to perform the work.

Engine and Engine Cooling; Fuel System, Gasoline; Structure

ODI #11480781

Incident: June 4, 2022 · Filed: August 23, 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A8. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated. Additionally, after starting the vehicle in the morning, the vehicle was shaking until the engine warmed up. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V178000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), 20V397000 (Structure), and 19V057000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.

Suspension; Engine

ODI #11463254

Incident: March 21, 2021 · Filed: May 3, 2022

Recall for turbo internals, but nothing done to remedy problem . Second issue in leaking suspension parts, which the dealership let problem continue, until warranty up.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11454753

Incident: March 18, 2021 · Filed: March 1, 2022

Turbos failed which caused the car to shut down in heavy traffic on an interstate.

Engine

ODI #11422431

Incident: June 25, 2021 · Filed: June 26, 2021

I was driving and my turbos blew causing my car to shut down and not be able to restart. I was in the middle of traffic and was lucky to pull over. There was no warning and I had my 2 young kids in the car and it could have caused an accident. This was dangerous for myself and other motorists. I use this vehicle as a daily driver and this should not happen. I have not had it repaired yet but I can only imagine it will costs thousands of dollars.

Engine

ODI #11406251

Incident: January 1, 2019 · Filed: April 3, 2021

CAR STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN DRIVING ON CITY STREETS OR HIGHWAY. CAUSE DUE TO TURBO ISSUES

Engine

ODI #11388662

Incident: December 28, 2020 · Filed: January 18, 2021

WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR 2 HOURS, SLOWED DOWN TO EXIT TO A GAS STATION, ONCE ON THE ROUTE CAR SHUT DOWN, ALL SYSTEMS INOPERATIVE STEERING AND BRAKES SOON HARDEN COULD SECURELY STOP AT GAS STATION WITH IMPULSE. CAR COULD NOT BE TURNED ON AGAIN EASILY, AND IN MY DRIVE TO THE CLOSEST HOTEL (2 MNILES) CAR WILL SHUT DOWN IF NOT CONSTANTLY ACCELERATED. DEALER TOLD ME TWO TURBOS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CAR HAD 45K MILES, LESS THAN ONE MONTH OFF CPO WARRANTY (I.E., PERFECTLY MAINTAINED).

Unknown or Other

ODI #11342620

Incident: November 14, 2019 · Filed: July 31, 2020

AS A RESIDENT OF OKLAHOMA I PURCHASED A 2016 AUDI A8 FROM VROOM IN NOVEMBER 2019. I PAID THEM 30,000 CASH DOWN TO INCLUDE $4025 IN SALES TAX $73.75 DEALER INVENTORY TAX $105.50 GOV LICENSE AND REGISTRATION FEES $11.00 CERT OF TITLE FEE $25.00 VEHICLE INSPECTION FEE $150.00 SOME RANDOM DOCUMENT FEE RELATED TO REGISTRATION ALL OF WHICH VROOM HAS REFUSED TO COMPLY WITH!!! IT'S GOING ON NINE MONTHS AND I HAVE NOT HAD ANY TYPE OF REGISTRATION, LICENSE PLATE, TEMPORARY PLATE SINCE JANUARY 2020 THAT'S VALID ON THE CAR THAT I PURCHASED FROM THIS SHADY COMPANY! I SIGNED ALL THE CONTRACTS, SENT THEN THE VIN VERIFICATION FORM AND STILL NOTHING. NOT EVEN ADDITIONAL TEMPORARY PLATES UNTIL THEY GET THEIR CRAP TOGETHER!! I'VE CALLED THEM, EMAILED THEM AND ONCE THEY RECEIVED MY PAYMENT IT'S LIKE I DIDN'T EXIST. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND THIS COMPANY NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. I'VE BEEN TO MY OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO SEE IF THEY COULD HELP ME FILE A COMPLAINT OR DO SOMETHING GIVE ME A LICENSE PLATE SINCE I'VE ALREADY PAID FOR TAX, TITLE & REG BUT BECAUSE THE COMPANY IS LOCATED IN TEXAS THEY CLAIM THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO. IF I HAD A DRIVABLE CAR I MIGHT BE ABLE TO DRIVE DOWN TO A TEXAS DMV BUT BECAUSE OF VROOMS POOR BUSINESS PRACTICES, THEFT AND FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THEIR OWN CONTRACTS I'VE BEEN PAYING ON A CAR THAT IS USELESS TO ME. PLEASE HELP ME FORCE THIS COMPANY TO SEND ME MY PLATES AND PROSECUTE TO THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW. ''- VIN [XXX] COMPANY FAILING TO COMPLY WITH CONTRACT & STEALING CONSUMER MONEY: VROOM 12053 SW FRWY STAFFORD TX 77477 REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Tires

ODI #11182840

Incident: February 23, 2019 · Filed: February 27, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 AUDI A8 EQUIPPED WITH FOUR CONTINENTAL SPORT CONTACT 5P TIRES, SIZE: 275/35R21 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT STRUCK A POTHOLE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE FLATTENED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM FAILED TO ALERT THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE DOT NUMBER AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,500.

Power Train

ODI #10876382

Incident: June 24, 2016 · Filed: June 24, 2016

I DON'T HAVE A COMPLAINT, PER SE, I AM ALERTING YOU TO THE FACT THAT THE AUDI A8 HAS THE SAME SHIFTER AS THE JEEP CHEROKEE THAT HAS BEEN IN THE NEWS LATELY. SAME SUPPLIER, ZF.

Other Audi A8 model years

Check your 2016 Audi A8 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Audi A8 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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