Decode an Audi A8 VIN free with NHTSA vPIC. See its generation and the NHTSA recalls for that model year, then read what owners have reported.
VIN prefixWAU
Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.
Audi A8
About the Audi A8
Audi has sold the A8 in the US since the 1997 model year, and there have been four generations. D2 first (1997–2003), then D3 (2004–2010). The D4 arrived for 2011–2018, and the D5 took over for 2019–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 31 vehicle recall campaigns and 252 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the D4. Its 2013 and 2015 model years alone account for 80 of them, with owners bringing up engine and cooling most often and the fuel system after that. EPA rates the D2 at 18 mpg combined, while the D5, whose lineup includes hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, gets 18–23 mpg, counting the plug-in hybrid on gas alone. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.
US model years1997–2026
GenerationsD2 · D3 · D4 · D5
NHTSA recall campaigns31
Owner complaints252 at NHTSA
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations
Audi A8 generations
Four generations since the 1997 model year. The D4 (2011–2018) has the most owner complaints, the D5 (2019–2026) the most recall campaigns (13).
NHTSA has 31 campaigns on file for A8 model years 1997–2026, and the 2021 shows up in more of them than any other year (10), ahead of the 2013 (6). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.
2021
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recallCanada only
Pick a row
What to ask
Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.
Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.
Owner reports · NHTSA complaints
What Audi A8 owners report
Owner summaries + NHTSA data
Between them, the 2013 and 2015 hold 80 of the 252 complaints, or 32%. Tap any bar or generation.
252NHTSA complaints, 1997–2026
9mention a crash
6mention a fire
2injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearD5: 23 complaints · most for the 2019 (14)
Its first model year, the 2019, drew more complaints than any other (14 of 23). Owners across the generation name electrical system most often (12 mentions), then engine and cooling (6).
Top complaint areas · D4
Mentions in 143 complaints, 2011–2018.
Engine and cooling87
Fuel system15
Electrical system11
Brakes11
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)9
Steering8
Crashes 2Fires 0Injuries 1
2011–2018 (D4)
NHTSA data summary
Engine and cooling owns this generation. Its 87 mentions are more than twice the next area, fuel system (15). Complaints peak with the 2013 (49 of 143). Of all A8 complaints, 57% are for the D4.
Top complaint areas · D3
Mentions in 50 complaints, 2004–2010.
Speed control / acceleration13
Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors)9
Electrical system8
Brakes5
Latches, locks and linkages4
Engine and cooling4
Crashes 3Fires 3Injuries 0
2004–2010 (D3)
NHTSA data summary
The 2004 stands out. On its own it has 20 of the D3’s 50 complaints (40%), and owners across the generation name speed control / acceleration most often (13 mentions), then visibility (9). Fires come up in 3 D3 complaints, or 6.0% against 2.4% for all A8 model years, which is the highest rate of any generation.
Top complaint areas · D2
Mentions in 36 complaints, 1997–2003.
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)9
Speed control / acceleration4
Electrical system4
Air bags4
Fuel system4
Structure and body3
Crashes 3Fires 2Injuries 1
1997–2003 (D2)
NHTSA data summary
No other generation’s complaints mention crashes as often as the D2’s, at 3 of 36 (8.3%, against 3.6% across all A8 model years). Complaints peak with the 1997, its first model year, at 10 of 36. Owners across the generation name powertrain most often (9 mentions), then speed control / acceleration (4).
What A8 owners report across recent generations
Owner summary
2011–2018 (3rd generation, D4)
Complaint counts are low for the A8, so the data is thin. The 2013 draws the most NHTSA complaints, and the most common one is turbocharger failure on the V8, with some owners also reporting stalling. CarComplaints lists twin turbo failure blamed on a clogged oil screen and loss of power for 2013, turbo failures for 2014, and oil consumption for 2015. Recalls cover a turbo oil strainer that may clog, a coolant valve that may leak onto the engine computer and stall the engine, and sunroof glass that may shatter. [1][2][3][4]
✓
What to check before buying
Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the turbo oil strainer, coolant valve and sunroof glass recalls.
Ask for turbocharger and oil consumption repair records.
Look for coolant near the engine computer.
On the drive, accelerate firmly and feel for loss of power, and watch for blue smoke, stalling or warning lights.
EPA lists 75 A8 versions for model years 1997–2026 (gas, diesel, hybrid and plug-in hybrid). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 213 g/mi, for the 2021 plug-in hybrid. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.
D21997–2003
18 mpg · CO₂ 494 g/mi
D32004–2010
15–18 mpg · CO₂ 494–592 g/mi
D42011–2018
15–28 mpg · CO₂ 360–585 g/mi
D52019–2026
18–23 mpg · plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone · 53–54 MPGe plug-in hybrid · CO₂ 213–495 g/mi
2025
22combined MPG
414CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$3,750EPA yearly fuel cost
4/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
5/10Greenhouse gas rating
California LEV-III ULEV70 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 70Emission standard
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
GasDieselHybridPlug-in hybrid
Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Plug-in hybrids: mpg is on gas alone; MPGe combines gas and electricity. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
Compare rivals
A8 vs Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs BMW 7 Series
NHTSA + EPA data
Take 2011–2018. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the A8, against 30 for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and 13 for the BMW 7 Series. Pick a range to compare.
Audi A8D3
Model years 2004–2010
NHTSA recall campaigns
5
NHTSA owner complaints
50
EPA combined mpg
15–18
Engines (EPA)
8-cyl 4.2 L · 12-cyl 6.0 L
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Speed control / acceleration 13
Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) 9
Electrical system 8
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Model years 2004–2010
NHTSA recall campaigns
7
NHTSA owner complaints
236
EPA combined mpg
13–21
Engines (EPA)
6-cyl 3.5, 3.7 L · 8-cyl 4.3–6.3 L · 12-cyl 5.5, 6.0 L
Also listed
supercharged, turbo, hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Electrical system 71
Suspension 40
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 40
BMW 7 Series
Model years 2004–2010
NHTSA recall campaigns
12
NHTSA owner complaints
752
EPA combined mpg
15–19
Engines (EPA)
8-cyl 4.4, 4.8 L · 12-cyl 6.0 L
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 217
Air bags 142
Engine and cooling 133
Audi A8D4
Model years 2011–2018
NHTSA recall campaigns
7
NHTSA owner complaints
143
EPA combined mpg
15–28
Engines (EPA)
6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 4.0, 4.2 L · 12-cyl 6.3 L
Also listed
supercharged, turbo, diesel
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Engine and cooling 87
Fuel system 15
Electrical system 11
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Model years 2011–2018
NHTSA recall campaigns
30
NHTSA owner complaints
193
EPA combined mpg
14–26
Engines (EPA)
6-cyl 3.0, 3.5 L · 8-cyl 4.0, 4.7, 5.5 L · 12-cyl 5.5, 6.0 L
Also listed
turbo, hybrid, plug-in hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD, RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Engine and cooling 23
Fuel system 19
Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) 19
BMW 7 Series
Model years 2011–2018
NHTSA recall campaigns
13
NHTSA owner complaints
209
EPA combined mpg
15–27
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 4.4 L · 12-cyl 6.0, 6.6 L
Also listed
turbo, hybrid, diesel, plug-in hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Engine and cooling 83
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 47
Electrical system 34
Audi A8D5
Model years 2019–2026
NHTSA recall campaigns
13
NHTSA owner complaints
23
EPA combined mpg
18–23
Engines (EPA)
6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 4.0 L
Also listed
turbo, mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Electrical system 12
Engine and cooling 6
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 4
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Model years 2019–2026
NHTSA recall campaigns
41
NHTSA owner complaints
122
EPA combined mpg
14–24
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 3.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 4.0 L · 12-cyl 6.0 L
Also listed
turbo, plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid, supercharged
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD, RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Forward collision avoidance 31
Electrical system 27
Engine and cooling 21
BMW 7 Series
Model years 2019–2026
NHTSA recall campaigns
30
NHTSA owner complaints
52
EPA combined mpg
16–28
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 4.4 L · 12-cyl 6.6 L
Also listed
turbo, plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Brakes 20
Electrical system 10
Electronic stability control 10
NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.
Audi A8 VIN number location
Where to find the VIN on an A8
Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.
The A8's VIN appears on a plate at the lower driver's side windshield, in the engine bay, on the door jamb sticker, inside the trunk lid, and in the spare tire well. Five cross-reference points reflect the A8's status as Audi's flagship. Unlike most production Audis, some A8 generations feature an additional hand-stamped chassis number on the floor pan, visible only with the carpet removed. The D5 generation starts with the 2019 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (K for 2019) shows which side of that line a car falls on.
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ
Common Audi A8 VIN questions
Which Audi A8 model years have the most owner complaints?
The 2013 leads with 49, ahead of the 2015 (31) and 2004 (20). Those first two alone make up 32% of the 252 A8 complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.
How many recalls has the Audi A8 had?
NHTSA’s recall records show 31 vehicle campaigns for model years 1997–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, D5 leads with 13. Then come the D2 (7), D4 (7) and D3 (5), and a campaign can span two generations.
Which Audi A8 recalls are high risk?
22V-471 and 20V-056 cover air bag inflator modules and how they deploy. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 18V-430, 19V-057, 20V-397, 19V-035 and 23V-842. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.
Which A8 generation am I looking at?
By US model year, the D2 is 1997–2003 and the D3 2004–2010. D4 spans 2011–2018, D5 2019–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (K is 2019).
What fuel economy does the Audi A8 get?
It varies. EPA rates the 2019–2026 D5 at 18–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, with the plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone (53–54 MPGe on gas and electricity), up from 18 mpg for the 1997–2003 D2 (fueleconomy.gov).
How does the Audi A8 compare with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series on recalls?
For 2019–2026 models the A8 has 13 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has 41, the BMW 7 Series 30. Complaints run 23, 122 and 52 in that order, with no sales adjustment.
