Research · Midsize Cars

2015 Audi A8Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 31 owner complaints for the 2015 Audi A8. Most complaints involve engine (17) and service brakes (4). The EPA rates it 22 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
22mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Mar 2022
Owner complaints
31
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling: turbo

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Mar 23, 2022NHTSA 22V178000

Structure: hood

Free remedy

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.

StructureReported Jul 7, 2020NHTSA 20V397000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jan 28, 2019NHTSA 19V057000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

31 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2015 – Oct 2025
  1. Engine17
  2. Service brakes4
  3. Electrical system3
  4. Wheels3
  5. Forward collision avoidance2
  6. Visibility/wiper2
  7. Power train2
  8. Seats2
  9. Vehicle speed control2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each A8 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199710
19987
199912
20038
20056
20066
20074
20088
20095
20101
201115
201211
201350
201418
201531
20210
20220
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

17 reports
“Yet another beautiful Audi 3.0tfsi with the rocker arm failure … how is there not a class action lawsuit already ? I have a knock in my valve train and I just bought this car two days ago …. Audi should be liable to fix this because I didn’t know nothing about this and with a quick search it’s alike a epidemic of the same problem..”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 5, 2025EngineODI 11634247

Service brakes

4 reports
“ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED AT HIGHWAY DRIVING SPEEDS. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TO AUDI DEALERSHIP TWICE, YET THEY FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS THAT THEY ARE RUNNING RELY ON THE COMPUTER, WHICH IS DEFECTIVE TO BEGIN WITH AND NOT RECORDING THE NECESSARY FAILURE (CODES) FOR WHEN THE BRAKES FAIL ON THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE PER AUDI DEALERSHIP (OPEN ROAD / AUDI MANHATTAN) UNTIL LEASE END.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 21, 2017Service brakesODI 11055869

Electrical system

3 reports
“So I purchased a vehicle from wright drive in El Paso, Texas. I was driving home back to Alamogordo which is 90 miles away, maybe 80 I realized there was no adaptive cruise control. So I messaged dealership. They told me that there was nothing they could do. It's not a safety issue. I got the vehicle home the next day. I found out the whole front suspension was bad. I kept hearing a noise when I would drive over bumps and it was really loud. I contacted the dealership, told them that the suspension was bad. They told me to take it to Audi to have them look at it. It came out to like $8,000 worth of repairs. They told me they would not pay that and I could return the vehicle for a full refund. I told them okay. I would be there in 3 days because I was working. They said that was fine. I get there 3 days later they told me that was no longer an option. So I got stuck with the car that needed $8,000 worth of repairs and then another four for more suspension parts. New breaks the 3,000 to fix the adaptive cruise control. I understand the adaptive cruise control is not really a big deal but the fact that they lied about me being able to return the vehicle and now…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 7, 2025Suspension, Electrical system, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11691917
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
4.0L 8-cyl turbo · 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
A8
Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
183022$3,600401
A8
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg · All-Wheel Drive
192922$3,600397
  • A8
    Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.0 L, Turbo
    18 city · 30 hwy · $3,600/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • A8
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg
    19 city · 29 hwy · $3,600/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2015 Audi A8 as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 9412
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2015 A8 questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Audi A8 have?

5 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2015 Audi A8 problems?

Owners filed 31 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (17), service brakes (4), electrical system (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Audi A8 get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Audi A8 at 22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026