2013 Audi A8LRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 47 owner complaints for the 2013 Audi A8L. Most complaints involve engine (34) and fuel/propulsion system (5). The EPA rates it 15–21 mpg combined.
Safety recalls
Owner complaints by component
- Engine34
- Fuel/propulsion system5
- Service brakes4
- Power train3
- Suspension3
- Steering2
- Electrical system2
- Visibility/wiper2
- Structure2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
What owners report most
Engine
“Driving up an inclined road at night. Car engine started to sputter and jerk and lost power. Was able to get to the side of the road out of traffic at the top of the hill? I was able to coast down the hill to a gas station. Carl would not drive without Jerking or accelerate, add check engine, light on and flashing. With the smell of burning from the engine, compartment waited two hours for a tow truck towed it home, the following day, I had to take off of work. I checked all the spark plugs to find multiple spark plugs completely soaked in oil, took an Uber to parts store to buy new spark plugs. At this point I had found out about the recall for the same problem. On the same engine. In all of audi's cars, except for the A8 line was excluded, do not know the reason why it's the same engine in multiple vehicles that were listed in the recall for the piston rings. My other Audi a 6 has over 200000 miles and does not have this issue. Get these low tension piston ring failures that have been recalled. On the issue with all of audi's in this year”
Fuel/propulsion system
“Audi, A8L 2013, also has the stuck piston. Rings end oil blow by like the other Volkswagen, defected engines of the same year yesterday while driving my car ended up stalling on a road with traffic behind me going up a hill because too much oil I'd burnt in the cylinders, causing the spark plugs to become completely coated in oil and the cars. Electronic system registered multiple misfires, multiple cylinders. Are misfired and multiple other safety epc codes, causing the vehicle to not be able to drive more than 5 miles an hour, stuttering. Which also caused the engine to almost stall, losing power steering. If this was on the highway this could have been exceptionally bad. I request the Audi AH. L and 8 series to be added to the current recall. For the A6Q5A4 A seven with the exact same problem”
Service brakes
“Brake pedal is hard when starting the vehicle. Brake pedal turns soft when engine is started. The brake pedal is so hard that it requires significant force to depress sufficiently to start the engine. This indicates loss of vacuum in brake booster when engine is off. The vehicle is equipped with a start/stop system and it seems likely that the brakes would not sufficiently hold the vehicle when the start/stop system turns off the engine.”
Engines, transmissions & drive
- EPA class
- Large Cars
- Engines
- 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged · 4.0L 8-cyl turbo · 6.3L 12-cyl
- 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.
EPA fuel economy by version
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A8 L Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg · All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 28 | 21 | $3,800 | 418 |
| A8 L Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 26 | 19 | $4,200 | 460 |
| A8 L Auto (S8), 12 cyl, 6.3 L · All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 20 | 15 | $5,300 | 585 |
- 21mpg comb.
- 19mpg comb.
- 15mpg comb.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Maintenance basics
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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
2013 A8L questions
How many recalls does the 2013 Audi A8L have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 28, 2026.
What are the most common 2013 Audi A8L problems?
Owners filed 47 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (34), fuel/propulsion system (5), service brakes (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2013 Audi A8L get?
The EPA rates the 2013 Audi A8L at 15–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).