Research · Large Cars

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.

Combined MPG
15–21mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
47
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2013 Audi A8L as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

47 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2013 – Jun 2025
  1. Engine34
  2. Fuel/propulsion system5
  3. Service brakes4
  4. Power train3
  5. Suspension3
  6. Steering2
  7. Electrical system2
  8. Visibility/wiper2
  9. Structure2

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 A8L model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200420
201347
201418
201530
20203
20215
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
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

34 reports
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 18, 2025EngineODI 11667840

Fuel/propulsion system

5 reports
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 22, 2024Steering, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11610338

Service brakes

4 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 28, 2024Service brakesODI 11590954
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
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.

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 L
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg · All-Wheel Drive
182821$3,800418
A8 L
Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
162619$4,200460
A8 L
Auto (S8), 12 cyl, 6.3 L · All-Wheel Drive
132015$5,300585
  • A8 L
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg
    18 city · 28 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • A8 L
    Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.0 L, Turbo
    16 city · 26 hwy · $4,200/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • A8 L
    Auto (S8), 12 cyl, 6.3 L
    13 city · 20 hwy · $5,300/yr
    15
    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 2013 Audi A8L as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 7646
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

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).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026