2012 Audi A8 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Engine
What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Audi A8 vehicles manufactured May 15, 2010, to May 14, 2012. The affected vehicles have a coolant valve that may leak, allowing coolant to enter the engine control module causing a loss of power or the engine to stall.
What could happen: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the coolant valve and inspect for coolant that has leaked through the electrical connector, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 19, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2012 A8.
- Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V619000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-253-2834.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Audi A8 vehicles manufactured May 15, 2010, to May 14, 2012. The affected vehicles have a coolant valve that may leak, allowing coolant to enter the engine control module causing a loss of power or the engine to stall.
Consequence: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the coolant valve and inspect for coolant that has leaked through the electrical connector, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 19, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
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.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (4), Fuel system (3), Airbags (2), Unknown Or Other (2), Steering (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
06/10/2021 · Engine
Check Engine ON. Diagnosed as cam shaft timing chain failure
06/23/2020 · Electrical system
AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON EVEN AFTER THE INITIAL STARTUP. VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND HAS NOT BEEN MOVED. CODED ERROR IS DRIVER HEAD CURTAIN IGNITER SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND. *TR
08/19/2019 · Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A8. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V619000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED BY FLETCHER JONES AUDI (1523 W NORTH AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60642, (312) 628-4300). TWO YEARS AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SPORADIC ENGINE LEAKS THAT CAUSED THE ENGINE T…
07/23/2019 · Steering
POWER STEERING PUMP MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION/ NO POWER ASSIST CUSTOMER STATES STEERING WHEEL IS STIFF NO POWER ASSIT. POWER STEERING PUMP MALFUNCTION PUMP ASSEMBLY FAILED AND POWER STEERING PUMP
06/25/2019 · Fuel system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A8. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC POWER CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER 25 MINUTES AND TOWED TO AUDI NASHVILLE (LOCATED AT 1576 MALLORY LN, BRENTWOOD, TN 37027, (…
10/29/2018 · Engine
I'VE RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE BOTH HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMPS AND CAM FOLLOWERS AT COST TO MYSELF EVEN THOUGH AUDI EXTENDED THE WARRANTY DUE TO PREMATURE FAILURES ON SEVERAL AUDIS. APPARENTLY MY VIN WASN'T IN THE LIST . I TRIED CALLING AOA FOR ANY ASSISTANCE BUT WAS TOLD BECAUSE I ONLY OWN ONE(APPARENTLY BRAND LOYALTY MEANS BUYING 2 AT A TIME) AND I BOUGHT IT…
11/05/2017 · Steering
WITHOUT NOTICE, STEERING CEASED TO FUNCTION WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED IN A RETAIL PARKING LOT.
10/29/2016 · Fuel system
I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A RECALL ITEM TO BE REPLACED AND I WAS INFORMED THAT MY FUEL RAIL WAS LEAKING GAS. THEY DIDNT SAY IT WAS URGENT SO I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP AND ON MY WAS HOME I HAS THE STRONG SMELL OF GAS. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER AUDI REPAIR HOP FOR A SECOND OPINION AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS SPRAYING FUEL AND THAT IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. HE…