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2017 Audi A8

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
Latest Jun 17, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Mar 23, 2022
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2017 Audi A8, most frequently naming the brakes, driver assistance and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 660 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes220.0%
  • Driver assistance220.0%
  • Engine220.0%
  • Fuel system110.0%
  • Powertrain (other)110.0%
  • Steering110.0%
  • Tires & wheels110.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
22V178000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

Mar 23, 2022
26,093 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: Worn bearings can cause the turbine wheel to contact the turbocharger housing or cause the shaft to break, causing an engine stall and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the oil strainer and perform an oil change, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 21H7.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 21H7View on NHTSA.gov
20V397000

STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD

Jul 7, 2020
12,964 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: If the seal contacts hot engine components, there could be an increased risk of a fire.
The remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install a retaining plate to prevent the engine compartment seal from loosening. The recall began September 4, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 51G6.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 51G6View on NHTSA.gov
19V035000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

Jan 16, 2019
74,881 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Q7, A6 and A7 vehicles, and 2015-2018 Audi A8 vehicles. The left and right fuel rails may leak fuel.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.
The remedy: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the left and right fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 24DP.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 24DPView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Jun 17, 2026

Audi number AWA-19-03 covers the crankcase ventilation valve extended warranty for 2013-2016 audi models less than 10 years old and with less than 120,000 miles. My vehicle meets the year and mileage requirements, but is a 2017 model with the same problem as the 2013-2016 models. I paid to have the dealer perform the repairs because they said there was no extended warranty. Audi USA also said they can not find the extended warranty. I would like Audi to cover the cost of this repair. Even thought it is a year newer, it it the same problem experienced on the earlier models. Audi did not correct the problem.

NHTSA ID
11744789
Incident
Jun 3, 2026
Steering
Filed Dec 16, 2025

My cars rack and pinion went out with the mileage just over 100,000 miles and I was told that this is a problematic something to do with the inappropriate silicone. Spending $85,000 on a car you would think that this is not something you would have to experience. The car was making a little bit of noise, turning left or right couple days later than it completely went out on me and had to drive the car like I was driving a vehicle with no power steering.

NHTSA ID
11705436
Incident
Dec 8, 2025
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed May 20, 2024

The contact owns a 2017 Audi A8. The contact stated that while using the cruise control, the warnings ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) and Brake Guard disabled was display on the instrument panel. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the camera had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated the dealer originally agreed to repair the vehicle; however, the dealer had since denied providing the repair free of charge. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,000.

NHTSA ID
11589589
Incident
May 5, 2024
Mileage
51,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed May 18, 2024

Bought a 2017 audi A8l with 51700 miles, from Mike erdman Nissan in coco beach florida, it had front grill damage and when you try to use the cruise control message comes on dash ACC and brake guard disabled, i told dealership they first said theyd fix it but i had to talk to the lender first then theyd fix i talked to the lender now they are refusing to fix it, i never signed anything saying no warranty, nothing was never said about warranty, but was told but eric the salesman that he was going yo have it fixed

NHTSA ID
11589469
Incident
May 4, 2024
Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 5, 2024

My wife and I were traveling [XXX] west on Atchafalaya Basin from New Orleans to Lafayette, a light came on saying inferior tire check air [pressure. Next thing we were on a flat tire on side of busy unsafe area of the interstate. Call 911 to request police for safety with traffic while changing the tire. Officer assist with removal of tire, and said he's never seen a tire with that kind of damage. Inside wall of the tire was completely gone. I purchased a new tire $312. I'm concerned about it happening with the other tires. My wife doesn't feel safe riding in her car since. I read some of the other concerns from people who had similar problems with Pirelli tires. I would appreciate it if someone could research these tires and reimburse me It was a scary situation because of the location. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter! Looking forward to hearing back from you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11563797
Incident
Dec 31, 2023
Fuel system
Filed Sep 6, 2023

Gas leaks smells from engine bay previous years have this problem and have recalls...

NHTSA ID
11542822
Incident
Sep 5, 2023
Filed Aug 15, 2022

A plastic guide piece which holds the passenger side of the panoramic sunroof (rear, above backseat) retractable sunshade continuously breaks on its own with limited infrequent use by control switch. I had it replaced by the dealer, which is expensive. Its my opinion this is a design flaw, or cheap plastic oem issue.

NHTSA ID
11479275
Incident
Aug 2, 2022
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 11, 2022
Crash reported

The 2017 A8L 4.0T is equipped with a engine Start-Stop system that switches off the engine when the car is motionless, to save fuel. The system is supposed to restart the engine immediately when the brake is released. This system malfunctions routinely and refuses to restart, leaving me with an immobile car at stoplights and intersections, putting me and my family at risk. This safety hazard has caused two accidents. In the first incident, I parked in my spot and got out of the car. The Audi rolled backward and collided with the car parked behind (insurance claim filed). In the other incident, I was stopped at an intersection, at an incline. The car failed to restart when I took my foot off the brake and rolled back, colliding with the truck behind me. My rear bumper was damaged, truck was not damaged. The car was inspected multiple times, and problem was reproduced by the Audi dealer. They attempted fixes, but failed to solve the problem. No warning lights or message appeared to alert me to this start-stop system failure.

NHTSA ID
11451619
Incident
Apr 1, 2021

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB_2082846_1

This bulletin provides a statement regarding the bottleneck of supply for VW approved oil types VW 504.00 and VW 507.00.

TSB_2078648_2

STRUCTURE:BODY

This service information TSB provides warranty coverage information for vehicles with a broken sunroof panel.

TSB_2073282_1

STRUCTURE:BODY

This bulletin provides information when there is a film/visible rings on the clear glass cover of the headlight when the dipped beam is switched on.

TSB_2073747_4

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides informatoinw hent here are scratches or a coating on the cover of the instrument cluster, or particles inside of the housing.

TSB_2074640_3

ENGINE

This bulletin provides information when there is increased oil consumption; >0.5ltr/1000 km.

TSB_2059335_7

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the instrument cluster.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Audi A8 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026010—
2025010—
2024020—
2023020—
2022030—
20215100—
2020350—
2019143054.2
2018020—
2017Viewing830—
2016114255.5
2015315254.5
2014185249.2
2013496255.9
2012111030.2
2011151039.6
2010110—
2009510—
2008810—
2007420—
2006620—
2005610—
2004201038.9
2003310—
2002110—
2001620—
2000320—
1999940—
1998430—
1997102046.1
1996120—
1995010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.