2012 Audi A8
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 4 of 11 complaints (36%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 15 in 2011 to 11 in 2012.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | vs. 2012 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,300 | 3,700 | 3,700–4,850 | 3,700–5,150 | 3,200–5,150 | |
| Combined MPG | 18 | 21 | 16–21 | 15–21 | 15–28 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16 / 23 | 17 / 27 | 14–18 / 21–28 | 13–18 / 20–28 | 13–24 / 20–36 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 494 | 423 | 423–555 | 418–585 | 360–585 | |
| Complaints filed | 1 | 15 | 11 | 49 | 18 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Audi A8 have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Audi A8?
Engine: 4 of 11 NHTSA complaints (36%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Audi A8 get?
EPA rates it 16–21 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Audi A8?
EPA estimates $3,700–$4,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S8) | 12 | 6.3L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 14 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $4,850 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 8 | 4.2L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $3,700 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S8) | 8 | 4.2L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 18 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $3,700 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · Campaign 16V619000 · Aug 24, 2016
Defect: 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.