2019 Audi A8
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 8 of 14 complaints (57%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 0 in 2018 to 14 in 2019.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | vs. 2019 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,500 | 3,500–4,100 | 3,500–4,300 | 3,350–4,300 | 3,350–4,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 22 | 19–22 | 18–22 | 18–23 | 18–23 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–19 / 29 | 16–19 / 26–29 | 15–19 / 23–27 | 15–21 / 23–27 | 15–21 / 23–26 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 397–410 | 397–466 | 405–495 | 430–495 | 430–495 | |
| Complaints filed | 8 | 0 | 14 | 3 | 5 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 10 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
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 2019 Audi A8 have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns 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 2019 Audi A8?
Electrical: 8 of 14 NHTSA complaints (57%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2019 Audi A8 get?
EPA rates it 18–22 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2019 Audi A8?
EPA estimates $3,500–$4,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 19 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | $3,500 (low) | 405 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 8 | 4.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 15 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $4,300 (high) | 495 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 1 | 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 (3)
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · Campaign 25V900000 · Dec 22, 2025
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.
ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM) · Campaign 21V111000 · Feb 25, 2021
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A8 and 2020-2021 Audi S8 vehicles. A missing sealing pin may allow moisture to enter the engine control module connector, possibly causing a control module malfunction.
Consequence: An engine control module malfunction may cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine control module connector for a missing sealing pin, and install it, if necessary. The connector will also be inspected for corrosion, and replaced as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 12, 20121. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 97EV.
SEATS · Campaign 19V415000 · Jun 6, 2019
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019 Audi A8 vehicles equipped with rear relaxation seats. The front passenger seat track rivet may fail and cause the spindle bracket to separate.
Consequence: A failure of the seat track rivet increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger seat tracks, free of charge. The recall began July 25, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 72J3.