2013 Audi A8: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2013 Audi A8? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 49 complaints, with Engine Problems as the top reported area.
2013 Audi A8 Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 5 2013 Audi A8 trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 5 trims analysed.
2013 Audi A8 Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2013 Audi A8 has 49 owner complaints, 0 crash-related complaints, and 6 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Engine Problems. NHTSA reliability signal: Good Record.
- Make
- Audi
- Model
- A8
- Model year
- 2013
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 49
- Crash-related complaints
- 0
- Safety recall campaigns
- 6
- Top reported component
- Engine Problems
- Reliability signal
- Good Record
- EPA MPG combined
- 21
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 18 / 28
- Fuel type
- Premium Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2013 Audi A8 Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Engine Problems
Fuel/Propulsion System
Uncategorized Issues
Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Fuel/Propulsion System, Uncategorized Issues. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2013 Audi A8?
The 2013 Audi A8 looks comparatively lower-risk based on complaint volume, but model-year averages do not confirm the condition of any specific used car.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2013 Audi A8
Inspection Focus
- Inspect the engine thoroughly, including service records for reported issues.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for fuel/propulsion and brake systems.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect the engine thoroughly, including service records for reported issues.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for fuel/propulsion and brake systems.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2013 Audi A8, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2013 Audi A8 are heavily concentrated in the Engine category, accounting for the majority of reports. No crash-related incidents were reported, but the data is limited to a single model year and a low sample size.
- Engine Problems dominate complaints with 37 reports.
- Fuel/Propulsion System and Uncategorized Issues each have 5 complaints.
- No crash-related complaints were recorded.
- Engine Problems
- Fuel/Propulsion System
- Brake System
All 2013 Audi A8 Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Audi A8. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 37 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2013 Audi A8. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Engine totaled because of oil starvation I'm guessing or maybe an oil pump failure oil starvation caused Pistons to rub inside of head cost of engine and work is more than the vehicles cost so that means car is totaled
The pcv oil separator has failed and is making a whistling sound. From researching this issue it is widely known and an investigation shows it is caused in relation to a recall for the oil strainer that was done on this vehicle. I called audi dealership and they said this is no…
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 …
The contact owns a 2013 Audi A8. The contact stated that while her son was driving at highway speeds, the warning lights on the instrument panel flashed as the vehicle shut off. The contact's son managed to pull over despite the failure. The vehicle was initially towed to one dea…
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…
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 …
Unknown at this moment service vist is next week. The problem is a know piston ring issues on other years of same engine with massive oil consumption 1 qt a week with minimal driving less then 100 miles. Spent 3k on pvc and coolant pump that are a known issue of totaling engine b…
Me and my son were traveling on a business road trip from my home in Lincoln, CA to do business at several companies and end up at a customer located in Anaheim, CA. We started on [XXX] in Roseville, CA highway Interstate [XXX] traveling towards Anaheim with stops along the wa…
Me and my son were traveling on a business road trip from my home in Lincoln, CA to do business at several companies and end up at a customer located in Anaheim, CA. We started on [XXX] traveling towards Anaheim with stops along the way. We were coming down highway [XXX] on the…
The contact owns a 2013 Audi A8. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V178000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the contact had scheduled three separate appointments with a dealer and was cancelled after each scheduled appointment. The contact stated t…
Sunroof shattered while driving.
In March of 2022, a safety recall number 21H7, was issued for my 2013 Audi A8L regarding the oil strainer which could clog and result in the turbocharger failing and subsequent consequences. I have contacted my Audi dealer numerous times since first receiving written notification…
1. OeM audi windshield started leaking water inside the vehicle. Thia is very unsafe when driving thru rain as water pours down the inside of the glass. 2. Uneven and creaky suspension. Vehivle pulls on side where suspension is not leveling thw vehicle out. 3. Followed all pr…
There is an open recall: 16V619000 Which applies to a set of VIN numbers. This same issue happened on my vehicle and my VIN is not part of the recall. Other VIN numbers should be included in this recall like mine. I had to get the repaired on my own for $2500 because this recall …
Manufacturer Recall Number21H7 NHTSA Recall Number22V178 This recall was issued in May 2022. I emailed Audi USA, who advised me that they do not have a repair they can implement to address this recall. This is surprising because, according to an Audi enthusiast website, repai…
I was told the recall wasn't yet active, but the dealer had the parts to take care of the recall. Now I am being told I must pay for the recall repair and wait an undetermined amount of time to get reimbursed through the manufacturer. Meanwhile I can not do anything with the vehi…
My car don’t get the full power & it whistles they say it’s the oil seperator .
The car has only 60,000 miles and it is gently driven. In the middle of the interstate it started making a rattling noise. Immediately the car ceased to run. Luckily there was no vehicle otherwise it would have been a disaster. I managed to start the car back and bring it to my h…
On the afternoon of September 12, 2018, my 2013 Audi A8L 4.0T started with somewhat of a rough idle, but no warning lights or error codes were present on the dashboard. I owned the car for approximately 18 months at that point, and this had never happened before. As soon as I s…
I experienced the engine stall/turbo failure as described in NHTSA Action Number PE21009. I have all of the supporting documents regarding this turbo failure. Volkswagen auto group had previously issued a voluntary TSB regarding this known design shortcoming in the turbo system o…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2013 Audi A8.
2013 Audi A8 Recalls
6 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2013 Audi A8. 6 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2013 Audi A8 Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2013 Audi A8 reliable?▾
Good Record. NHTSA currently shows 49 owner complaints, 0 crash-related complaints, and 6 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2013 Audi A8 looks comparatively lower-risk based on complaint volume, but model-year averages do not confirm the condition of any specific used car. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Audi A8?▾
#1: Engine Problems (37 complaints). #2: Fuel/Propulsion System (5 complaints). #3: Uncategorized Issues (5 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Audi A8?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2013 Audi A8?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2013 Audi A8, NHTSA complaints include 0 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 49 total complaints. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2013 Audi A8 have any recalls?▾
Yes. 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2013 Audi A8. A major recall area is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. 6 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2013 Audi A8?▾
The 2013 Audi A8 looks comparatively lower-risk based on complaint volume, but model-year averages do not confirm the condition of any specific used car. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Engine Problems during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Audi A8 reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2013 Audi A8 based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.