Home · 2015 Audi A8 Lwb · Complaints

What 30 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Audi A8 Lwb

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (30)Crash / fire / injury (1)Engine (17)Brakes (4)Wheels (3)Electrical system (2)Seats (2)Speed control (2)Transmission & drivetrain (2)Visibility & wipers (2)Airbags (1)Body & structure (1)

Newest first · 30 complaints · page 1 of 2

Jan 5, 2025Engine

Yet another beautiful Audi 3.0tfsi with the rocker arm failure … how is there not a class action lawsuit already ? I have a knock in my valve train and I just bought this car two days ago …. Audi should be liable to fix this because I didn’t know nothing about this and with a quick search it’s alike a epidemic of the same problem..

NHTSA ODI 11634247

Feb 22, 2024Visibility & wipers

Water leaking from passenger side top right corner from windshield. Glass isn’t damaged. Just started leaking for no reason

NHTSA ODI 11573260

Feb 17, 2024Body & structureVisibility & wipers

Leaking windshield on passenger side top left corner

NHTSA ODI 11572479

Apr 12, 2022Engine

The contact owns a 2015 Audi A8. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle that stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA ODI 11460496

Feb 13, 2022Engine

With out any prior warning the car began to sputter and then lost power while I was on the highway. I had the vehicle towed to the dealership and found the Turbos failed which caused the problem. This car has been well maintained and serviced by the dealership. It now has a $14000.00 repair bill.

NHTSA ODI 11451724

Feb 1, 2022Engine

Turbo chargers failed on highway at highway speeds leading major loss of power in a passing situation nearly causing an accident then the car stalled at exit ramp

NHTSA ODI 11449661

Aug 18, 2021Engine

Engine stalled as i approached departure terminal at Newark airport. Dealer has inspected and determined the Turbo Impeller is bent and requires replacement. Car will not run. This is a known problem on Audi turbo engines apparently. Just prior to stalling the oil low light came on then the car stalled out creating a hazardous safety situation for a perfectly well maintained car.

NHTSA ODI 11429584

Jun 15, 2021Engine

The stock turbo when right in the middle of traffic at 60,000 miles. Almost died in traffic as the car would not move out of the road. This is not exclusive to A8 but to all the audi cars with the 4.0T engine across many vehicle years. An OEM turbo should last 150k-200k miles (half that if aftermarket). Cost $10k to replace.

NHTSA ODI 11421084

May 16, 2021Engine

Car stalled in left turn lane. Restarted with difficulty, and loss of power. No warning lights. Diagnosed by dealer to be failed twin turbochargers. 45688 miles. Replaced under extended warranty. Dangerous as car stalled in an intersection with no prior warning.

NHTSA ODI 11417351

Apr 5, 2021Engine

MY CAR'S ENGINE STARTED STUTTERING AND IDLING VERY ROUGHLY WHILE EXITING THE EXPRESSWAY. THE EC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON. IT CONTINUED TO SHUTTER, AND SHAKE, UNTIL IT SHUT OFF. IT WOULDN'T RESTART, AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE ISSUE, AND REPORTED THE TURBOS HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY AND SCORING ON THE SURFACE OF THE HOUSING, CAUSED BY THE EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE TURBOS. TURBOCHARGERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI 11406416

Apr 1, 2021Engine

REGULAR DRIVING EAST BOUND ON I-80 AND AFTER GOING UP A HILL MY CAR COULDN'T GO OVER 3500 RPMS. THOUGHT IT WAS THE ECU PUTTING IT INTO LIMP MODE BECAUSE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS. TURNED OUT BOTH MY TURBOS BLEW AT 67,000 MILES AND LEAD TO TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE WITH METAL SHAVINGS REACHING THE EXHAUST AND LOITERING THE OIL PAN.

NHTSA ODI 11406015

Mar 12, 2021Engine

AFTER GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE JUST QUIT. FORTUNATELY WE WERE AT A STOP SIGN AT THE END OF THE OFF-RAMP. THERE WAS NO WARNING AND WE WERE NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR TO MOVE IT OUT OF TRAFFIC NOR COULD WE SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. HAD THIS HAPPENED A FEW MINUTES EARLIER, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAVELING AT 70 MPH. FORTUNATELY, MY SON WAS DRIVING, BECAUSE AT MY AGE HAD THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THERE IS NO WAY I COULD HAVE STEERED IT TO SAFETY WITHOUT POWER STEERING. I KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST INCIDENT OF THIS HAPPENING TO THIS MODEL CAR. IT SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. IT'S A SHAME THAT AUDI IS FORCING ITS CUSTOMERS TO COVER THE COST OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11402684

Feb 24, 2021Engine

ENGINE SHUT DOWN AT HIGHWAY SPEED ~65MPH WHILE DECELERATING INTO TOLL BOOTH OUR TO TURBO FAILURE. COMPLETE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. LOST POWER IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. DANGEROUSLY NAVIGATED THROUGH EZPASS LANE WITHOUT POWER. HAZARDS ON. DANGEROUSLY NAVIGATED TO SHOULDER, COASTING, WITH NO ENGINE POWER. CAME TO COMPLETE STOP ON SHOULDER. WAS ABLE TO RESTART MOTOR AND DROVE DIRECTLY TO AUDI DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED KNOWN TURBO FAILURE PROBLEM ON VEHICLE MODEL. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DEADLY CONDITION AND NEEDS TO BE FEDERALLY ADDRESSED. AUDI HAS A 2015 SUPPLEMENT TO EMISSIONS WARRANTY IDENTIFYING THE TURBO FAILURES AND THERE IS A FEDERAL STATUE TO EXTENT THIS CORRECTION TO 7YR 70K MILES. REGARDLESS, IT SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11397821

Feb 5, 2021Transmission & drivetrain

TURBO FAILURE AT 57,000 MILES. CAR DIED WHILE IN TRAFFIC WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI 11394763

Jan 16, 2021Transmission & drivetrainSeats

THE DRIVER SEAT BADGES A BACK AND FORTH A LITTLE BIT AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ROUGHLY IN DYNAMIC MODE AND THERE IS A BIG VIBRATION WHEN CAR IS SHIFTING GEARS

NHTSA ODI 11388467

Dec 13, 2020Lane DepartureDriver assistance

FRONT COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE IN THE HEADS UP DISPLAY AND THE AUDIO PORTION OF THE ALARM IS NOT AUDIBLE. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE NO RESOLUTION. THE BLIND SIDE WARNING SYSTEM HAS NO AUDIO.

NHTSA ODI 11383218

Nov 24, 2020Engine

BAD WATER PUMP AND CROSS BAR

NHTSA ODI 11376098

Apr 14, 2020Engine

CAR RAN ROUGH ON THE WAY HOME FROM PICKING UP TAKE OUT DINNER - METALLIC, RAPID POPPING SOUND COMING FROM ENGINE BAY (FAINT WITH WINDOW UP). CAR DIED WHILE SLOWING AT A STOP LIGHT AND WOULD NOT TURN ON - STEERING WHEEL ALSO LOCKED, POWER BRAKES FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO BRING MY CAR TO A STOP BEFORE STRIKING A BOULDER USING NON-POWER BRAKES. CAR WAS TOWED TO NEAREST AUDI DEALERSHIP AND I WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH (!) TURBOS FAILED AT JUST OVER 70,000 MILES AND METICULOUS SERVICE. OIL WAS CHANGED AT HALF THE RECOMMENDED INTERVAL (@5,000 MILES). EXPENSIVE REPAIR THAT SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE (AND EXTREMELY FREQUENTLY FROM OWNER REPORTS) THAT ALSO LED TO A COMPLETELY LOSS OF CONTROL AND SOME BRAKE FUNCTION. AUDI HAS A TSB ON THE ISSUE, BUT WONDERING WHY THE DOT/NHTSA HAS YET TO ENFORCE A RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ODI 11321144

Feb 21, 2020AirbagsCrash1 injury

I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION AND MY AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY CAUSING ME A HEAD INJURY. MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY SITING IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED $16,000.00 IN REPAIR COST.

NHTSA ODI 11310484

Feb 3, 2020Engine

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THEN MY ENGINE SHUTOFF, IT WAS VERY HARD TO CONTROL THE CAR, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. AUDI SAYS BOTH TURBO HAD BLOWN, I GUESS ITS COMMON.

NHTSA ODI 11306754

Jul 29, 2019TiresWheelsEngine

I HAVE OWNED MY 2015 AUDI 8L FOR 6 MONTHS AND IT HAS STARTED TO STALL WHENEVER I START THE INITIATION BUTTON. OFTEN TIMES IT WILL JUST SHIFT OFF CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO RESTART IT MULTIPLE TIMES. I BROUGHT THIS ISSUE UP MY LOCAL AUDI DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE ACTED AS IF THEY WERE TOTALLY UNAWARE OF THIS ISSUE. ALSO I KEEP GETTING LOW PRESSURE IN MY FROM RIGHT TIRE, THIS KEEPS ME FROM BEING ABLE TO DRIVE LONG DISTANCES AS I AM MILITARY STATIONED IN AN ISOLATED AREA. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11240499

May 8, 2019Engine

THE CAR EXPERIENCED A OIL SEPARATOR FAILURE. THE MADE AN EXTREMELY LOUD WHISTLING SOUND AT IDLE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND AUDI ISSUED A TSB FOR IT BUT DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL. THE CAR RAN VERY ROUGH. TO FIS THIS ISSUE I HAD TO PAY OVER $2,000 TO HAVE AN NEW VERSION OF THE OIL SEPARATOR INSTALLED. AUDI SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS SINCE THEY KNOW THE ORIGINAL PART IS DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA ODI 11206291

Mar 9, 2019Engine

ENGINE STALLED IN TRAFFIC AND CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. CAR WAS OPERATING NORMALLY, PULLED UP TO A RED LIGHT TO TURN LEFT ON TO BUSY 2-LANE HIGHWAY. ENGINE BEGAN SPUTTERING AND CAR LURCHED FORWARD. LIGHT TURNED GREEN, WAS ABLE TO TURN LEFT ON TO THE ROAD. I GOT 1/3 MILE DOWN THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE STALLED COMPLETELY AND WOULD NOT RESTART ON MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. CAR WAS DISABLED AND STUCK IN TRAFFIC. CAR TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER DIAGNOSED FAILED TURBOCHARGERS. CAR HAD 68,800 MILES ON IT AT TIME OF TURBOCHARGER FAILURE. CAR WAS SERVICED AT AUDI DEALER FOR EVERY SERVICE INTERVAL PER MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED MILEAGE-BASED INTERVALS. CAR/ENGINE HAS NOT BEEN MODIFIED IN ANY WAY WITH AFTERMARKET PARTS.

NHTSA ODI 11185505

Dec 21, 2017Brakes

ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED AT HIGHWAY DRIVING SPEEDS. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TO AUDI DEALERSHIP TWICE, YET THEY FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS THAT THEY ARE RUNNING RELY ON THE COMPUTER, WHICH IS DEFECTIVE TO BEGIN WITH AND NOT RECORDING THE NECESSARY FAILURE (CODES) FOR WHEN THE BRAKES FAIL ON THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE PER AUDI DEALERSHIP (OPEN ROAD / AUDI MANHATTAN) UNTIL LEASE END.

NHTSA ODI 11055869

Sep 20, 2017Brakes

WHEN BRAKING THE CAR VIBRATES, SOMETIMES SO VIOLENTLY THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO KEEP APPLYING THE BRAKES TO CONTROL THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SERVICE SINCE JUNE 27, 2015 AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN 21,000 MILES. HOWEVER, THIS VIBRATION HAS BEEN NOTICED EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE CAR. ORIGINALLY, I THOUGHT THE VIBRATION WAS DUE TO THE ROAD SURFACE OR CONDITION, BUT I HAVE COME TO REALIZE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A VEHICLE FAULT. IN THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WE WERE DRIVING FROM PAYSON, ARIZONA TO MESA, ARIZONA USING THE VEHICLE CRUISE CONTROL. ON THIS ROAD, US 87, THERE ARE A FEW INCLINES OF ABOUT 6% THAT RUN FOR 2 TO 3 MILES. AS THE CAR GAINED SPEED GOING DOWN THE INCLINE THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD APPLY THE BRAKES AND EXTREME SHUDDERING AND VIBRATION OF THE VEHICLE OCCURRED. TO MAINTAIN A SAFE SPEED WE EVENTUALLY REVERTED TO ENGINE BRAKING TO CONTROL A SAFE SPEED. THIS HIGHWAY IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND I AM CERTAIN THAT THE ROAD CONDITIONS DID NOT CONTRIBUTE THE THE VIOLENT SHUDDERING OF THE VEHICLE. MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN RETIRED FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND WE HAVE NOT DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE HARD OR HAD ANY EMERGENCY STOPS. THE VIBRATION IS PRESENT, TO A LESSER DEGREE, AT SLOWER SPEEDS AND VARIES CONSIDERABLY DAY TO DAY. I HAVE OWNED TWO LEXUS' PRIOR TO THE A8L. BOTH THE LS400 AND LS430 WERE DRIVEN 120,000+ MILES WITHOUT A BRAKE PROBLEM OR VIBRATION DURING BRAKING. THE PADS MAY HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE, BUT THE ROTORS NEVER HAD A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11024716

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Working with the data? Download all 30 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 25, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2015 Audi A8 Lwb verdict →