Best and worst Audi A8 years to buy
Every model year, judged against the others.
Gathering every model year from NHTSA. The first look at a model can take a little while.
Every model year, judged against the others.
Gathering every model year from NHTSA. The first look at a model can take a little while.
NHTSA did not answer for model year 2027, so it is missing here. For 2004 and 2020 to 2025, NHTSA answered only in part, so some counts say “No answer”. The verdicts may change once NHTSA answers. Try again in a minute.
Look for 2005, 2012, the newest Worthy years. Careful with 2001 and 2015.
Of the newer years to look for, the ones with the fewest owner complaints for their age. A year few people bought can look the same.
From owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Only years old enough to judge. Still have any car inspected.
The most recent judged years that came out Worthy.
Other Worthy years with the fewest owner complaints against a typical year at the same age. A year with few sales can look the same.
Education, not financial or mechanical advice. Have any used car checked by a mechanic you trust before you buy.
Each year’s owner complaints, held up against a typical year of the A8 at the same age. Popular cars collect more complaints just by selling more, so a year is never compared with another model.
Tap a year to open it. Bars are owner complaints filed with NHTSA: unverified, and not adjusted for how many were sold. The three small marks by a year show how sure its verdict is: three for high, one for low. How sure is the verdict? The 2026 to 2027 models are too new to judge.
SourceNHTSA’s complaint and recall datasets. Each year’s page links its own NHTSA record. NHTSA, checked Nov 1, 2026.
0.7× a typical year
5 vs 7 typical
Most named: Wheels and tires
Judged years with enough more complaints than a typical year to reach Maybe or Pass.
“Do not drive” and “park outside” are NHTSA’s own warnings on a recall, until it is fixed.
Scroll the table sideways to see more.
| Year | Verdict | Owner complaints | Recalls | Top problem area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Not judged | 0 | 1 | None on file |
| 2025 | Not judged | No answer | 1 | No answer |
| 2024 | Not judged | No answer | 2 | No answer |
| 2023 | Not judged | No answer | 2 | No answer |
| 2022 | Not judged | No answer | 3 | No answer |
| 2021 | Not judged | No answer | 10 | No answer |
| 2020 | Not judged | No answer | 5 | No answer |
| 2019 | Not judged | 0 | 3 | None on file |
| 2018 | Not judged | 0 | 2 | None on file |
| 2017 | Not judged | 0 | 3 | None on file |
| 2016 | Not judged | 0 | 4 | None on file |
| 2015 | Maybe | 32 | 5 | Engine |
| 2014 | Not judged | 18 | 5 | Engine |
| 2013 | Not judged | 50 | 6 | Engine |
| 2012 | Worthy | 11 | 1 | Engine |
| 2011 | Not judged | 15 | 1 | Engine |
| 2010 | Not judged | 1 | 1 | Windows, wipers and visibility |
| 2009 | Not judged | 5 | 1 | Brakes |
| 2008 | Not judged | 8 | 1 | Air bags |
| 2007 | Not judged | 4 | 2 | Air bags |
| 2006 | Not judged | 6 | 2 | Cruise and speed control |
| 2005 | Worthy | 6 | 1 | Cruise and speed control |
| 2004 | Not judged | No answer | 1 | No answer |
| 2003 | Worthy | 8 | 1 | Lights |
| 2002 | Not judged | 8 | 1 | Wheels and tires |
| 2001 | Maybe | 18 | 2 | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2000 | Worthy | 8 | 2 | Wheels and tires |
| 1999 | Not judged | 12 | 4 | Body and frame |
| 1998 | Not judged | 7 | 3 | Air bags |
| 1997 | Worthy | 11 | 2 | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 1996 | Not judged | 1 | 2 | Brakes |
| 1995 | Not judged | 0 | 1 | None on file |
SourceNHTSA’s complaint and recall datasets. Each year’s page links its own NHTSA record. NHTSA, checked Nov 1, 2026.