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Audi A8 D5 problems (2017–today)

We have documented 2 engines for the Audi A8 D5; the 3.0 TDI V6 has high or critical severity faults. The safest option is the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6, with a «Buy» verdict.[1]

Outside the engine: Outside the engine, European sources on the Audi A8 D5 mainly record recalls for suspension (rear axle, arms) and one or two for safety or electrics. We have found no reports of real-world faults from owners, only preventive campaigns.[2][3][4]

Audi A8 D5 (2017–today)
Photo: Vauxford · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468106.6out of 10

Audi A8 D5 rating: acceptable reliability

Calculated using only 8 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. One of this car's engines has no documented faults in the versions it uses, but there aren't enough sources to call it reliable either, so it doesn't count towards the engine score. How it is calculated

  • Engine5.23 faults
  • Gearbox9.31 fault
  • Suspension8.32 faults and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Brakes8.8Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.5 times the defects normal for its age
  • Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
  • Steering8.2Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.7 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electrical system9.31 fault
  • Headlights and lights8.1Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.8 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior7.7Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.9 times the defects normal for its age
  • Airbags and safety8.91 fault

Ranked 12 of 95 among the saloons with solid evidence. See the ranking

The weak points of the Audi A8 D5

  1. 1High severity: Failing water pump and cooling system leaks3.0 TDI V6 engine
  2. 2High severity: Timing chain stretch and tensioner wear3.0 TDI V6 engine
  3. 3High severity: Injector wear (needle seat) and injection faults3.0 TDI V6 engine
  4. 4Medium severity: Rear axle arm nuts and wheel alignment and camber readjustmentSuspension
  5. 5High severity: Suspension arms with a manufacturing defect (2018, 2019 and 2024 campaigns)Suspension

Documented engines, from highest to lowest risk

The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines

See what to check before buying

Outside the engine

8 recalls and campaigns documented, the latest: Front trailing arm with cracks. See the campaigns for the Audi A8 D5

13 sourcesHow we work

3.0 TDI V6

VW/Audi 3.0 TDI V6 (EA896 and EA897) · Diesel

In the A8 D5
since 2017[5]
Name
50 TDI
Faults that affect it
3 · all of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
48
Moderate risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

Faults that affect the A8 D5

Only those that affect the versions and years that this car used. The 3.0 TDI V6 has 7 documented faults in total.

  1. High severityFrequency: CommonCoolingFailing water pump and cooling system leaksOn the 3.0 TDI the water pump can fail and, from 2010, overheat to the point of damaging the engine (the A6 C6 guide cites a service action). Owners also cite coolant leaks from hoses, the regulating valve and the cooler.
  2. High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming chain stretch and tensioner wearOn the 3.0 TDI V6 the timing chain is at the gearbox end and its tensioner can lose tension: it rattles on a cold start and, if the chain stretches, the timing goes out and the engine is at risk. Replacing it means opening the engine and costs several thousand euros.
  3. High severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionInjector wear (needle seat) and injection faultsGerman guides point to wear of the needle seat of the 3.0 TDI injectors: they stop closing properly, diesel drips into the cylinder and dilutes the oil. Smoke from the exhaust can be the warning, and reports on the 313 hp twin-turbo repeat injection faults.

A8 D5 3.0 TDI V6 pageAll versions and faults of the 3.0 TDI V6

Audi 3.0 TFSI V6

Safest option

Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 con compresor (EA837) and turbo (EA839, 3.0 and 2.9 TFSI) · Petrol

In the A8 D5
since 2017[6]
Name
A8 55 TFSI quattro
Faults that affect it
0
Risk index on this car
0
Low risk

Verdict for the version it uses

  • 3.0 TFSI turbo (EA839: CZSE, DR, CWGD; 2016 onwards)since 2016 · 330–354 hp · CZSE, DR, CWGD

    Buy

    We have not found any documented faults of its own in open sources; the German A6 C8 guide says this V6 has not given problems so far, although with few years of use and no high-mileage data.[1]

Faults that affect the A8 D5

None of the documented faults of the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 affects the versions and years that the A8 D5 used.

A8 D5 Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 pageAll versions and faults of the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6

Faults of the Audi A8 D5 outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, tyres, electronics and the rest of the car. They occur with any engine.

What the MOT inspection finds on the Audi A8 D5

Official Dutch MOT (APK) inspection data: 883 inspections of 539 cars registered between 2018 and 2022, compared with cars of the same age.

  • Suspension and axles· counts in the score

    Defects in 0% of inspections; in cars of its age, 1.1%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Brakes· counts in the score

    Defects in 0.3% of inspections; in cars of its age, 2%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Steering· counts in the score

    Defects in 0% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.5%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Headlights and lights· counts in the score

    Defects in 6.2% of inspections; in cars of its age, 8.6%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Rust and bodywork· counts in the score

    Defects in 0% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.1%.

    Average

  • Exhaust and emissions

    Defects in 0.2% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.5%.

    Average

  • Fluid leaks

    Defects in 0.3% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.2%.

    Average

  • Glass, wipers and mirrors

    Defects in 1.1% of inspections; in cars of its age, 3.3%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Tyres and wheels· depends mostly on maintenance

    Defects in 10.2% of inspections; in cars of its age, 13.3%.

    Fewer defects than average

The inspection measures wear and the defects visible at a periodic check, not engine or electronics failures. Source: RDW Open Data (public domain). How we calculate it · opendata.rdw.nl

Checklist for buying a used Audi A8 D5

Check the advert or the paperwork to see which engine the car has and go through its section. Each point comes from a documented fault; you can tick them off as you inspect.

If it has the 3.0 TDI V6 (since 2017)

Failing water pump and cooling system leaks

High severity

Timing chain stretch and tensioner wear

High severity

Injector wear (needle seat) and injection faults

High severity

Wear parts for the Audi A8 D5

Brakes, wiper blades, pollen filter and battery, searched for this model. The exact part number depends on the engine and year: confirm it with the registration plate or VIN.

Affiliate links: if you buy from these shops, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility against the registration plate or VIN before ordering. Affiliate links

Buying a Audi A8 D5?

We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.

Own a Audi A8 D5? Tell us what faults you have had, at what mileage and how much you paid. Report your fault.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Audi A8 D5 reliable?

We have documented 2 engines for the Audi A8 D5; the 3.0 TDI V6 has high or critical severity faults. The safest option is the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6, with a «Buy» verdict. Outside the engine, European sources on the Audi A8 D5 mainly record recalls for suspension (rear axle, arms) and one or two for safety or electrics. We have found no reports of real-world faults from owners, only preventive campaigns.

Which Audi A8 D5 engine is the most reliable?

Among the 2 engines we have documented, the safest option is the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6, with a «Buy» verdict. We have not found any documented faults of its own in open sources; the German A6 C8 guide says this V6 has not given problems so far, although with few years of use and no high-mileage data.[1]

What problems does the Audi A8 D5 have apart from the engine?

Outside the engine, European sources on the Audi A8 D5 mainly record recalls for suspension (rear axle, arms) and one or two for safety or electrics. We have found no reports of real-world faults from owners, only preventive campaigns. The most important documented faults are: rear axle arm nuts and wheel alignment and camber readjustment (suspension, medium severity), suspension arms with a manufacturing defect (2018, 2019 and 2024 campaigns) (suspension, high severity), airbag impact sensors incorrectly fitted in the front doors (airbags and safety, high severity) and moisture in the engine control unit due to a connector without a sealing pin (electrical system, medium severity).[2][3][4]

What faults does the Audi A8 D5 have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: failing water pump and cooling system leaks (3.0 TDI V6, high severity), timing chain stretch and tensioner wear (3.0 TDI V6, high severity) and injector wear (needle seat) and injection faults (3.0 TDI V6, high severity).

What is the best year to buy a Audi A8 D5?

According to our rating by year, the best is 2017 (7.4/10); the worst rated is 2019 (6.6/10). Each year's rating counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those units: open each year to see what changes.

Does the Audi A8 D5 have recalls?

Yes: we have documented 8 campaigns for the Audi A8 D5, such as front trailing arm with cracks (2025). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Audi A6 C8: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  2. Audi A8 (2019 – 2021): reajuste del eje trasero (campaña 42L5)Car-Recalls.eu (a partir de EU Safety Gate) · Other source · published 1 April 2022 · consulted 29 October 2026
  3. Audi A8 (2019 – 2021): tuercas del brazo del eje trasero (campaña 42L1)Car-Recalls.eu (a partir de EU Safety Gate) · Other source · published 11 July 2021 · consulted 29 October 2026
  4. Audi A8 (2018): componente de la suspensión de rueda (campaña 40O4)Car-Recalls.eu (a partir de EU Safety Gate) · Other source · published 12 April 2019 · consulted 29 October 2026
  5. VW EA897Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  6. List of Volkswagen Group petrol engines (EA837 y EA839)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
  7. Fiabilité Audi A6 (2011-2018) (106 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 9 October 2026 · in French
  8. Tous les problèmes sur Audi Q5 2008-2017 (322 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 9 October 2026 · in French
  9. Audi A6 C6 (4F): Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 9 September 2022 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  10. 3.0 TDI: Viele Probleme, teure WartungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 28 January 2023 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  11. VW Touareg 3.0 TDI – typische Probleme und ODIS-DiagnoseKFZ Dietrich (taller, Hardegsen) · Other source · published 22 April 2026 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  12. VW EA896Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  13. Audi A5 8T (B8): Probleme, Schwachstellen & KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 20 January 2022 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German