2018 Audi A8 problems
The 2018 Audi A8 was sold with 2 engines that we have documented: the 3.0 TDI V6 and the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6. The 3.0 TDI V6 has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 (verdict “Buy”). Outside the engine, 2 documented faults affect 2018 cars, such as suspension arms with a manufacturing defect (2018, 2019 and 2024 campaigns).
2018 Audi A8 score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 5 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
- Gearbox10.0No documented faults
- Suspension8.81 fault 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 safety10.0No documented faults
What changes compared with the 2017 Audi A8
- Score: 7.4 → 6.9
- Starts to be affected by: suspension arms with a manufacturing defect (2018, 2019 and 2024 campaigns) (rest of the car) and moisture in the engine control unit due to a connector without a sealing pin (rest of the car)
3.0 TDI V6 engine in the 2018 Audi A8
Names: 50 TDI
- Buy
3.0 TDI EA897 evo2 (DCPC, DDVC, DDVB, DHXA, DHXC, DENA, DEWA, DEWB; 2017-2021)
231–349 hp · DCPC, DDVC, DDVB, DDVE, DHXA, DHXC, DENA, DEND, DEWA, DEWB
A 2024 guide to the A6 C8 reports no current complaints about camshafts or the oil pump in the EA897 family, although there is little history and it keeps the general warning that a chain failure costs several thousand euros.[2]
Faults that affect 2018 cars
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 engine in the 2018 Audi A8
Names: A8 55 TFSI quattro
- Buy
3.0 TFSI turbo (EA839: CZSE, DR, CWGD; 2016 onwards)
330–354 hp · CZSE, DR, CWGD
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.[2]
There are no documented Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 faults that affect 2018 cars.
The Audi A8 D5 Audi 3.0 TFSI V6: all its faults and what to checkFaults outside the engine in the 2018 Audi A8
- High severityFrequency: RareSuspensionSuspension arms with a manufacturing defect (2018, 2019 and 2024 campaigns)There are three campaigns for the A8 D5's suspension parts: a component that could break (produced November-December 2018), faulty rear wishbones (17 to 25 October 2019) and a front arm with cracks (2024-2025 model years).
- Medium severityFrequency: RareElectrical systemMoisture in the engine control unit due to a connector without a sealing pinAudi recalled 583 A8 and S8 built between April 2018 and October 2020 because a sealing pin was missing from a connector on the engine control unit, allowing moisture in, with emergency mode or stalling possible.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Audi A8 reliable?
The 2018 Audi A8 was sold with 2 engines that we have documented: the 3.0 TDI V6 and the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6. The 3.0 TDI V6 has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 (verdict “Buy”). Outside the engine, 2 documented faults affect 2018 cars, such as suspension arms with a manufacturing defect (2018, 2019 and 2024 campaigns).
Is the 2018 Audi A8 better than the 2017?
Our score goes from 7.4 in 2017 to 6.9 in 2018. Starts to be affected by: suspension arms with a manufacturing defect (2018, 2019 and 2024 campaigns) (rest of the car) and moisture in the engine control unit due to a connector without a sealing pin (rest of the car).
What is the best year for the Audi A8?
According to our score, the best is 2017 (7.4/10). The year with the worst score is 2019 (6.6/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2018 Audi A8 have?
The most important ones documented for 2018 cars 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), injector wear (needle seat) and injection faults (3.0 TDI V6, high severity), suspension arms with a manufacturing defect (2018, 2019 and 2024 campaigns) (suspension, high severity) and moisture in the engine control unit due to a connector without a sealing pin (electrical system, medium severity).
Own a 2018 Audi A8? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- VW EA897Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
- Audi A6 C8 (4K): Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 7 September 2024 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
- List of Volkswagen Group petrol engines (EA837 y EA839)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026