Model year guide

2012 Audi A8

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Audi A8 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 91 on record.

2012 Audi A8 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2012 Audi A8 at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints11
Combined21 mpg
Typical price$40,744

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2012 Audi A8 recalls 1

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine NHTSA Campaign #16V619000 · 24/08/2016

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Audi A8 vehicles manufactured May 15, 2010, to May 14, 2012. The affected vehicles have a coolant valve that may leak, allowing coolant to enter the engine control module causing a loss of power or the engine to stall.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the coolant valve and inspect for coolant that has leaked through the electrical connector, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 19, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2012 Audi A8 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.

2012 Audi A8 MPG & running costs

Combined21 mpg
City18 mpg
Highway28 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,900

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

What's a 2012 Audi A8 worth?

Low
$36,000
Typical price
$40,744
High
$46,200

From 91 comparable 2012 Audi A8 listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 Audi A8 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,500
Depreciation (5 yrs)$27,050
Total$46,550
Per mile$0.62

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($40,744) with the same model 5 model-years older ($13,700), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2012 Audi A8 trims & engines on record

Trims
L 4.2 quattro · 4.2 quattro · L · L W12 6.3 quattro
Engines
4.2L 8-cyl 372 hp · 6.3L 12-cyl 500 hp

2012 Audi A8 vehicles on record

2012 Audi A8 2012 Audi A8 L 4.2 quattroWAURVAFD7CN011073 2012 Audi A8 2012 Audi A8 L 4.2 quattroWAURVAFD8CN001149 2012 Audi A8 2012 Audi A8 L 4.2 quattroWAURVAFDXCN012086 2012 Audi A8 2012 Audi A8 L 4.2 quattroWAURVAFD4CN010060 2012 Audi A8 2012 Audi A8 L W12 6.3 quattroWAUR4AFD4CN008621 2012 Audi A8 L 4.2 quattroWAURVAFD0CN006023 2012 Audi A8 2012 Audi A8 L 4.2 quattroWAURVAFD8CN002916 2012 Audi A8 L 4.2 quattroWAURVAFD9CN011656 2012 Audi A8 2012 Audi A8 L 4.2 quattroWAURVAFD2CN001907 2012 Audi A8 2012 Audi A8 L 4.2 quattroWAURVAFD0CN017166 2012 Audi A8 2012 Audi A8 4.2 quattroWAUAVAFD5CN014552 2012 Audi A8 L 4.2 quattroWAURVAFD5CN002324 2012 Audi A8 2012 Audi A8 L 4.2 quattroWAURVAFD4CN010270 2012 Audi A8 2012 Audi A8 L 4.2 quattroWAURVAFD2CN001129 2012 Audi A8 L 4.2 quattroWAURVAFD7CN011462 2012 Audi A8 2012 Audi A8 L 4.2 quattroWAURVAFDXCN019264 2012 Audi A8 2012 Audi A8 L 4.2 quattroWAURVAFD4CN008602 2012 Audi A8 2012 Audi A8 L 4.2 quattroWAURVAFD3CN012284 2012 Audi A8 2012 Audi A8 L 4.2 quattroWAURVAFD9CN027047 2012 Audi A8 2012 Audi A8 L 4.2 quattroWAURVAFD3CN013659 2012 Audi A8 2012 Audi A8 L 4.2 quattroWAURVAFD9CN004836 2012 Audi A8 2012 Audi A8 L 4.2 quattroWAURVAFD8CN020185 2012 Audi A8 L 4.2 quattroWAURVAFD2CN011854 2012 Audi A8 L 4.2 quattroWAURVAFD5CN005966

Other Audi A8 model years

2018 2016 2015 2014 2013 2011 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2002 2001

2012 Audi A8 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Audi A8 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2012 Audi A8. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Audi A8?

Across all 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, air bags, steering.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Audi A8 get?

The 2012 Audi A8 has a U.S. EPA estimate of 21 mpg combined (18 city / 28 highway).

How much is a 2012 Audi A8 worth?

Comparable 2012 Audi A8 listings run roughly $36,000–$46,200, typically around $40,744 (from 91 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.