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Audi · Luxury · 2017–2024

Audi A8 D5

Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice

★★★★★
2.8 / 5.0 · Based on 10 engine variants
Most Fun Engine

571 PS

4.0L TFSI V8 BiTurbo Benzin

571 hp luxury sedan — perfectly insulated, almost too perfect

Fun to Drive!
Problem Engine

239–262 PS

3.0L TDI V6 Diesel

6 weaknesses

Stay Away!

Generations

Engine Overview

The Audi A8 D5 is available with 6 engine variants — from 239 to 571 hp.

3.0L TFSI V6 · Benziner Mild-Hybrid· 340 PS
2017 2024
Be Careful 7 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
4.0L TFSI V8 · Benziner Mild-Hybrid· 460 PS
2017 2024
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
S8 · Benziner Mild-Hybrid· 571 PS
2019 2024
Be Careful 9 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
60 TFSI e · Benziner Plug-in-Hybrid· 462 PS
2019 2024
Be Careful 9 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
60 TFSI e L · Benziner Plug-in-Hybrid· 462 PS
2019 2024
Be Careful 9 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
3.0L TDI V6 · Diesel Mild-Hybrid· 286 PS
2017 2024
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →

The Audi 3.0L TFSI V6 (Benziner Mild-Hybrid, 340 PS) has the DLZA (3.0L TFSI V6) — rated: "Be Careful", 7 known weaknesses.

The Audi 4.0L TFSI V8 (Benziner Mild-Hybrid, 460 PS) has the DDTA (4.0L TFSI V8) — rated: "Be Careful", 5 known weaknesses.

The Audi S8 (Benziner Mild-Hybrid, 571 PS) has the DHRA (4.0L TFSI V8 BiTurbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 9 known weaknesses.

The Audi 60 TFSI e (Benziner Plug-in-Hybrid, 462 PS) has the CZSE (3.0L TFSI e V6) — rated: "Be Careful", 9 known weaknesses.

The Audi 60 TFSI e L (Benziner Plug-in-Hybrid, 462 PS) has the CZSE (3.0L TFSI e V6) — rated: "Be Careful", 9 known weaknesses.

The Audi 3.0L TDI V6 (Diesel Mild-Hybrid, 286 PS) has the DTHA (3.0L TDI V6) — rated: "Be Careful", 5 known weaknesses.

Vehicle Weaknesses

WeaknessCost
!Air Suspension — Compressor and Bellows

The adaptive air suspension on the A8 D5 shows weaknesses from 100,000–150,000 km: rear air bellows become porous, the compressor overheats from continuous running when bellows leak. Cold temperatures worsen the sealing of the rubber membranes.

Symptoms: Vehicle sags overnight, fault message on instrument cluster, compressor runs unusually often and for long periods.
from 120,000 km
Ad air spring Audi A8 D5 4Nair suspension supercharger 4N0616007air spring bag rear axle A8 4N
 High
NHTSA Owner Complaints
Above Average
7 complaints · 2017–2024
Electrical
3
Powertrain
3
Engine
2
Other
1
Fuel System
1

Top Reported Issues

⚠ Electrical (3 complaints)
⚠ Powertrain (3 complaints)
⚠ Engine (2 complaints)
Source: NHTSA (nhtsa.gov) · 2026-03

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Known Problems and Issues

A total of 71 weaknesses have been documented for the Audi A8 D5 (2017–2024) — 65 engine-related and 6 vehicle-related. One problem engine: CASB (3.0L TDI V6). Typical issues affect Suspension, Electronics, Other, Interior.

A8 (CASB, 2010–2018) — Stay Away!: Complex Four-Chain Drive Stretched, Ring Land Fracture — High-Pressure Piston Failure, Swirl Flap Screw Comes Loose — Engine Damage. Power: 258–262 PS.

A8 (CDLA, 2010–2018) — Be Careful: Timing chain wear V8 TDI (A8/Q7), Twin turbo failure and actuator defect, Injector failure. Power: 351 PS.

A8 (CTGA-W12, 2010–2018) — Be Careful: Catalytic Converter and Lambda Sensor Failure, Complex Cooling System, Overheating Risk, Ignition Coil Failures. Power: 500 PS.

A8 (CDRA, 2010–2018) — Be Careful: Timing Chain — Complex Clockwork with Expensive Repairs, Camshaft Adjusters — Oil-Sensitive in the Large V8, Elevated Oil Consumption — Often Noticed Late in the Luxury A8. Power: 371 PS.

A8 (CEUB, 2012–2018) — Be Careful: Turbocharger Failure from Blocked Oil Strainer, Camshaft Wear in the V8 TFSI, Timing Chain Wear. Power: 435 PS.

A8 (DLZA, 2017–2024) — Be Careful: Water Pump Internal Failure with Coolant in Vacuum System, Rocker Arm Roller Failure — Early Production, 48V Mild Hybrid Belt Starter-Generator Failure. Power: 340 PS.

A8 (DDTA, 2017–2024) — Be Careful: Recall 21H7 — Turbo Oil Strainer Clogged (D5), Twin Turbo Damage — 4.0 V8, Camshaft Scuffing. Power: 460 PS.

A8 (DHRA, 2019–2024) — Be Careful: Oil Strainer Clogging Leads to Turbocharger Damage, Charge Air Hoses Leaking, High-Pressure Pump Wear. Power: 571 PS.

A8 (CZSE, 2019–2025) — Be Careful: Water pump failure — EA839 (A8), Recall 93QQ — high-voltage battery fire risk (A8), Hybrid transmission failure — V6 A8. Power: 340 PS.

A8 (DTHA, 2017–2024) — Be Careful: Timing chain rattles on cold start, Camshaft fracture — material defect, AdBlue system: pump and injector failure. Power: 286 PS.

What to watch out for with the Audi A8? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What problems and weaknesses does the Audi A8 D5 have? +
The Audi A8 D5 has 65 known engine weaknesses and 6 vehicle weaknesses.
What should I look for when buying a used Audi A8 D5? +
faq.watch_a_avoid
Which engine is recommended? +
Be careful: DLZA (3.0L TFSI V6), DTHA (3.0L TDI V6), DDTA (4.0L TFSI V8), DHRA (4.0L TFSI V8 BiTurbo), CTGA-W12 (6.3L W12), CDRA (4.2L FSI V8), CEUB (4.0L TFSI V8), CDLA (4.2L TDI V8), CZSE (3.0L TFSI e V6). No engine is rated 'Good Choice'. The most fun to drive is the DHRA (4.0L TFSI V8 BiTurbo). Problem engine: CASB (3.0L TDI V6) — stay away!
Which Audi A8 D5 engine is the most fun? +
The {code} ({displacement}) offers the most driving fun in the Audi A8 D5 — rated: "Fun to Drive!". {description} Twin-turbo V8 with 48V, predictive suspension that reads the road ahead. Absurdly fast yet so quiet that speed feels unreal. Autocar: 'V8 lends bucketfuls of soul'. But that very isolation is the problem — the 571 hp are barely felt. A technical masterpiece that forgets to be an experience.
Is the Audi A8 D5 worth buying used? +
Caution is advised with the Audi A8 D5 — 1 of 10 engine variants are rated 'Stay Away!'. The engine choice is crucial.
What horsepower variants are available for the Audi A8 D5? +
The Audi A8 D5 is available with engine variants from 239 to 571 hp. Petrol: DLZA (3.0L TFSI V6), DDTA (4.0L TFSI V8), DHRA (4.0L TFSI V8 BiTurbo), CTGA-W12 (6.3L W12), CDRA (4.2L FSI V8), CEUB (4.0L TFSI V8), CZSE (3.0L TFSI e V6). Diesel: DTHA (3.0L TDI V6), CASB (3.0L TDI V6), CDLA (4.2L TDI V8).

Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee