2015 Audi A8 — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
Sedan

2015 Audi A8

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $64,897–$82,569
Fuel Economy 15 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category Sedan
Est. Annual Fuel $3,500/yr
The 2015 Audi A8 scores 6.8/10 at Carivo, ranking #1169 of 1310 sedans, with 5 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $3,500/year fuel cost.

Key Specifications — 2015 Audi A8

Engine4.0L 8-Cylinder
TransmissionAutomatic (S8)
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Fuel TypePremium
City / Hwy MPG18 / 30 MPG
Combined MPG22 MPG
Est. Annual Fuel Cost$3,400
CO₂ Emissions401 g/mi
Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSedan
Base Price$64,897–$82,569

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2015 Audi A8

The 2015 Audi A8 is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 6.8/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Technology at 8.7/10, while Value at 6.8/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.9/10 for reliability, this sedan trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 7.3/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

With 7.7/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. On technology it rates 8.7/10: a modern, well-integrated suite that compares favorably with anything at this price point.

Priced from $64,897–$82,569, 15 MPG, seating 5, the Audi A8 sits in the premium tier of the sedan category. The value score of 6.8/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 11 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Verdict: The 2015 Audi A8 sits in the middle of the field. Until its reliability and value scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among Sedans

The 2015 Audi A8 ranks #1169 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 11% of the segment. Its 6.8/10 overall score is 0.7 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $64,897 starting price is about 135% above the segment's median of $27,664.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →

5-Year Cost Snapshot — 2015 Audi A8

Fuel (75,000 miles)~$17,500 ($3,500/year at $3.50/gal)
Recall repairs$0 — 5 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
InsuranceVaries widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying

We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.

Which A8 Year Should You Buy?

Across the A8 model years we've scored, the 2015 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2026 7.4/10$91,567 Read review →
2025 7.4/10$91,567 Read review →
2024 7.3/10$88,900 Read review →
2023 7.2/10$86,233 Read review →
2022 7.1/10$83,566 Read review →
2021 7.2/10$80,899 Read review →
2020 7.0/10$78,232 Read review →
2019 7.1/10$75,565 Read review →
2018 7.0/10$72,898 Read review →
2017 6.9/10$70,231 Read review →
2016 6.9/10$67,564 Read review →
2015 (this review) 6.8/10$64,897

Pros & Cons — 2015 Audi A8

✓ What it does well

  • Competent performance that satisfies most everyday driving demands
  • Best-in-class infotainment, driver assistance, and connectivity features

✗ Where it falls short

  • Reliability scores are mid-pack; some owners report higher-than-expected maintenance needs
  • Fuel economy at 15 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly
  • Premium price bracket — make sure the score justifies the outlay vs. segment alternatives

NHTSA Recalls — 2015 Audi A8 (5 on record)

The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.

Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
25/06/2018 · 18V430000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Audi S8 and A8 vehicles. The fuel supply line for the high pressure fuel pump may become porous over time, resulting in a fuel leak.
Fuel system, gasoline / Fuel injection system / Fuel rail
16/01/2019 · 19V035000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Q7, A6 and A7 vehicles, and 2015-2018 Audi A8 vehicles. The left and right fuel rails may leak fuel.
Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
28/01/2019 · 19V057000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A8 and S8 vehicles. The fuel supply line for the high pressure fuel pump may become porous and leak fuel.
Structure / Body / Hood
07/07/2020 · 20V397000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Audi S8 and A8 vehicles. The seal around the engine compartment may come loose and contact hot engine components.
Engine and engine cooling / Engine / Gasoline / Turbo/supercharger
23/03/2022 · 22V178000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2013-2017 A8, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, and 2014-2017 RS7 vehicles. The turbocharger oil supply strainer can become blocked, causing wear to the bearings due to lack of lubrication.

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

Own a 2015 Audi A8 that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →

Common Questions — 2015 Audi A8

Is the 2015 Audi A8 reliable?

We rate the 2015 Audi A8's reliability 6.9/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).

How many recalls does the 2015 Audi A8 have?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2015 Audi A8 worth buying?

It scores 6.8/10 overall, ranking #1169 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 11% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.

How much does the 2015 Audi A8 cost?

The 2015 Audi A8 starts at $64,897 and ranges up to $82,569 across trims (MSRP when new). At 15 MPG, expect roughly $3,500/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

Which A8 years should you avoid?

Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest A8 years we've rated are 2015 (6.8/10), 2017 (6.9/10), 2016 (6.9/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (7.4/10). See the full year table above before deciding.

What problems does the 2015 Audi A8 have?

The documented issues for the 2015 Audi A8 are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Fuel system, gasoline, Structure, Engine and engine cooling (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.

Owner Essentials — Audi A8

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

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