From a young age, I’ve been captivated by cars, particularly those that blend speed with sophistication. This passion led me to purchase a 2020 A8L, an Audi flagship sedan that promised refined power and luxurious comfort. Boasting a twin-turbo 4.0L V8 engine producing over 450 horsepower, coupled with features like four-wheel steering, massaging seats, and a spacious, opulent interior, the A8 seemed like the pinnacle of automotive excellence. As my third Audi and the most expensive one yet, I anticipated a sublime driving experience. The S8, the performance variant of the A8 Audi, was even on my radar for the future.
The day I drove my new A8 Audi home was filled with elation. I had meticulously planned the finances, ensuring every dollar was accounted for. After months of searching, I finally located the perfect car at Audi of Gulf Coast in Alabama. The dealership’s enthusiasm seemed to match mine; I was even labeled a “Hot Lead” – twice!
Driven by excitement, I embarked on a road trip in my trusty Audi A6, heading south through Houston and eastward. The purchase process was seamless, the car exactly as advertised. My initial plan to overnight in Alabama was disrupted by a severe hail storm forecast. I immediately started the journey back west, aiming to outrun the storm and protect my new A8 Audi.
Despite an ominous start – picking up a nail on the drive home and a week-long wait for a replacement tire blamed on COVID-related supply chain issues – the car initially lived up to its promise. The Sport Plus Package, with rear axle steering and road-reading suspension, delivered an exceptional ride. For about a year, ownership was blissful.
The Onset of Electrical Gremlins in my Audi A8
In June 2022, the honeymoon phase abruptly ended as electrical issues began to surface in my A8 Audi.
The first sign was a malfunctioning garage door opener, which only worked when practically touching the garage door. My previous A6 and my wife’s car had no such issues, operating from the street. Multiple visits to the Audi dealership failed to resolve this. Frustrated, I invested $1,600 in a new garage door opener, which temporarily improved things before also faltering. Eventually, I resorted to a visor-clipped LiftMaster opener – a far cry from luxury car convenience. Around the same time, the power steering motor failed, requiring a “reset” at yet another dealership visit.
This marked my introduction to what I began to call “General Electrical” problems, a far less welcome companion than any capable captain.
Engine Overheating Issues Plague the Audi A8
Things took a serious turn for the worse after just two years and under 20,000 miles. Unbelievably for an Audi, the engine began to overheat. A warning message appeared, indicating overheating and the need for service. Being close to the dealership, I drove it in immediately. Even the service advisor was surprised. After a cursory look under the hood, I was told it was likely a fluke and sent on my way – a decision I would soon regret.
The very next day, in late May, the A8 Audi overheated again, this time with a more urgent warning. It advised I could continue driving but service was required, simultaneously disabling the air conditioning and blowing hot air into the cabin. In 108-degree Texas heat, with my young daughter in the car, I managed to pull over as the engine temperature soared. My daughter was understandably frightened. Audi roadside assistance was called, and my wife had to come and rescue us, while the car was towed back to the shop.
Another week or two passed before the car was returned. However, just five days later, the overheating recurred, again with my daughter in the car, and in even hotter weather. This time, the warning was stark: pull over immediately or risk engine damage. Audi roadside assistance quoted a multi-day wait for pickup, leaving us stranded once more. My wife again had to come to our rescue.
Adding insult to injury, the dealership also discovered a malfunctioning left front strut during this repair. While they claimed to have fixed it, this same strut would become a recurring issue.
This round of repairs stretched on, encompassing the 4th of July and extending through a 20+ day European vacation.
Door Seal Damage and the Relentless Return of “General Electrical”
After international communication with the dealer, they agreed to deliver the repaired A8 Audi just before my return from Europe. Screenshots were sent as proof of work being done.
By this point, I was on a first-name basis with the service manager.
However, upon arriving home, I discovered a new problem: a broken door seal, causing the door to misalign.
The manager apologized, promising to fix it, but the part was backordered, adding to the endless wait. (As of December 23rd, the door seal remained unfixed).
Just three days after getting the car back, “General Electrical” returned for more torment. A seemingly minor “subsystem malfunction” warning appeared. I initially dismissed it as a sensor issue, hoping for a simple fix.
The service manager, however, was clearly concerned, especially since the sensors had supposedly just been realigned.
The Cascade of Warnings and Air Suspension Failure in my Audi A8
Then, three days later, all electronic hell broke loose. A barrage of warnings flashed across the A8 Audi‘s dashboard:
The air conditioning failed, and the air suspension deflated, turning my luxury sedan into a bouncing lowrider.
Another call to the dealer, another description of “everything is wrong,” and another trip to the service department.
Loaner cars, invariably with broken Bluetooth, became a recurring annoyance. After another “fix,” I picked up my car on September 5th, hoping for a lasting resolution. But, the very same day, the warnings reappeared.
Restarting the car temporarily cleared the warnings, but two days later, a truly frightening incident occurred. A “broken proximity sensor” warning preceded a terrifying event.
The malfunctioning sensors hallucinated imminent collisions, causing the A8 Audi to emergency brake violently and tighten the seatbelts aggressively. At low speeds, it was jarring; at highway speeds, it could be lethal. The car went straight back to the dealership.
After repositioning and realigning the sensors, the car was returned on September 22nd. But, predictably, “General Electrical” and his friends were back the very next day.
By this point, a buyback request with Audi was already underway. It was clear Audi couldn’t fix the car, and the ongoing issues were severely impacting my family’s life. Reliability is paramount, especially with demanding work hours.
The A8 Audi returned sometime in early November, only for the familiar warnings to reappear within days.
Another week in the shop, another temporary “fix.” Then, new problems emerged:
And, to add to the chaos, the electromechanical parking brake failed.
As December 2023 approached, the A8 Audi was back in the shop for:
- Recurring coolant/ammonia smell from AC
- Persistent “General Electrical” failures
- Parking brake malfunction
- Unfixed driver’s side door seal
- Broken automatic cruise control
- Knocking front suspension (left strut again)
- Jammed rear cupholder (again)
From around May to late December, Audi had possessed my car more than I had.
The Disappointing Audi Buyback Process
Driven to the edge, I initiated a buyback request with Audi of America. Given the litany of unresolved issues, I expected a straightforward process.
Googling “audi buy back” and “audi lemon law” led to a deluge of lawyer ads, but no clear guidance on initiating a buyback. A call to Audi of America on September 25th connected me with Destiny, a brand support manager. She was pleasant, listened to my complaints, and opened a case.
Despite expecting a quick resolution, I was warned the process could take up to 45 days and involve extensive paperwork: repair orders, loaner agreements, payment history, purchase agreement, registration, and license. Organized as I am, gathering these documents was merely an annoyance, except for the elusive Purchase Agreement, which the unresponsive original Audi dealer made difficult to obtain (eventually found in my emails).
After 47 days, a follow-up call on November 15th to Audi of America revealed the “45 days” meant “45 business days,” with an answer promised by December 6th. December 6th passed silently.
On December 7th, another call connected me with Sammy, another brand support manager. Expressing my profound disappointment, I was met with defensiveness. After some pushback, Sammy conceded the wait was excessive and promised “leadership involvement” within 5 business days.
Hours later, an email arrived from “Steve Z” with a settlement offer.
A paltry $5,000 offer felt insulting after months of trouble, countless dealership visits, subpar loaner cars, and constant anxiety about the A8 Audi‘s reliability. I requested a call from Steve to discuss the offer.
Steve called a few days later, sounding dismissive and questioning the need for a call. Upon hearing my description of the offer as “insulting,” he became defensive and raised his voice, stating, “well, sir, we don’t mean to offend anyone.” He mentioned a Thursday review meeting and promised a follow-up, which never materialized.
Final Thoughts on a Disappointing Audi A8 Experience
In the spirit of 2023, I used ChatGPT to visualize “General Electrical,” the personification of my A8 Audi‘s woes. The result was disturbingly accurate.
My expectations for the A8 Audi and Audi of America were profoundly unmet. The inability to repair the vehicle, the disregard for customer experience, and the hollow buyback process were stark realities. Audi’s “truth in engineering” slogan, tarnished by Dieselgate, felt like a distant memory.
Sharing this experience stems from frustration and a desire to inform other potential luxury car buyers. Brand image doesn’t always reflect product quality. I pledged to update if Audi of America responded, and until then, I was left navigating life in a loaner Q5 or grappling with “General Electrical.”
Update – December 27th: A Partial Resolution
Within days of sharing my story, it garnered significant attention online.
Improved Buyback Offer from Audi
Steve Z responded with an increased buyback offer of $8,000. While a step in the right direction, it still fell short of full compensation, especially considering the diminished value of the vehicle. Trade-in evaluations confirmed a significant loss, particularly from dealers aware of the car’s service history.
Lemon Law and State Complaint
Realizing the limitations of Audi’s direct buyback process, I investigated Texas Lemon Laws. Discovering that filing a state complaint by October would have provided stronger protection was frustrating. Audi’s drawn-out 79-day response effectively bypassed this timeframe.
Responding to Steve Z, I rejected the revised offer, emphasizing the car’s continued presence in the shop and unresolved issues. Subsequently, I filed a Lemon Law complaint with the Texas DMV, providing the documented history of problems. A representative from the state contacted me, explaining the Lemon Law process. For new vehicles under 2 years and 24,000 miles, the state can compel manufacturers to replace vehicles. While used cars, including CPOs, have different provisions focusing on repair enforcement under the original warranty. State involvement often prompts manufacturers to escalate issue resolution, sometimes involving engineers or even vehicle replacement.
Resolution: Selling the Audi A8 and Moving On
Shortly after filing the state complaint, the dealer called, claiming the A8 Audi was finally “fixed.” The service manager offered to test drive it extensively, but my response was clear: “Wrap it up, I’m selling it today.” And I did.
The state complaint was closed upon the sale of the vehicle. A new Mercedes now occupies my garage, offering superior comfort, performance, and, most importantly, reliability. The relief is immense. Hopefully, this new car will last significantly longer than 20,000 miles.
Thank you for following this saga. With over 16,000 views across my posts, I hope this account serves as a cautionary tale and informs others about potential luxury car ownership pitfalls and navigating customer service challenges.
