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2012 Audi A8

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 A8.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S8)

Classified as a passenger car, the 2012 Audi A8 utilizes an Automatic (S8) transmission and an engine requiring 12.2 quarts of 5W-30 / 5W-40 API oil to achieve EPA estimates of 18/28/21 mpg. Reliability records for this specific year document 11 total owner complaints with the engine identified as the top complaint area, accompanied by a single recall. Positioned within a model complaint history covering 1995 through 2026, the 2012 variant sits well below the highest recorded year of 2013 with 49 complaints, marking it as a period of relatively lower owner-reported issues within the lineage.

Model year2019 2012 2011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity12.2 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 / 5W-40 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy18/28/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 49 · 850 CCA battery, OE oil filter 079103121BE. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 49 · 850 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	079103121BE alt 07C115562E
Engine air filter	4H0129620M
Fuel filter	4H0201511A
Spark plug	101905621B alt 079905620
Battery	000915089BD alt 000915089BE
Front wiper blades	4H1955425B alt 4H1955426B
Serpentine belt	079903137AA alt 07P145933B
Thermostat	079121119C alt 079121115BG
Cabin air filter	4H0819439

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	201.6 in
Overall width	76.8 in
Overall height	57.5 in
Wheelbase	117.7 in
Curb weight	4409 lb
Track (front / rear)	64.2 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	18 / 28 / 21 mpg
Drivetrain	All-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	100 cu ft
Cargo volume	15 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the A8 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.1–5.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.10 sec — 2012 L W12 Quattro Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2012	L W12 Quattro Sedan 6.3L W12	4.10 sec	12.60 sec	500 hp	AWD
2012	L 4.2 Quattro Sedan 4.2L V8	5.00 sec	13.60 sec	372 hp	AWD
2012	4.2 Quattro Sedan 4.2L V8	5.10 sec	13.70 sec	372 hp	AWD
2011	L 4.2 Quattro Sedan 4.2L V8	5.00 sec	13.60 sec	372 hp	AWD
2011	4.2 Quattro Sedan 4.2L V8	5.10 sec	13.70 sec	372 hp	AWD
2011	L 4.2 Quattro Sedan 4.2L V8	5.10 sec	13.80 sec	372 hp	AWD
2011	4.2 Quattro Sedan 4.2L V8	5.20 sec	13.70 sec	372 hp	AWD
2011	4.2 Quattro Sedan 4.2L V8	5.50 sec	13.90 sec	372 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 12.2 qt of 5W-30 / 5W-40 API engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.4 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-12-5-8-3-10-6-7-2-11-4-9.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	Audi part number G060162A2
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	4.2-4.9
Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.9 Pints
Engine Oil	5W-30 · 5W-40 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	12.2 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · 5W-40 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	8.1 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	Diagonally tighting 11 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.3 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.4 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	7.2

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

89 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-12-5-8-3-10-6-7-2-11-4-9
Spark Plug Torque	22.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	4.06-4.75 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	49
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	850 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	49
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	850 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	14.5 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	17-22 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188 °F
Pressure Test	14.5 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	20-23 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	207 °F
Engine Compression	145-203 PSI @ RPM. 44 maximum variation PSI.

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	26 USE NEW BOLTS ONLY ft-lbs
Brake Application	WITH 1LL, 1LM
Torque Caliper to Bracket	41 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	145 USE NEW BOLTS ONLY ft-lbs
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.181 in / 0.866 in / 1.417 in / 1.496 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.181 in / 0.866 in / 1.417 in / 1.496 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	1.102 in / 0.787 in / 1.339 in / 1.417 in
Brake Application	WITH 1LL, 1LM

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Torque to Knuckle — tightening sequence 1 stages

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

44 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45

44 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

hand tighten, step 2

15 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

install by hand, step 2

11 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 5,000 mi; spark plugs at 55,000 mi; coolant at 15,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 15,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 5,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Headlamp Washer Nozzle (inspect) · Headlamp Washer System (inspect fluid level) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Headlamp Washer Nozzle (inspect) · Headlamp Washer System (inspect fluid level) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect)
At 15,000 mi	Air Conditioning Evaporator Case Drain (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 20,000 mi	Air Conditioning Evaporator Case Drain (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
At 35,000 mi	Body Lock Cylinders (lubricate) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Hood Latch (lubricate) · Power Steering System (inspect fluid level)
Every 40,000 mi	Body Lock Cylinders (lubricate) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Hood Latch (lubricate) · Power Steering System (inspect fluid level)
At 55,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 75,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 Audi A8 marks a transitional point in its generation, with federal complaint data showing a noticeable uptick in issues beginning in 2013—where complaints surged to 49 from the 2012 total of 11—coinciding with a rise in recalls (6 in 2013 vs. 1 in 2012) and investigations (2 in 2013). Prior to 2012, complaints remained relatively low, averaging under 15 annually from 2005 onward, while recalls and investigations were minimal. The 2012 model’s complaint profile is modest, with no fire or crash-related incidents reported, and its top issues spread thinly across engine, steering, and electrical systems, none of which dominate the record. However, the sharp increase in complaints and recalls in subsequent years suggests potential latent or emerging problems not yet fully captured in the 2012 data. The 2012’s recall count (1) aligns with the pre-2013 norm, but its position just before a period of heightened scrutiny warrants caution. **Takeaway: The 2012 Audi A8 is a relatively safe bet within its generation, but buyers should prioritize a pre-purchase inspection to rule out early signs of the issues that became more pronounced in 2013 and beyond.**

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

1093

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11’12’13 ’14 ’15 ’20 ’21 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 11 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine2

Steering2

Electrical System,Air Bags,Unknown Or Other1

Fuel System, Gasoline,Engine1

Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System,Visibility/Wiper1

Fuel/Propulsion System1

Unknown Or Other1

Vehicle Speed Control1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V619000Engine And Engine Cooling:EngineReported 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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1093 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TSB_2074729_3	2026-06-23	Electrical System	This bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of…
TSB_2028902_5	2026-06-23	Power Train	This bulletin provides informaiton when the transmission warning message appears in the…
TSB_2028985_13	2026-06-23	Power Train	This bulleitn procides informaiton when tehre is a transmission warning mssage in the…
TSB_2059335_7	2026-06-23	Electrical System	This bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the…
TSB_2082046_1	2026-06-22	Power Train	This bulletin provides information when there is a strong jolt after engine automatically…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific A8. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 49 battery Vehicles taking 12.2 qt Engine oil filter 079103121BE Engine air filter 4H0129620M Fuel filter 4H0201511A Spark plug 101905621B

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 A8 take?

12.2 qt of 5W-30 OR 5W-40 API MEETING VW SPECIFICATION VW50200, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 A8 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the A8 get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 28 highway / 21 combined mpg.