What Audi S8 owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Audi S8 safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 153 |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 495 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 743 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 858 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 894 |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,133 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 995 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 187 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 344 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 413 |
| 2016 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 635 |
| 2015 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 682 |
| 2014 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 649 |
| 2013 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 803 |
| 2012 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 180 |
| 2011 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 160 |
| 2010 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 109 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Audi S8 complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
Water Pump and thermostat has a faulty design that causes coolant to leak either around the O Ring and/or the elbow. I am in my third water pump and thermostat with only 69,000 miles on the vehicle. Issue appears to be common on the EA824 (4.0 twin turbo) engine with hundreds of reports from the complete range of EA824 equipped vehicles (S8, RS7, S6, S7, A8 etc). Average mileage of those reported are 65k miles or so. Hundreds of similar issues are reported via various Audi forums and social media groups. Poses a fire risk since coolant leaks all over the front of the engine. Poses another safety risk if the engine seizes due to overheating while in motion. Either would be catastro…
The contact owns a 2014 Audi S8. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the low oil warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. Upon visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed that the engine oil level was abnormally low, prompting him to add oil to the engine. However, afterwards the contact stated that the low oil warning light illuminated again, after which there was a burning odor inside the vehicle, and the vehicle lost significant motive power. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Audi S8. The contact stated he was unable to start the vehicle. The contact stated that the Electronic Power Control (EPC) warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to start the vehicle, but the vehicle was shaking while driving. The contact also stated the vehicle had stalled. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the oxygen sensor and oil pressure switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicle back to an independent mechanic and was referred to a local dealer. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehic…
During our recent rains i discovered water dripping on me from the center overhead console at the top of the windshield. This totally distracted me while driving as I was shocked by it's sudden occurrence. The next day, I suspected sunroof drains and proceeded to chase a flexible line thru them in the front drains and tested with water, it drained fine and no evidence of dripping inside. Went out driving in the rain and discovered the leaking occurring again along the top of headliner/windshield junction at the passenger pillar and again in the center overhead console. Once again distracted to catch the leaks. A Safety concern! I heard wind-noise which changed in tone as I pressed against th…
When started up on 11/17/22, multiple warning lights came on in rapid sequence advising of an electrical system & battery malfunction. Warning was to not drive the vehicle and contact service. I shut off the vehicle and re-started it. The same warnings were displayed. I was about 0.8 mile from the dealer so I attempted to drive it to their location. On the way, the warnings continued to show. After about 0.6 miles, the transmission fully disengaged from the engine. I coasted to the side of the street, shut off the vehicle, re-started it (same warnings showed) but the transmission was reset and worked. I drove to the dealership where my Audi mechanic knew exactly what the issue is--there is a…
The windshield top gasket is not working and the glass can be easily pushed out an 1/8â. Wind can be heard while driving and when itâs raining water runs through steady stream. I was under the impression that the windshield is an integral part of the cars structure.
The dealer doesnât want to perform the recall due to branded title. They should though. Please look into it
Turbo failure and positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) failure. Whining noise from PCV and smoke out the tail pipes with no power. Had to pay out of pocket to remedy issues.
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
This bulletin provides general information about the current tpp issues for Audi connect.
This bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.
This bulletin provides informaitn when there is a warning messsage; "Instrument cluster: fault. Limited warning messages. Please contact workshop"; DTC B200096.
A particularly noticeable factor is the vibration of the air column in a tire. When a tire starts to vibrate because of the road contact, this can lead to cavity resonances inside the tire that are transmitted via the wheel rim and the running gear to the vehicle interior. Because of the vehicle design and due to the specific properties of different wheel and tire combinations, a whining noise can occur at high speeds. This is a result of toroidal resonance whose frequency is noticeable between 180 - 250 Hz irrespective of the vehicle speed.
This bulletin provides information when there are cracks on the friction ring surface on ceramic brake discs.
This bulletin provides information when there is a wheel/tire imbalance.
This bulletin provides information for all models regarding brake sounds.
This bulletin provides information on the zirconium insercts in the brake piston (ceramic brakes only).
This TSB describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases.
This bulletin provides information when there is corrosion on the friction survace of steel brake discs.
This bulletin provides information when there is an issue with wireless charging/wireless charging is not working.
This bulletin provides service infomraiton regardin gthe identifaction of noises with dynamic steering.
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opens these when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Many end in a recall.
On March 29, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE 21-009) after the agency received 58 reports alleging engine stalling in 2013-2016MY Audi vehicle models A8, S6, S7, S8 & RS7 equipped with the 4.0L, twin-turbocharged engine. Complainants reported the vehicles would stall with no warning while driving at highway or city traffic speeds. Several of the complainants alleged an inability to restart. The complaints alleged the major contributing factor t
On March 29, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 21-009 after the agency received 58 reports alleging engine stalling in 2013-2016MY Audi vehicle models A8, S6, S7, S8 & RS7. The subject vehicles are equipped with 4.0L, twin-turbocharged engine. Complainants reported that the vehicles stall suddenly with no warning while driving on the highway or in city traffic. Several of the complainants alleged an inability to restart. The complaints allege the
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2010–2027, owners most often name: engine, power train, unknown or other. 32 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.
