2013 Audi S8 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (8) · Wheels (1) · Vehicle Speed Control (1)
Safety recalls (5)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/Supercharger 2022-03-23 · campaign 22V178000 · 26,093 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Worn bearings can cause the turbine wheel to contact the turbocharger housing or cause the shaft to break, causing an engine stall and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the oil strainer and perform an oil change, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 21H7.
Structure:body:hood 2020-07-07 · campaign 20V397000 · 12,964 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: If the seal contacts hot engine components, there could be an increased risk of a fire.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install a retaining plate to prevent the engine compartment seal from loosening. The recall began September 4, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 51G6.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings 2019-01-28 · campaign 19V057000 · 8,985 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Leaking fuel, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of fire.
Fix: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will install a fuel pressure damper, free of charge. The recall began February 21, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20BM.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings 2018-06-25 · campaign 18V430000 · 6,633 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line, free of charge. The recall began July 20, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AV.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2013-09-23 · campaign 13V448000 · 1,120 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Audi A8 and S8 vehicles equipped with a standard sunroof, manufactured March 12, 2013, through July 15, 2013. These vehicles are equipped with a standard sunroof glass panel that may shatter.
Risk: Should the sunroof's glass break while the vehicle is in use, the falling glass could injure the driver or passengers. It could also distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof glass panel, free of charge. The recall began on October 21, 2013. Owners may contact Audi of America at 1-800-822-2834. Volkwagen's number for this campaign is 60B6/1L.
Service bulletins (809)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2083409_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2052680_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
Steering 2026-09-22 · TSB_2074846_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · TSB_2030471_9 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.
Structure:body 2026-09-08 · TSB_2068999_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this tsb describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases.
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-26 · TSB_2074436_3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.
Showing the 6 most recent of 809 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-11-04 · Unknown Or Other“the windshield top gasket is not working and the glass can be easily pushed out an 1/8”. wind can be heard while driving and when it’s raining water runs through steady stream. i was under the impression that the windshield is an integral part of the cars structure. …”
2022-09-09 · Engine“the dealer doesn’t want to perform the recall due to branded title. they should though. please look into it …”
2022-02-08 · Engine“engine turbocharger experience catastrophic damage, engine stalled, power steering was disrupted.…”
2021-09-03 · Engine“the car was running rough for a couple weeks; hesitant to accelerate, failed to start multiple times and idled rough. one day i was coming home from my hour long commute, i put the car in reverse in my driveway and the car started bucking so badly that it became un-drivable. at this point we had to get the car towed on a flatbed an hour away to the…”
2021-07-10 · Engine“while driving on the main highway, my car engine shut off. i had dysfunctional brake and steering failure. brake was hardly working and i had to use all my strength to control steering. basically, while driving at 50mph, car engine shut off without warning and i lost steering and braking. i was able to pull off the road into a vacant parking lo…”
2021-07-06 · Engine“turbos failed, car stalled and will not start unless giving it gas. down on power and performance. check engine light came on …”
2021-06-04 · Unknown Or Other“sun roof exploded on mt audis8 2013. 6/03/2021.…”
2021-04-04 · Vehicle Speed Control · 58,000 mi“turbochargers failure due to clogged oil screen. had to replace both turbocharger with new units and replaced oil screen with updated version…”
2021-02-01 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 80,000 mi“while on the highway, i noticed that the car was not picking up appropriate speed when accelerating. there was no prior notice or engine lights or any abnormalities with the vehicle prior to this. i decided to pull off the highway at a rest area and as the car was slowed down around 15-20 mph, i lost total power of the vehicle and was unable to ste…”
2020-05-18 · Engine · 48,700 mi“both turbos on the engine were damaged to the point of replacement, causing the car to stall out at idle at a busy intersection putting me in danger of an accident. my car had less than 50,000 miles on it. *tr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.