The 2014 Audi S8 has 5 safety recalls and 6 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (2 complaints).
Recalls5safety recalls
Complaints6filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/supercharger
NHTSA recall 22V178000 · Mar 23, 2022 · 26,093 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Problem: 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
NHTSA recall 19V057000 · Jan 28, 2019 · 8,985 vehicles
Problem: 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
NHTSA recall 18V430000 · Jun 25, 2018 · 6,633 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Problem: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2014 Audi S8 4 DR AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
S8
18mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Engine
2
0
0
0
—
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/supercharger
2
0
1
0
—
Fuel/propulsion system
1
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
1
0
0
0
—
Visibility/wiper
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Mar 18, 2024 · 58,000 milesEngine and engine cooling 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.
Jan 13, 2023Visibility/wiper 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…
Apr 18, 2021 · 65,000 miles · fireEngine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/supercharger The contact owns a 2014 AUDI S8. The contact stated while driving 60MPH the vehicle began to vibrate violently from the engine compartment; the cabin filled up with smoke and the vehicle tailpipe began producing smoke. The contact was unable to pull over and manually moved the vehicle into the shoulder. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence, then the vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing turbo to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure and told the contact that they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Sep 17, 2020 · 58,900 milesUnknown or other FAULTY "OIL SCREEN" DESIGN HAS CAUSED TURBOS TO FAIL AND OTHER RELATED COMPONENTS. AUDI HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE ISSUE BECAUSE THERE WAS AN UPDATED SCREEN MADE TO REPLACE THE OLD DESIGN IN NEW CARS.
Jun 8, 2019 · 48,001 milesEngine I ALREADY FILED COMPLAINT 11218674. THIS IS ADDING DETAIL. AUDI HAS ISSUED TSB 2044640/5 (HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2018/MC-10153123-9999.PDF) TO ADDRESS THE DAMAGE WHEN THIS VERY KNOWN ISSUE OCCURS. THE PROBLEM IDENTIFIED IN THE TSB IS THAT ORIGINAL PARTS REQUIRE REPLACEMENT (OIL SCREEN AND CHECK VALUE). SIGNIFICANTLY, THE ORIGINAL OIL SCREEN HAS BEEN RE-DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. THIS ENGINE FAILURE CAN CREATE AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR ALL VEHICLE OCCUPANTS WHEN THIS PROBLEM ARISES. THERE IS NO WARNING FOR WHEN THIS ISSUE WILL MANIFEST. FOR SOME IT HAPPENS AT SPEED ON FREEWAYS. FOR OTHERS IT HAPPENS IN INTERSECTIONS. DUE TO ZERO WARNING TO…
Jun 7, 2019 · 48,000 milesEngine TURBOCHARGERS CAN FAILURE WITH NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING WHICH IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA22001 · opened Apr 4, 2022 · closed May 26, 2023Engine Stall - Turbo Failure 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 to the engine stalling was the failure of the turbochargers. The complaints cited the turbocharger failure was a result of oil starvation due to a clogged oil strainer in the turbocharger oil supply line.The location of the oil strainer in the turbocharger oil supply line is in the inner valley of the engine. It is not easily accessible, making servicing the component difficult. The oil strainer…
PE21009 · opened Mar 29, 2021 · closed May 27, 2022 · led to recall 22V178000Engine Stall - Turbo Failure 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 major contributing factor to the engine stalling is the failure of the turbochargers. The complaints further allege the turbocharger failure is a result of oil starvation due to a clogged oil strainer.The location of the oil strainer in the turbocharger oil supply line is in the inner valley of the engine. It is not easily accessible, making regular service difficult. The oil strainer removes…