The 2015 Audi S8 has 4 safety recalls and 6 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (5 complaints).
Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints6filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported 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.
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
2015 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
20mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/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
5
0
0
0
50,400 mi
Power train
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
Jan 10, 2024Power train 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 catastrophic
Aug 1, 2022 · 116,000 milesEngine 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…
Jan 1, 2022Engine 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.
Feb 27, 2021 · 50,800 milesEngine WAS DRIVING ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON DOWN A BUSY STREET WHEN MY CAR STARTED SPUTTERING AND HAD VERY REDUCED POWER. I WAS ABLE TO EVENTUALLY GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. TRIED STARTING THE CAR AFTER A RESTING PERIOD AND CAR WOULD NOT START. LET IT SIT LONGER AND FINALLY GOT IT TO START BUT CAR HAD VERY LITTLE POWER WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS , BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET TO MY LOCAL AUDI DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. ($190.00 + TAX). I INFORMED THE TECHNICIAN OF THE ISSUES I SAW AND ALSO THAT I HEARD A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT BOTH TURBOS HAD SIGNIFICANT "PLAY" IN THEM AND THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECH SAID THAT THIS IS CAUSED BY AN OIL SCREEN…
Apr 8, 2019 · 43,750 milesEngine ONLY 43,750 MILES AND THE ENGINE IS BEING COMPLETELY REBUILT. NEW CAM ADJUSTERS, NEW TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS, NEW TIMING CHAIN GUIDES... THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN ON A CAR WITH SUCH FEW MILES.
May 2, 2018 · 50,000 milesEngine I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STARTED TO SHUDDER AND LOSE POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO FLASH AND THE ENGINE STALLED. I WAS STOPPED IN A BUSY HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR. I EVENTUALLY GOT THE CAR TO A SAFE LOCATION AND PULLED THE TURBO AIR INTAKE TO INSPECT THE TURBO WITH A BORESCOPE. THE BANK 1 TURBO HAD DAMAGED ITSELF. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ON A CAR WITH ONLY 50,000 MILES.
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…