2013 Audi S8 problems, complaints & recalls

2013 Audi S8 recalls (5)

• Recall 22V178000Mar 23, 202226,093 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 20V397000Jul 7, 202012,964 vehicles
  STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 19V057000Jan 28, 20198,985 vehicles
  FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 18V430000Jun 25, 20186,633 vehicles
  FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

  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.

  Remedy: 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 13V448000Sep 23, 20131,120 vehicles
  VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

NHTSA defect investigations

• EA22001Opened Apr 4, 2022Closed May 26, 2023

  Engine 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 fa…

• PE21009Opened Mar 29, 2021Closed May 27, 2022led to recall 22V178000

  Engine 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…

Recent 2013 Audi S8 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Nov 4, 2022WIOther / Unknown

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11492315 · source
2. Filed Sep 3, 2021MAEngine

   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 nearest dealership and this is when we discovered that the turbos had gone bad. There was no check engine light or any…

   NHTSA complaint #11431661 · source
3. Filed Jul 10, 2021GAEngine

   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 lot and car came to a stop. Fortunately, no cars were around at the time. Otherwise, i along with my family would have been involved in…

   NHTSA complaint #11424203 · source
4. Filed Jul 6, 2021MOEngine

   Turbos failed, car stalled and will not start unless giving it gas. Down on power and performance. Check engine light came on

   NHTSA complaint #11423603 · source
5. Filed Apr 4, 202158,000 miCTEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   Turbochargers failure due to clogged oil screen. Had to replace both turbocharger with new units and replaced oil screen with updated version

   NHTSA complaint #11406287 · source
6. Filed Feb 1, 202180,000 miMIEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   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 steer or use the brakes. Luckily the car was able to coast to a stop without injury but was extremely frightening with my family in…

   NHTSA complaint #11391037 · source
7. Filed May 18, 202048,700 miMAEngine

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11325065 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology