2016 Audi S8

Routine

Owners filed 6 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes2
000
Unknown or Other1
000
Suspension1
000
Power Train1
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc)1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/Supercharger22V178000
Filed Mar 23, 202226,093 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

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.

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.

Structure › Body › Hood20V397000
Filed Jul 7, 202012,964 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

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.

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.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings19V057000
Filed Jan 28, 20198,985 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

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.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed Nov 24, 201937,500 milesVA

I STARTED THE CAR LAST FRIDAY, 11/15/2019 AND GOT A BUNCH OF SYSTEM ERRORS POPPING UP ONE RIGHT AFTER THE OTHER. I DROVE THE CAR TO GET TO A SAFE PARKING SPOT AND NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL TOTALLY OFF CENTER ABOUT 70 DEGREES COUNTER CLOCKWISE. I AM NOT SURE IF THE TWO (ACCIDENT/CALIBRATION AND THE FAULTS) CONNECTED OR IF THIS IS JUST A COINCIDENCE. I DID NOT TAKE ANY NOTES OF THE FAULTS AT THAT TIME BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE MY PHONE OR ANYTHING TO WRITE WITH. NOW, TODAY, I STARTED TO DRIVE HOME FROM WORK AND WAS DOING ABOUT 60 MPH AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. IT WAS SCARY AS HELL HAVING THE STEERING WHEEL GO COMPLETELY OFF CENTER AND HAVE THE SUSPENSION HARD AS A ROCK. HOWEVER, THIS TIME I DID DRIVE TO A SAFE PLACE AND VIDEO TAPED THE FAULTS. THE ACTUAL FAULT IS: STEERING: SYSTEM FAULT YOU CAN CONTINUE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 11/15/2019, 11/18/2019, AND 11/23/2019. FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED SOON AFTER I STARTED THE CAR. THE SECOND HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ON THE PARKWAY TRAVELING 60 MPH. THE THIRD HAPPENED RIGHT OFF THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING ABOUT 25 MPH.

Power Train
Filed Nov 24, 201937,500 milesVA

I STARTED THE CAR LAST FRIDAY, 11/15/2019 AND GOT A BUNCH OF SYSTEM ERRORS POPPING UP ONE RIGHT AFTER THE OTHER. I DROVE THE CAR TO GET TO A SAFE PARKING SPOT AND NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL TOTALLY OFF CENTER ABOUT 70 DEGREES COUNTER CLOCKWISE. I AM NOT SURE IF THE TWO (ACCIDENT/CALIBRATION AND THE FAULTS) CONNECTED OR IF THIS IS JUST A COINCIDENCE. I DID NOT TAKE ANY NOTES OF THE FAULTS AT THAT TIME BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE MY PHONE OR ANYTHING TO WRITE WITH. NOW, TODAY, I STARTED TO DRIVE HOME FROM WORK AND WAS DOING ABOUT 60 MPH AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. IT WAS SCARY AS HELL HAVING THE STEERING WHEEL GO COMPLETELY OFF CENTER AND HAVE THE SUSPENSION HARD AS A ROCK. HOWEVER, THIS TIME I DID DRIVE TO A SAFE PLACE AND VIDEO TAPED THE FAULTS. THE ACTUAL FAULT IS: SPORT DIFFERENTIAL: SYSTEM FAULT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 11/15/2019, 11/18/2019, AND 11/23/2019. FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED SOON AFTER I STARTED THE CAR. THE SECOND HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ON THE PARKWAY TRAVELING 60 MPH. THE THIRD HAPPENED RIGHT OFF THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING ABOUT 25 MPH.

Suspension
Filed Nov 24, 201937,500 milesVA

I STARTED THE CAR LAST FRIDAY, 11/15/2019 AND GOT A BUNCH OF SYSTEM ERRORS POPPING UP ONE RIGHT AFTER THE OTHER. I DROVE THE CAR TO GET TO A SAFE PARKING SPOT AND NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL TOTALLY OFF CENTER ABOUT 70 DEGREES COUNTER CLOCKWISE. I AM NOT SURE IF THE TWO (ACCIDENT/CALIBRATION AND THE FAULTS) CONNECTED OR IF THIS IS JUST A COINCIDENCE. I DID NOT TAKE ANY NOTES OF THE FAULTS AT THAT TIME BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE MY PHONE OR ANYTHING TO WRITE WITH. NOW, TODAY, I STARTED TO DRIVE HOME FROM WORK AND WAS DOING ABOUT 60 MPH AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. IT WAS SCARY AS HELL HAVING THE STEERING WHEEL GO COMPLETELY OFF CENTER AND HAVE THE SUSPENSION HARD AS A ROCK. HOWEVER, THIS TIME I DID DRIVE TO A SAFE PLACE AND VIDEO TAPED THE FAULTS. THE ACTUAL FAULT IS: AIR SUSPENSION: SYSTEM FAULT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 11/15/2019, 11/18/2019, AND 11/23/2019. FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED SOON AFTER I STARTED THE CAR. THE SECOND HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ON THE PARKWAY TRAVELING 60 MPH. THE THIRD HAPPENED RIGHT OFF THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING ABOUT 25 MPH.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Nov 24, 201937,500 milesVA

I STARTED THE CAR LAST FRIDAY, 11/15/2019 AND GOT A BUNCH OF SYSTEM ERRORS POPPING UP ONE RIGHT AFTER THE OTHER. I DROVE THE CAR TO GET TO A SAFE PARKING SPOT AND NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL TOTALLY OFF CENTER ABOUT 70 DEGREES COUNTER CLOCKWISE. I AM NOT SURE IF THE TWO (ACCIDENT/CALIBRATION AND THE FAULTS) CONNECTED OR IF THIS IS JUST A COINCIDENCE. I DID NOT TAKE ANY NOTES OF THE FAULTS AT THAT TIME BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE MY PHONE OR ANYTHING TO WRITE WITH. NOW, TODAY, I STARTED TO DRIVE HOME FROM WORK AND WAS DOING ABOUT 60 MPH AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. IT WAS SCARY AS HELL HAVING THE STEERING WHEEL GO COMPLETELY OFF CENTER AND HAVE THE SUSPENSION HARD AS A ROCK. HOWEVER, THIS TIME I DID DRIVE TO A SAFE PLACE AND VIDEO TAPED THE FAULTS. THE ACTUAL FAULT IS: STABILIZATION CONTROL (ESC): FAULT! SEE OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 11/15/2019, 11/18/2019, AND 11/23/2019. FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED SOON AFTER I STARTED THE CAR. THE SECOND HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ON THE PARKWAY TRAVELING 60 MPH. THE THIRD HAPPENED RIGHT OFF THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING ABOUT 25 MPH.

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 24, 201937,500 milesVA

I STARTED THE CAR LAST FRIDAY, 11/15/2019 AND GOT A BUNCH OF SYSTEM ERRORS POPPING UP ONE RIGHT AFTER THE OTHER. I DROVE THE CAR TO GET TO A SAFE PARKING SPOT AND NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL TOTALLY OFF CENTER ABOUT 70 DEGREES COUNTER CLOCKWISE. I AM NOT SURE IF THE TWO (ACCIDENT/CALIBRATION AND THE FAULTS) CONNECTED OR IF THIS IS JUST A COINCIDENCE. I DID NOT TAKE ANY NOTES OF THE FAULTS AT THAT TIME BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE MY PHONE OR ANYTHING TO WRITE WITH. NOW, TODAY, I STARTED TO DRIVE HOME FROM WORK AND WAS DOING ABOUT 60 MPH AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. IT WAS SCARY AS HELL HAVING THE STEERING WHEEL GO COMPLETELY OFF CENTER AND HAVE THE SUSPENSION HARD AS A ROCK. HOWEVER, THIS TIME I DID DRIVE TO A SAFE PLACE AND VIDEO TAPED THE FAULTS. THE ACTUAL FAULT IS: HILL-START ASSIST: UNAVAILABLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 11/15/2019, 11/18/2019, AND 11/23/2019. FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED SOON AFTER I STARTED THE CAR. THE SECOND HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ON THE PARKWAY TRAVELING 60 MPH. THE THIRD HAPPENED RIGHT OFF THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING ABOUT 25 MPH.

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 24, 201937,500 milesVA

I STARTED THE CAR LAST FRIDAY, 11/15/2019 AND GOT A BUNCH OF SYSTEM ERRORS POPPING UP ONE RIGHT AFTER THE OTHER. I DROVE THE CAR TO GET TO A SAFE PARKING SPOT AND NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL TOTALLY OFF CENTER ABOUT 70 DEGREES COUNTER CLOCKWISE. I AM NOT SURE IF THE TWO (ACCIDENT/CALIBRATION AND THE FAULTS) CONNECTED OR IF THIS IS JUST A COINCIDENCE. I DID NOT TAKE ANY NOTES OF THE FAULTS AT THAT TIME BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE MY PHONE OR ANYTHING TO WRITE WITH. NOW, TODAY, I STARTED TO DRIVE HOME FROM WORK AND WAS DOING ABOUT 60 MPH AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. IT WAS SCARY AS HELL HAVING THE STEERING WHEEL GO COMPLETELY OFF CENTER AND HAVE THE SUSPENSION HARD AS A ROCK. HOWEVER, THIS TIME I DID DRIVE TO A SAFE PLACE AND VIDEO TAPED THE FAULTS. THE ACTUAL FAULT IS: ACC AND AUDI BRAKING GUARD: UNAVAILABLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 11/15/2019, 11/18/2019, AND 11/23/2019. FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED SOON AFTER I STARTED THE CAR. THE SECOND HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ON THE PARKWAY TRAVELING 60 MPH. THE THIRD HAPPENED RIGHT OFF THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING ABOUT 25 MPH.

6 of 6 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2013
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20260100Routine
20250100Routine
20240100Routine
20230200Routine
20220300Routine
20211800Routine
20200400Routine
20180100Routine
20170200Routine
2016 — this page6300Routine
20156400Routine
20146510Routine
201313500Routine
20092100Routine
20085100Routine
20073100Routine

Compare every S8 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 23, 2022. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.