FaultScore

FaultScore report

2013 Audi S8 problems

Owners have filed 17 complaints about the 2013 Audi S8 with NHTSA between 2018 and 2022. The largest single group is the engine & cooling.

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

17

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

61,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

0%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

How 2013 compares with every other Audi S8

Click any bar to open that year's report.

07 08 09 13 14 15 16 21
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2013 Audi S8

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 11 64.7%

Median failure at 70,500 miles

Other & Unspecified 2 11.8%
Wheels 1 5.9%

Median failure at 61,000 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 1 5.9%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 5.9%

Median failure at 58,000 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 5.9%

Median failure at 58,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

25,000 – 49,999 miles 1 10.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 5 50.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 3 30.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 1 10.0%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Feb 2018 peak 3 Nov 2022

NHTSA investigations into the 2013 Audi S8

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

EA22001 Opened 4 Apr 2022 Closed 26 May 2023 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

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...

PE21009 Opened 29 Mar 2021 Closed 27 May 2022 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

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...

Recalls on the 2013 Audi S8

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2022133 2,548 units in Canada

Engine

Issue: On certain vehicles, the oil strainer for the turbocharger oil supply could get blocked. If this happens, a turbocharger could fail. This could cause loss of engine power and/or cause the engine to stall. Note: This problem could cause different warning messages to display or the engine oil warning light to turn on. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Audi will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the oil strainer for the turbocharger oil supply. The dealer will also inspect and document the performance of the boost pressure system and change the engine oil.

Recall 2020308 810 units in Canada

Structure

Issue: On certain vehicles, the engine compartment seal may become loose over time and fall into the engine compartment. If this happens, the seal could contact a hot surface in the engine compartment.   Safety Risk: A rubber seal that falls onto a hot surface could cause a fire.  Corrective Action: The company will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to install a retaining plate on the engine compartment seal.

Recall 2019040 407 units in Canada

Fuel System

Issue: On certain vehicles, the fuel line to the high-pressure fuel pump could leak. This may cause a gasoline odour or leak. Safety Risk: Leaking fuel, in the presence of an ignition source, creates the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer for repair. A fuel pressure damper will be installed in the low pressure fuel supply located inside the fuel tank.

Recall 2018344 307 units in Canada

Fuel System

On certain vehicles, the fuel supply line for the high pressure fuel pump may become porous over time. This could cause a fuel smell or a fuel leak, which in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the fuel line.

Recall 2013321 61 units in Canada

Accessories

On certain vehicle the sunroof may have been manufactured incorrectly and could be susceptible to breakage. Sunroof glass panel breakage, while the vehicle is in motion, could cause driver distraction, which could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Additionally, broken glass inside the vehicle could pose a risk of injury to vehicle occupants. Correction: Dealers will replace the sunroof glass panel.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Sun Prairie, WI

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.

NHTSA complaint #11492315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gresham, OR

ENGINE

The dealer doesn’t want to perform the recall due to branded title. They should though. Please look into it

NHTSA complaint #11483729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jacksonville, OR

ENGINE

Engine turbocharger experience catastrophic damage, engine stalled, power steering was disrupted.

NHTSA complaint #11450988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mattapoisett, MA

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 nearest dealership and this is when we discovered that the turbos had gone bad. There was no check engine light or any indication before it just failed. I am active duty in the United States Coast Guard and being without a car is not an option. Because of the shipping delay and waiting for the turbos to come from Germany, I was without my car for two weeks. I was loaned a vehicle but I had to rent a car for one day in between. We have been told by Audi dealerships for years that this was a known problem and to expect this $10,000 repair.

NHTSA complaint #11431661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Braselton, GA

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 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 A POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENT. MY CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED BY AUDI SINCE PURCHASE. IT WAS JUST SERVICED WITHIN THE PAST MONTH. CAR WAS TOWED TO AN AUDI DEALER--THE TURBO CHARGER HAD FAILED. BASED ON THE DEALER DESCRIPTION, FAILER OF TURBO CAUSED THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF BOTH THE STEERING AND THE BRAKES. THERE SHOULD BE A BACKUP SAFETY MECHANISM IN CASE OF TURBO FAILURE WITH AUDI 4L ENGINE--APPARENTLY, THIS DOES NOT SEEM TO EXIST. I CONTACTED AUDI AND THEY HAD NO EXPLANATION. IT WAS JUST BY GOD'S GRACE THAT HORRIBLE ACCIDENT DID NOT OCCUR. I HOPE YOU CAN PROVIDE SOME INSIGHT INTO THIS. BASED ON SOME BLOGS, THIS IS APPARENTLY COMMON WITH 4L TURBO ENGINES WITH AUDI.

NHTSA complaint #11424203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Monett, MO

ENGINE

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alexandria, LA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

sUN ROOF EXPLODED ON MT AUDIS8 2013. 6/03/2021.

NHTSA complaint #11419626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 58,000 miles Plainville, CT

POWER TRAIN

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 58,000 miles Plainville, CT

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 58,000 miles Plainville, CT

ENGINE

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles ANN Arbor, MI

ENGINE

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 THE VEHICLE. AFTER TOW TO THE AUDI DEALERSHIP I WAS INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE TURBOS IN THE ENGINE. I DID EXTENSIVE REVIEW OF THIS PROBLEM AND FIND OUT THAT IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND BOILS DOWN TO A DESIGN FLAW WHERE A SMALL OIL SCREEN ESSENTIALLY STARVES THE TURBOS OF OIL. SOMETIME THESE SCREENS HAVE CLOGGED BUT IN MANY CASES ARE JUST FINE BUT IN ALL CASES HAVE LEAD TO TURBO FAILURE. THIS IS NOT A MAINTENANCE ISSUE AND ALL VEHICLES I HAVE REVIEWED HAVE BEEN FACTORY MAINTAINED WITH SERVICE RECORDS AVAILABLE SUCH AS IN THE CASE OF MY VEHICLE. THIS IS NOT CURRENTLY COVERED BY AN AUDI EXTENDED WARRANTY AND REPAIRS ARE VERY COSTLY AVERAGING AROUND 12-13K FROM THE DEALERSHIPS. I CONTACTED AUDI OF AMERICA AND FILED A COMPLAINT (AS MANY PEOPLE HAVE) AND THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS DESIGN FLAW AND COSTLY REPAIR BUT HAVE NOT ISSUED ANY RECALLS. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE HAD I LOST POWER ON THE HIGHWAY I MOST CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT. AUDI HAD RECENTLY ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY SERVICE ON A FAULTY ENGINE OIL PCV VALVE AND THAT REPAIR WAS AROUND 2-3K. CLEARLY THERE IS A TREND HERE WITH THESE ENGINES. I AM HOPEFUL THAT WITH THIS AND OTHER COMPLAINTS, THAT THIS MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WILL LEAD TO WARRANTY EXTENSION AND/OR RECALL FOR REPAIR OF THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #11391037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles ANN Arbor, MI

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 THE VEHICLE. AFTER TOW TO THE AUDI DEALERSHIP I WAS INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE TURBOS IN THE ENGINE. I DID EXTENSIVE REVIEW OF THIS PROBLEM AND FIND OUT THAT IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND BOILS DOWN TO A DESIGN FLAW WHERE A SMALL OIL SCREEN ESSENTIALLY STARVES THE TURBOS OF OIL. SOMETIME THESE SCREENS HAVE CLOGGED BUT IN MANY CASES ARE JUST FINE BUT IN ALL CASES HAVE LEAD TO TURBO FAILURE. THIS IS NOT A MAINTENANCE ISSUE AND ALL VEHICLES I HAVE REVIEWED HAVE BEEN FACTORY MAINTAINED WITH SERVICE RECORDS AVAILABLE SUCH AS IN THE CASE OF MY VEHICLE. THIS IS NOT CURRENTLY COVERED BY AN AUDI EXTENDED WARRANTY AND REPAIRS ARE VERY COSTLY AVERAGING AROUND 12-13K FROM THE DEALERSHIPS. I CONTACTED AUDI OF AMERICA AND FILED A COMPLAINT (AS MANY PEOPLE HAVE) AND THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS DESIGN FLAW AND COSTLY REPAIR BUT HAVE NOT ISSUED ANY RECALLS. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE HAD I LOST POWER ON THE HIGHWAY I MOST CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT. AUDI HAD RECENTLY ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY SERVICE ON A FAULTY ENGINE OIL PCV VALVE AND THAT REPAIR WAS AROUND 2-3K. CLEARLY THERE IS A TREND HERE WITH THESE ENGINES. I AM HOPEFUL THAT WITH THIS AND OTHER COMPLAINTS, THAT THIS MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WILL LEAD TO WARRANTY EXTENSION AND/OR RECALL FOR REPAIR OF THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #11391037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 48,700 miles Newton, MA

ENGINE

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 84,600 miles Coventry, CT

ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR STARTED TO RUN ROUGH AND WOULDN'T IDLE WHEN I CAME TO A STOP. IT BECAME VERY HARD TO START, ESPECIALLY WHEN HOT. WHILE THE CAR WAS IN FOR RECALL WORK IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BAD TURBOCHARGERS. QUOTED OVER $10K IN REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #11209622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 112,000 miles Toledo, OH

ENGINE

IT IF VERY WELL KNOWN ISSUE FOR 4.0TT V8 AUDI ENGINE, THERE IS POUR OIL SUPPLY TO TURBOS WHICH CAUSING THEM TO FAIL. AFTER AN HOUR OF CRUISING ON HIGHWAY CAR WOULD CHOKE ON IDLE, DIFFICULT TO EVEN START. AUDI DEALER DIAGNOSED TURBO FAILURE WITHOUT UNDERLINE CAUSE. 10K DOLLARS REPAIR EVERY 20-50K MILES IS UNREASONABLE DUE TO FACT THAT OIL SEPARATOR, OIL STRAINER, SEALS AND COOLANT LINES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED TO BE DEFECTIVE AND UPDATED BY MANUFACTURER (AUDI)

NHTSA complaint #11191243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 61,000 miles Lake Worth, FL

WHEELS

CAR HAS 3 BENT RIMS AND A BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT CARMAX WILL TRY TO SAY THEY FIXED RIMS AND THE MOTOR MOUNT IS FINE

NHTSA complaint #11073138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 61,000 miles Lake Worth, FL

ENGINE

CAR HAS 3 BENT RIMS AND A BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT CARMAX WILL TRY TO SAY THEY FIXED RIMS AND THE MOTOR MOUNT IS FINE

NHTSA complaint #11073138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.