2013 Audi S8 reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Audi S8 over 14 years — 0 per year. The other S8 years sit at about the same rate: their median is 0 complaints per year. NHTSA has 5 recalls on file, including Turbocharger, Hood, and Hoses and fittings.

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (11 of 13), then Fuel and propulsion system (1) and Powertrain (1). The most filings arrived in 2021 (6 of 13).

Next to 2014

The 2014 S8 has 6 complaints, 0 per year. The 2013 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2014.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2013 Audi S8. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (5)

Recall engine and cooling, engine, gasoline, turbocharger 2022-03-23 · NHTSA campaign 22V178000

Summary 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.

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 structure, body, hood 2020-07-07 · NHTSA campaign 20V397000

Summary 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.

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 gasoline fuel system, delivery, hoses and fittings 2019-01-28 · NHTSA campaign 19V057000

Summary 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.

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 gasoline fuel system, delivery, hoses and fittings 2018-06-25 · NHTSA campaign 18V430000

Summary 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.

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 visibility, sunroof 2013-09-23 · NHTSA campaign 13V448000

Summary 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.

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.

Complaints by component (13 total)

Engine

Fuel and propulsion system

Powertrain

Speed control

Wheels

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"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…"
Unknown or other · filed 2022-11-04
"The dealer doesn’t want to perform the recall due to branded title. They should though. Please look into it"
Engine · filed 2022-09-09
"Engine turbocharger experience catastrophic damage, engine stalled, power steering was disrupted."
Engine · filed 2022-02-08
"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…"
Engine · filed 2021-09-03
"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…"
Engine · filed 2021-07-10

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2013 Audi S8 4 DR AWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
S8	4L, 8-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	All-wheel drive	15	26	18 MPG	$4450

Specs and fitment

D4 generation, 2013–2018

Body styles Sedan

Oil 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, or 5W-40 (engine dependent; confirm on cap)

Tire size 265/35R21 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 18V430000 and 19V057000 cover certain 2013-2015 and 2013-2016 Audi S8 and A8 models for fuel-supply line issues that can leak fuel. Recall 20V397000 covers certain 2013-2018 S8 and A8 models where the hood seal can allow water intrusion. Recall 13V448000 covers certain 2013-2014 S8 and A8 models equipped with a panoramic sunroof for a sunroof assembly concern. Recall 22V178000 covers certain 2013-2017 S8 models (with A8, S6, S7, and RS7) where the turbocharger oil supply strainer can become blocked and wear bearings, which can stall the engine.

Compare

Next year 2014 Audi S8 See every Audi S8 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Audi S8 reliable?

What are common problems with a 2013 Audi S8?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (11 of 13), then Fuel and propulsion system (1) and Powertrain (1). The most filings arrived in 2021 (6 of 13).

Is the 2013 Audi S8 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2014 S8 has 6 complaints, 0 per year. The 2013 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2014.

Has the 2013 Audi S8 been recalled?

The 2013 Audi S8 has 5 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2013 Audi S8?

Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 2013 Audi S8 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2013 Audi S8 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2013 Audi S8 is 18 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a US Audi S8 use?

0W-30 (confirm on cap)

What tire sizes fit a US Audi S8?

Published US specs commonly list front 265/40R20 (trim dependent) and rear 265/40R20 (trim dependent); confirm on the door jamb placard for your trim.

What NHTSA recalls affect the US Audi S8?

Recall 21V111000 covers certain 2020-2021 Audi S8 models (with 2019-2021 A8) where a missing engine control module software update is described in NHTSA's summary. Recall 25V900000 covers certain 2019-2026 Audi models including S8 where a software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying; dealers update the software.