Audi S8 Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability
Year-by-year breakdown of safety recalls, NHTSA owner complaints, reported deaths, injuries, crashes, and worst problem areas. Updated daily from federal databases.
Own a Audi S8? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Audi S8 — Year-by-Year Problem Comparison
| Year | Verdict | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Injuries | Deaths | Top Issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026Best | Excellent | — | — | — | — | — | — | Full report → |
| 2025 | Excellent | — | — | — | — | — | — | Full report → |
| 2024 | Excellent | — | — | — | — | — | — | Full report → |
| 2023 | Good | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | Full report → |
| 2022 | Good | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | Full report → |
| 2021 | Caution | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | Full report → |
| 2020 | Good | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | Full report → |
| 2019 | Excellent | — | — | — | — | — | — | Full report → |
| 2018 | Good | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | Full report → |
| 2017 | Good | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | Full report → |
| 2016 | Caution | 2 | 7 | — | — | — | Service Brakes | Full report → |
| 2015 | Caution | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | Engine | Full report → |
| 2014 | Avoid | 4 | 5 | — | — | — | Engine | Full report → |
| 2013Worst | Avoid | 4 | 12 | — | — | — | Engine | Full report → |
14 model years shown. Crashes, injuries, and deaths from NHTSA complaint filings. Click any year for full details.
Most Common Audi S8 Problems
Based on 28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years.
S8 Years to Avoid
Best S8 Years to Buy
Audi S8 Problems by Year
Frequently Asked Questions — Audi S8 Reliability
What year S8 has the most problems?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2013 Audi S8 had the highest combined complaint and recall count — 12 complaints and 4 safety recalls. See the full 2013 report for specific defects.
Is the Audi S8 reliable?
The Audi S8 has accumulated 28 owner-filed complaints and 25 safety recalls across all model years in NHTSA's database. The 2026 model year shows the fewest reported issues. Always run a VIN check before purchasing any used S8.
What are the most common S8 problems?
The most frequently cited problem areas are: Engine (15 reports), Fuel/Propulsion System (2 reports), Power Train (2 reports), Engine And Engine Cooling (2 reports). Based on NHTSA complaints across all model years.
How do I check if my S8 has an open recall?
Use the vehicle's 17-character VIN at VinCheckEngine.com. Our free VIN report pulls the latest NHTSA recall data along with auction history, odometer records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Check a Specific Audi S8 VIN
Model-level data shows what can go wrong. A VIN-specific report shows what has gone wrong with a particular vehicle — including auction history, odometer discrepancies, open recalls, accident records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Run a Free Audi S8 VIN Report →No account required · Instant results · Updated daily