NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The turbocharger oil supply strainer can become blocked, reducing lubrication to the bearings and causing wear.
This page covers 6 recalls, 13 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2013 Audi S8.
18 mpg combined
13.1 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
The dominant pattern in 2013 Audi S8 complaints centers on the engine, which accounts for the clear majority of reports. Owners frequently describe turbocharger failures, with multiple reports of catastrophic turbo damage leading to stalling, rough idling, hard or failed starts, and significant loss of power. Several owners note the check engine light appearing alongside these symptoms. A recurring concern is what happens when the engine stalls while the vehicle is moving, because the S8's power steering and brake boost rely on the running engine, owners report that a sudden stall at speed leaves the steering notably heavy and the brake pedal requiring much greater effort to depress. Outside the engine, complaint volume drops off sharply, with only isolated reports covering wheels and vehicle speed control.
13
Total Complaints
By System
The 2013 Audi S8 has 6 recalls, the most serious being multiple fire risks: a fuel line that can develop cracks and leak fuel near ignition sources, and an engine compartment seal that can detach and land on hot engine surfaces.
The fuel line concern reflects two separate filings covering the same underlying problem: the supply line feeding the high-pressure fuel pump can become porous over time, allowing raw fuel to seep out where it can ignite. The loose engine compartment seal issue similarly appears across multiple filings, with a rubber seal that drops into the engine bay and contacts hot components, creating a fire risk from the same mechanism. There is also a turbocharger concern: a blocked oil strainer starves the turbo bearings of lubrication, causing them to wear and potentially allowing the turbine wheel to grind against its housing or the shaft to snap entirely, which can stall the engine without warning while driving. On the visibility side, certain vehicles built between March and July 2013 have a sunroof glass panel that can shatter spontaneously, dropping broken glass onto occupants or startling the driver badly enough to affect control of the car.
At a glance
What can fail
The turbocharger oil supply strainer can become blocked, reducing lubrication to the bearings and causing wear.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the oil strainer and perform an oil change at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine compartment seal can loosen and fall into the engine compartment, where it may contact hot surfaces.
What the fix does
A dealer will install a retaining plate to secure the engine compartment seal in place.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seal around the engine compartment can loosen and touch hot engine parts.
What the fix does
A retaining plate will be installed to keep the engine compartment seal from loosening.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel supply line connecting to the high pressure fuel pump can develop small holes and leak fuel.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a fuel pressure damper at no cost to address the leak.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The high pressure fuel pump's fuel supply line may develop porosity over time, causing fuel to leak.
What the fix does
The fuel line will be replaced with a new one at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The sunroof glass panel may shatter.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the sunroof glass panel at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
