Audi S8 Problems: 4 Issues Every Owner Should Know
2013-2022 model years · Based on 0+ owner reports · Last updated March 2026
According to Au7o's analysis of 0+ owner reports, the 2013-2022 Audi S8 has 4 documented known issues, with 2 rated critical by the Au7o research team. The most serious are Turbocharger Oil Strainer Blockage and Engine Stall (4.0T NHTSA Recall) ($0-$20,000 repair) and Air Suspension Strut Leak and Compressor Failure ($1,500-$20,000 repair). Across all issues, repair costs range from $0 to $20,000. Full technical analysis and DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
All 4 Known Issues
The Audi S8 (2013-2017) with the 4.0T twin-turbo V8 shares the same critical turbocharger oil strainer design flaw as the S6, S7, and RS7. The oil strainer in the turbo oil supply line accumulates carbon and sludge deposits, choking oil flow to turbocharger bearings. Bearing failure causes the turbo shaft to break or turbine wheel to contact the housing, resulting in sudden engine stall with no restart capability. NHTSA documented 58 complaints across all 4.0T models and issued Recall 22V178. The S8's higher power output (520-605 HP) generates more heat and oil stress than the S6/S7, potentially accelerating strainer clogging. Audi extended turbocharger warranty to 10 years/120,000 miles. Consumer Reports and Autoblog covered this recall extensively. Vehicles built after March 30, 2017 have the updated strainer.
Common Symptoms
- Engine stall at any speed, including highway (SAFETY CRITICAL)
- Engine will not restart after stalling
- Unusual turbocharger whine or grinding noise
- Sudden loss of power during acceleration
- Check engine light with turbo-related codes
- Oil smoke from exhaust (turbo seal failure)
- Difficult starting after vehicle sits overnight
How to Fix
RECALL REPAIR (FREE): Contact Audi dealer immediately for NHTSA Recall 22V178 (Audi recall 21H7). Dealer replaces oil strainer with updated larger-mesh version. WARRANTY EXTENSION: Turbocharger warranty extended to 10 years/120,000 miles. If turbo already damaged, contact Audi for warranty claim. TURBO REPLACEMENT: If turbocharger(s) damaged beyond recall coverage, expect $5,000-$10,000 per turbo ($10,000-$20,000 for pair on S8). PREVENTION: Premium 5W-40 synthetic oil changed every 5,000 miles. Never exceed 7,500-mile oil change intervals on the 4.0T.
What Owners Are Using
Parts and tips from 0+ owners who fixed this issue
- TipCheck recall status immediately at NHTSA.gov/recalls. This is a SAFETY recall—the engine can stall at highway speed. The repair is free regardless of mileage or ownership status.
- NoteIf you experience sudden power loss or the engine stalls while driving, shift to neutral, turn on hazards, and coast to a safe location. Do NOT attempt to restart repeatedly—this can cause additional turbo damage.
- TipEven after the recall repair, maintain strict 5,000-mile oil change intervals with premium synthetic. The 4.0T's hot-vee design runs very hot and breaks down oil faster than typical engines.
The Audi S8 (2013-2018) with the 4.0T twin-turbo V8 (same engine as S6/S7/RS7) exhibits excessive oil consumption that Audi has acknowledged via Technical Service Bulletins. The issue stems from insufficient piston ring tension allowing oil to enter the combustion chamber. The S8's higher power output (520-605 HP depending on variant) and higher cylinder pressures from twin turbocharging exacerbate the issue compared to lower-output applications of the same engine. Audi considers up to 1 quart per 2,000 miles 'within specification,' but many owners consume oil at a much higher rate. Audi's TSB specifies an oil consumption test procedure and authorizes piston ring replacement for vehicles that fail. BobIsTheOilGuy and Euro Premium Parts report this as a recurring topic in S8 ownership circles.
Common Symptoms
- Oil level drops significantly between changes
- Adding 1+ quart every 1,000-2,000 miles
- Blue-white exhaust smoke on cold start or hard acceleration
- Oil consumption warning on instrument cluster
- Fouled spark plugs (oil deposits)
- Low oil pressure warning (if severely depleted)
How to Fix
WITHIN WARRANTY: Request formal Audi oil consumption test at dealer. Dealer tops off oil, seals fill cap, and measures consumption over 1,000 miles. If consumption exceeds Audi's spec, piston ring replacement is authorized under TSB ($4,000-$8,000 covered by warranty). OUT OF WARRANTY: Piston ring replacement requires engine removal on the 4.0T—expect $6,000-$10,000 out of pocket. MANAGEMENT (if not replacing rings): Use 5W-40 synthetic oil (not 0W-40), change every 5,000 miles, and check oil level WEEKLY. Carry extra oil in trunk. CRITICAL: Never let oil run low—4.0T turbo bearings and the oil strainer issue make low oil levels extremely dangerous.
What Owners Are Using
Parts and tips from 0+ owners who fixed this issue
- TipRequest the oil consumption test BEFORE your warranty expires. It's free and documents the issue. If you're within 1 year of warranty expiration, do this immediately.
- TipIf buying a used S8, ask for oil change records and look for short intervals. Frequent oil additions between changes are a red flag for the piston ring issue.
- NoteRunning the 4.0T low on oil can trigger the turbo oil strainer blockage issue (Recall 22V178). The two issues compound each other. Check oil level every week.
The Audi S8 (2013-2018) with the 4.0T V8 develops coolant leaks from the thermostat housing cover, O-ring seals between the thermostat and water pump, and the plastic coolant distribution pipes. The plastic thermostat housing can develop hairline cracks from repeated thermal cycling, and the O-ring seals harden and fail over time. AudiWorld and Audizine forums report coolant leaks as a common issue between 50,000-90,000 miles. The 4.0T cooling system is under significant thermal stress due to the hot-vee turbo configuration (turbos between cylinder banks). Access is very difficult—the water pump requires removing the oil cooler and main alternator drive assembly. Improper repair is common, as the O-ring groove on the engine block must be meticulously cleaned of calcified mineral scale to reseal properly.
Common Symptoms
- Coolant puddle under engine (pink/green fluid)
- Sweet coolant smell from engine bay
- Low coolant warning on dashboard
- Temperature gauge reading higher than normal
- Visible coolant residue around thermostat housing
- Steam from engine bay area
How to Fix
Replace thermostat housing cover, thermostat, O-rings, and water pump seals ($1,200-$2,500 installed). CRITICAL INSTALLATION DETAILS: Clean the O-ring sealing groove on engine block to remove all mineral scale buildup—this step is often overlooked and causes repeat leaks. Do NOT use RTV sealant with fiber gaskets—it causes leaks. Ensure thermostat is installed in correct orientation (backward installation causes uneven pressure on housing). RECOMMENDED: Replace water pump gaskets at the same time since access requires disassembly of oil cooler and alternator drive.
What Owners Are Using
Parts and tips from 0+ owners who fixed this issue
- TipWhen repairing the thermostat housing leak, have the shop also replace water pump gaskets and the union O-ring. The labor overlap is significant and prevents a second teardown later.
- NoteDo NOT use RTV gasket sealer with fiber gaskets on the 4.0T cooling system. This is a common mechanic mistake that causes repeat coolant leaks at multiple locations.
- TipFind a shop experienced specifically with the 4.0T engine. The water pump access requires removing the oil cooler and alternator drive assembly—not all Euro shops have done this procedure.
The Audi S8 (2013-2022) uses an adaptive air suspension system with electronically controlled air struts that are prone to failure. The air springs (bellows) develop leaks from rubber deterioration, UV exposure, and road debris damage. A leaking air spring causes the affected corner of the vehicle to sag while parked, and the air compressor works overtime to compensate. This overworks the compressor, causing premature compressor failure ($2,000-$2,100 to replace). Individual air struts cost $4,300-$4,600 each to replace at a dealer. The S8's heavier curb weight (4,800+ lbs) and sport-tuned suspension put more stress on air components than the standard A8. StrutMasters and RepairPal document air suspension as one of the most expensive recurring repairs on the D4/D5 S8 platform. Complete suspension rebuild (4 struts + compressor) can exceed $20,000 at dealer pricing.
Common Symptoms
- One corner of vehicle sags after sitting overnight
- Vehicle sits noticeably lower on one side
- Air compressor running constantly (audible buzzing/humming)
- Hissing noise from wheel well area (air leak)
- Suspension fault warning on dashboard
- Ride quality becomes harsh or bouncy
- Vehicle takes long time to reach ride height after starting
How to Fix
SINGLE STRUT LEAK: Replace air strut ($4,300-$4,600 per strut at dealer, $1,500-$2,500 with aftermarket Arnott or Continental strut). COMPRESSOR FAILURE: Replace air compressor ($2,000-$2,100 at dealer, $800-$1,200 aftermarket). COST SAVING: Aftermarket air struts from Arnott, Continental (OEM supplier), or Suncore offer 40-60% savings over dealer pricing. ULTIMATE SAVINGS: StrutMasters conversion kit replaces air struts with passive coilovers ($1,500-$2,500 for complete kit) but eliminates adaptive height adjustment. PREVENTION: Park in garage to reduce UV damage to rubber bellows. Regularly wash wheel well area to remove road salt and debris.
What Owners Are Using
Parts and tips from 0+ owners who fixed this issue
- UpgradeArnott remanufactured air struts offer significant savings over OEM ($1,200-$1,800 each vs $4,300+ dealer). Arnott provides a lifetime warranty on their remanufactured struts. (Arnott Remanufactured Air Strut (A8/S8 D4))
- TipIf one strut is leaking, the others are likely close behind. Budget for replacing all four struts within the next 12-24 months. Replacing in pairs (front or rear) is the minimum recommended approach.
- NoteA leaking air strut will quickly kill your compressor as it runs continuously trying to maintain ride height. Address leaks promptly—a $1,500 strut replacement now prevents a $2,000 compressor failure later.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Audi S8 problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 0+ owner reports, the 2013-2022 Audi S8 has 4 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Turbocharger Oil Strainer Blockage and Engine Stall (4.0T NHTSA Recall), Air Suspension Strut Leak and Compressor Failure, Excessive Oil Consumption and Piston Ring TSB (4.0T V8). Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Audi S8 reliable?
The 2013-2022 Audi S8 has 4 known issues documented across 0+ owner reports. 2 issues are rated critical: Turbocharger Oil Strainer Blockage and Engine Stall (4.0T NHTSA Recall) and Air Suspension Strut Leak and Compressor Failure. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Audi S8 problems?
Repair costs for known Audi S8 issues range from $0 to $20,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Turbocharger Oil Strainer Blockage and Engine Stall (4.0T NHTSA Recall), typically costs $0-$20,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What year Audi S8 is the most reliable?
Reliability varies across model years of the Audi S8. Based on owner reports, issues are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 2013-2022 Audi S8 with 4 documented issues from 0+ owner reports.
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