NHTSA vehicle safety data

2015 Audi S8 Recalls & Complaints

The 2015 Audi S8 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 6 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Audi dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2015 Audi S8. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2015 Audi S8 owner complaints

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Audi S8, describing incidents dated May 2, 2018 to January 10, 2024.

Most-cited components

Engine 5 complaints
Power Train 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11578521 · Filed March 20, 2024
Water Pump and thermostat has a faulty design that causes coolant to leak either around the O Ring and/or the elbow. I am in my third water pump and thermostat with only 69,000 miles on the vehicle. Issue appears to be common on the EA824 (4.0 twin turbo) engine with hundreds of reports from the…
ODI #11506565 · Filed February 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Audi S8. The contact stated he was unable to start the vehicle. The contact stated that the Electronic Power Control (EPC) warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to start the vehicle, but the vehicle was shaking while driving. The contact also stated the vehicle…
ODI #11452668 · Filed February 18, 2022
Turbo failure and positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) failure. Whining noise from PCV and smoke out the tail pipes with no power. Had to pay out of pocket to remedy issues.

Read all 6 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2015 Audi S8 in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA22-001: Engine Stall - Turbo Failure
Closed May 26, 2023
Preliminary Evaluation PE21-009: Engine Stall - Turbo Failure
Closed May 27, 2022
- Recall 22V-178

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Blocked Turbocharger Oil Strainer

NHTSA #22V178000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine — Gasoline — Turbo/Supercharger · NHTSA notice

Reported March 23, 2022 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 26,093 vehicles

Repair completion: 85.05% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 21H7 · Owners notified August 4, 2022 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

Worn bearings can cause the turbine wheel to contact the turbocharger housing or cause the shaft to break, causing an engine stall and increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Engine Compartment Seal May Detach

NHTSA #20V397000 · Structure — Body — Hood · NHTSA notice

Reported July 7, 2020 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 12,964 vehicles

Repair completion: 88.95% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 51G6 · Owners notified September 4, 2020

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the seal contacts hot engine components, there could be an increased risk of a fire.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Fuel Supply Line May Become Porous and Leak Fuel

NHTSA #19V057000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported January 28, 2019 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 8,985 vehicles

Repair completion: 84.73% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 20BM · Owners notified February 21, 2019 · Vehicles built March 19, 2014 – July 22, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

Leaking fuel, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of fire.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Fuel Supply Line may Leak Fuel

NHTSA #18V430000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported June 25, 2018 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 6,633 vehicles

Repair completion: 88.75% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 20AV · Owners notified July 20, 2018 · Vehicles built March 19, 2014 – October 21, 2014 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2015 Audi S8 4 DR AWD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control Forward Collision Warning (Optional)

2 investigations

6 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2015 Audi S8.

Power Train

ODI #11578521

Incident: January 10, 2024 · Filed: March 20, 2024

Water Pump and thermostat has a faulty design that causes coolant to leak either around the O Ring and/or the elbow. I am in my third water pump and thermostat with only 69,000 miles on the vehicle. Issue appears to be common on the EA824 (4.0 twin turbo) engine with hundreds of reports from the complete range of EA824 equipped vehicles (S8, RS7, S6, S7, A8 etc). Average mileage of those reported are 65k miles or so. Hundreds of similar issues are reported via various Audi forums and social media groups. Poses a fire risk since coolant leaks all over the front of the engine. Poses another safety risk if the engine seizes due to overheating while in motion. Either would be catastrophic

Engine

ODI #11506565

Incident: August 1, 2022 · Filed: February 10, 2023

The contact owns a 2015 Audi S8. The contact stated he was unable to start the vehicle. The contact stated that the Electronic Power Control (EPC) warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to start the vehicle, but the vehicle was shaking while driving. The contact also stated the vehicle had stalled. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the oxygen sensor and oil pressure switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicle back to an independent mechanic and was referred to a local dealer. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V178000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.

Engine

ODI #11452668

Incident: January 1, 2022 · Filed: February 18, 2022

Turbo failure and positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) failure. Whining noise from PCV and smoke out the tail pipes with no power. Had to pay out of pocket to remedy issues.

Engine

ODI #11399435

Incident: February 27, 2021 · Filed: March 5, 2021

WAS DRIVING ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON DOWN A BUSY STREET WHEN MY CAR STARTED SPUTTERING AND HAD VERY REDUCED POWER. I WAS ABLE TO EVENTUALLY GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. TRIED STARTING THE CAR AFTER A RESTING PERIOD AND CAR WOULD NOT START. LET IT SIT LONGER AND FINALLY GOT IT TO START BUT CAR HAD VERY LITTLE POWER WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS , BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET TO MY LOCAL AUDI DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. ($190.00 + TAX). I INFORMED THE TECHNICIAN OF THE ISSUES I SAW AND ALSO THAT I HEARD A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT BOTH TURBOS HAD SIGNIFICANT "PLAY" IN THEM AND THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECH SAID THAT THIS IS CAUSED BY AN OIL SCREEN DEEP INSIDE THE ENGINE, WHICH IS A KNOWN CAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. PRICE TO REPAIR WOULD BE $11,500.00!!!! IF THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AS AUDI STATES, WHY ISN'T THIS A RECALL ISSUE, ESPECIALLY WITH THE COST INCURRED BY CONSUMERS?

Engine

ODI #11217347

Incident: April 8, 2019 · Filed: June 2, 2019

ONLY 43,750 MILES AND THE ENGINE IS BEING COMPLETELY REBUILT. NEW CAM ADJUSTERS, NEW TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS, NEW TIMING CHAIN GUIDES... THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN ON A CAR WITH SUCH FEW MILES.

Engine

ODI #11092001

Incident: May 2, 2018 · Filed: May 4, 2018

I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STARTED TO SHUDDER AND LOSE POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO FLASH AND THE ENGINE STALLED. I WAS STOPPED IN A BUSY HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR. I EVENTUALLY GOT THE CAR TO A SAFE LOCATION AND PULLED THE TURBO AIR INTAKE TO INSPECT THE TURBO WITH A BORESCOPE. THE BANK 1 TURBO HAD DAMAGED ITSELF. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ON A CAR WITH ONLY 50,000 MILES.

Other Audi S8 model years

Check your 2015 Audi S8 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Audi S8 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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