2013 Audi S8 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other S8 years
- Far more complaints than other years 1st of 16 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 5 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Audi S8. That is the most of any S8 model year in the database (16 years). The most reported problem area is engine (11 complaints, 85%), typically at around 70,500 miles. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
- 13owner complaints
- 5safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2013 Audi S8 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 11 | 85% | 70,500 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 2 | 15% | — | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 8% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 1 | 8% | 58,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 8% | 58,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 8% | 61,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2013 Audi S8 recalls (5)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Structure:body:hood
Problem: 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.
Risk: If the seal contacts hot engine components, there could be an increased risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: 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.
Risk: Leaking fuel, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of fire.
Fix: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: 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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly
Problem: 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.
Risk: Should the sunroof's glass break while the vehicle is in use, the falling glass could injure the driver or passengers. It could also distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Engine Stall - Turbo Failure (EA22001) — opened Apr 4, 2022, closed May 26, 2023.
- Engine Stall - Turbo Failure (PE21009) — opened Mar 29, 2021, closed May 27, 2022, led to recall 22V178000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The windshield top gasket is not working and the glass can be easily pushed out an 1/8â. Wind can be heard while driving and when itâs raining water runs through steady stream. I was under the impression that the windshield is an integral part of the cars structure.
The dealer doesnât want to perform the recall due to branded title. They should though. Please look into it
Engine turbocharger experience catastrophic damage, engine stalled, power steering was disrupted.
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 car started bucking so badly that it became un-drivable. At this point we had to…
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 50mph, car engine shut off without warning and i lost steering and braking. I was…
Other Audi S8 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 S8 | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 S8 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 S8 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 S8 | 0 | 2 |
| 2022 S8 | 0 | 3 |
| 2021 S8 | 1 | 8 |
| 2020 S8 | 0 | 4 |
| 2018 S8 | 0 | 1 |
| 2017 S8 | 0 | 2 |
| 2016 S8 | 6 | 3 |
| 2015 S8 | 6 | 4 |
| 2014 S8 | 6 | 5 |
| 2013 | 13 | 5 |
| 2009 S8 | 2 | 1 |
| 2008 S8 | 5 | 1 |
| 2007 S8 | 3 | 1 |
See all Audi S8 problems by year, every Audi model, or the Audi VIN decoder.
Similar Audi models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Audi S8?
Owners most often report engine, unknown or other, fuel/propulsion system problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 11 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2013 Audi S8?
Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2013 Audi S8 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other S8 model years, the 2013 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.