Audi · Known Issues
2001-2026 Audi S8 Problems: 19 Known Issues
2001-2026 model years · 823+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
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2001-2026 model years · 823+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
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According to Au7o's analysis of 823+ owner reports, the 2001-2026 Audi S8 has 19 documented known issues, with 10 rated critical. The most serious are Adaptive Air Suspension Multi-Point Failure ($1,200-$4,500 repair), ZF 8-Speed Torque Converter and Valve Body Issues ($2,500-$6,000 repair), 4.0T Turbo Coolant System Degradation ($1,000-$3,500 repair), D2 4.2 V8 Timing Belt and Tensioner Service (Interference Engine) ($1,000-$2,500 repair), Water-to-Air Intercooler Internal Coolant Leak (Coolant into Intake) ($1,500-$3,500 repair), 2020-2026 S8 Rearview/Top-View Camera Image May Not Display - Recall 25V900, 2020-Early 2021 S8 Coolant-Pump Leak - Diagnosis Required, 2013-2016 S8 Porous Fuel-Pump Supply Line / Fire Risk - Recall 19V057, 2013-2017 S8 Blocked Turbocharger Oil Strainer / Stall Risk - Recall 22V178 and 5.2 V10 Timing Chain Tensioner / Guide Wear (D3 Cold-Start Rattle) ($2,500-$6,000 repair). The most commonly reported issue is Adaptive Air Suspension Multi-Point Failure with 292 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $200 to $6,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT:VIDEO (TOUCH)SCREEN/MONITOR/UNIT
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 AUDI A8, A6 Allroad, E-TRON Quattro, 2022 S3, RSQ8, RS7, RS6 Avant, Q8, Q7, Q3, E-TRON Sportback Quattro, S5 Cabriolet, E-TRON GT, S5 Sportback, A7, A6, A5 Sportback, A5 Cabriolet, A4, A4 Allroad, A3, S8, SQ7, SQ8, S6, and S4 vehicles. The infotainment main unit may become damaged internally when the vehicle is shut off, resulting in an inoperative rearview camera display the next time the vehicle is started. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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According to Au7o's analysis of 823+ owner reports, the 2001-2026 Audi S8 has 19 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Adaptive Air Suspension Multi-Point Failure, ZF 8-Speed Torque Converter and Valve Body Issues, 4.0T Turbo Coolant System Degradation. Of these, 10 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2001-2026 Audi S8 has 19 known issues documented across 823+ owner reports. 10 issues are rated critical: Adaptive Air Suspension Multi-Point Failure and ZF 8-Speed Torque Converter and Valve Body Issues and 4.0T Turbo Coolant System Degradation and D2 4.2 V8 Timing Belt and Tensioner Service (Interference Engine) and Water-to-Air Intercooler Internal Coolant Leak (Coolant into Intake) and 2020-2026 S8 Rearview/Top-View Camera Image May Not Display - Recall 25V900 and 2020-Early 2021 S8 Coolant-Pump Leak - Diagnosis Required and 2013-2016 S8 Porous Fuel-Pump Supply Line / Fire Risk - Recall 19V057 and 2013-2017 S8 Blocked Turbocharger Oil Strainer / Stall Risk - Recall 22V178 and 5.2 V10 Timing Chain Tensioner / Guide Wear (D3 Cold-Start Rattle). 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.
Repair costs for known Audi S8 issues range from $200 to $6,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Adaptive Air Suspension Multi-Point Failure, typically costs $1,200-$4,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
Reliability varies across model years of the Audi S8. Based on documented issues, problems 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 2001-2026 Audi S8 with 19 documented issues documented across 823+ owner reports.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2023 S8 and A8 vehicles. During air bag assembly, the front-passenger occupant protection flap of the air bag may not have been folded correctly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.
The S8 full-size luxury sedan places extreme demands on the air suspension system. All four struts and the compressor commonly need replacement between 60,000-100,000 miles. The heavy curb weight accelerates bladder wear. Repairs typically run $1,200-$4,500. Severity: high.
The S8 high-torque application stresses the ZF 8HP torque converter and valve body. Shudder, delayed shifts, and harsh engagement develop as the converter clutch wears and valve body solenoids degrade. Repairs typically run $2,500-$6,000. Severity: high.
The S8 4.0T V8 shares coolant line issues with other 4.0T Audi models but the heavier sedan and higher power tune accelerate wear. Turbo oil and coolant line failures can cause expensive damage if not caught early. Repairs typically run $1,000-$3,500. Severity: high.
The first-generation D2 S8 uses the 4.2L 40-valve V8, an interference engine driven by a timing belt (intake cams) plus chains (exhaust cams). The belt is a maintenance-critical, age-and-mileage-limited item: Audi specifies replacement around 105k miles, but many specialists reco… Repairs typically run $1,000-$2,500. Severity: high.
The 4.0T uses a compact water-to-air charge-air cooler mounted in the hot 'V' between the cylinder banks. The intercooler core can develop an internal leak that allows engine coolant to weep directly into the pressurized intake path. Owners report slow, unexplained coolant loss w… Repairs typically run $1,500-$3,500. Severity: high.
NHTSA recall 25V900 / Audi 90TV covers certain 2020-2026 S8 vehicles. Software may not be robust enough to recover a camera communication failure, so the rearview or Top View image may fail during a driving cycle and reduce rear visibility. This record is limited to 90TV and does… Severity: high.
Audi TSB 2065040/4 covers 2020 S8 vehicles and 2021 S8 vehicles through VIN 012194 with the 4.0 TFSI when a coolant warning, overheating or coolant loss is present and workshop diagnosis identifies the coolant pump as the leak source. It does not validate the former 2013-2018 the… Severity: high.
NHTSA recall 19V057 / Audi 20BM covers certain 2013-2016 S8 vehicles. The low-pressure supply line feeding the high-pressure fuel pump can become porous, causing fuel odor or leakage; fuel near an ignition source increases fire risk. The affected line is not itself a high-pressur… Severity: high.
NHTSA recall 22V178 / Audi 21H7 covers certain 2013-2017 S8 vehicles. Carbon or deposits can block the turbocharger oil-supply strainer, reducing bearing lubrication. Bearing wear can allow the turbine wheel to contact the housing or the shaft to break, causing loss of power or e… Severity: high.
The D3-generation S8 uses the 5.2L FSI V10 (shared lineage with the Lamborghini Gallardo/R8 V10). Its timing is driven by chains with plastic guides and hydraulic tensioners located at the rear of the engine. Over time and with deferred oil changes, the tensioners and guides wear… Repairs typically run $2,500-$6,000. Severity: high.
Audi TSB 2046724/5 covers sporadic warm-engine no-start or long cranking after the vehicle sits without fully cooling. A rich-mixture DTC may occur, but often there is no DTC. Audi’s procedure distinguishes fuel in the oil from a short-trip profile, ECM software, high-pressure in… Severity: medium.
Audi TSB 2036392/6 covers 2013-2015 S8 4.0 TFSI vehicles with vibration around 1000 and 3000 rpm and possible B201000 or B200500 in the sub-frame mount controller J931. Work on electrical-system controllers J519/J520 can deactivate J931 active-mount basic settings. The bulletin d… Severity: medium.
Audi TSB 2059363/4 covers an air-suspension malfunction on 2020-2024 S8 vehicles when the suspension controller stores C1260F0 for no communication with the compressor control unit or U112100 with symptom code 262400 for a missing message. The bulletin identifies the electrical p… Severity: medium.
Like other VAG direct-injection engines, the 4.0T runs port-bypassing direct injection, so no fuel washes the back of the intake valves. Carbon deposits accumulate on the valves and ports over time, restricting airflow and degrading the seal. Owners report a gradual power loss, r… Repairs typically run $600-$1,400. Severity: medium.
Audi Emissions Service Action 27BQ covers certain 2020 S8 vehicles. A defective starter-alternator may inhibit the start-stop system, increasing carbon-dioxide and other emissions while the vehicle is stopped, although Audi states that emissions remain within standards. This is a… Severity: medium.
Like other large Audi sedans, the S8 relies on sunroof drain channels and cowl/plenum drains to route rainwater away from the cabin and the electronics housed in the plenum area. The plastic drain connectors and channels become brittle and crack, and the plenum drains clog with d… Repairs typically run $200-$3,500. Severity: medium.
Audi TSB 2071114 applies to 2020-2023 S8 vehicles with the EA825 4.0L engine when the oil level is repeatedly low or measured consumption is excessive. Audi identifies a change to piston-ring geometry and an updated-ring production solution. This does not apply to the former 2013… Severity: medium.
Audi TSB 2040644/6 covers a metallic whistling or grinding sound at warm idle, a sporadic MIL and possible P2279 or P0507 on 4.0 TFSI vehicles. A leak in the crankcase breather pressure-regulating module can cause the condition. Audi’s labor table explicitly includes the S8. Severity: medium.
Audi TSB 2058489/8 covers 2020 S8 vehicles and 2021 S8 vehicles through VIN 028090 with squeaking, creaking or rumbling from the front over uneven roads, sometimes perceived in the footwell or behind the dashboard. The lower guide-link hydro-bushing can be the source, and Audi no… Severity: low.