AUDI S8 · model year

2015 AUDI S8

6 NHTSA complaints, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2015AUDIS8 carries 6 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2015 S8 is engine with 5 filings, followed by power train (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2015 S8. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

6
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

6 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: Not Rated/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE5
POWER TRAIN1

Recalls (4)

19V05700028/01/2019

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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.

18V43000025/06/2018

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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.

22V17800023/03/2022

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

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.

20V39700007/07/2020

STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD

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.

Recent Complaints

20240320POWER TRAIN

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

20230210ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 116,000

20220218ENGINE

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.

20210305ENGINE

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?

Mileage: 50,800

20190602ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 43,750

20180504ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 50,000

Compare 2015AUDIS8 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2015 AUDI S8 have?
The 2015 AUDI S8 has 6 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2015 AUDI S8?
The 2015 AUDI S8 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of Not Rated/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2015 AUDI S8?
Yes, the 2015 AUDI S8 has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 AUDI S8?
The most-complained component for the 2015 AUDI S8 is ENGINE with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2015 AUDI S8 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2015 AUDI S8 has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.