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2016 Audi S8 problems

The most common problem on the 2016 Audi S8 is brakes. Its complaint count is close to a typical S8 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
6
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
649
Worst area
Brakes

The worst 2016 Audi S8 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Brakes
    2
  • Driver assistance
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Transmission
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Brakes
    2
  • Driver assistance
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Transmission
    1

Recalls 3

Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/superchargerReported March 23, 2022 · 26,093 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.

Recall number 22V178000 · Recall details

Structure: body: hoodReported July 7, 2020 · 12,964 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.

Recall number 20V397000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported January 28, 2019 · 8,985 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.

Recall number 19V057000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2016 Audi S8

Defect investigations

Engine Stall - Turbo FailureOpened April 4, 2022, closed May 26, 2023

On March 29, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE 21-009) after the agency received 58 reports alleging engine stalling in 2013-2016MY Audi vehicle models A8, S6, S7, S8 & RS7 equipped with the 4.0L, twin-turbocharged engine. Complainants reported the vehicles would stall with no warning while driving at highway or city traffic speeds. Several of the complainants alleged an inability to restart. The complaints alleged the major contributing factor to the engine stalling was the failure of the turbochargers. The complaints cited the turbocharger failure was a result of oil starvation due to a clogged oil strainer in the turbocharger oil supply line.The location of the oil strainer in the turbocharger oil supply line is in the inner valley of the engine. It is not easily accessible, making servicing the component difficult. The oil strainer removes particles and carbon deposits from the oil before lubricating the turbochargers. Over time, if the debris is not removed from the oil strainer, it becomes clogged and prevents oil from flowing to the turbochargers. This causes the turbine bushings to run dry and overheat resulting in turbine shaft failure due to thermal stress.On April 04, 2022, PE21-009 was upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA22-001) to further assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety related consequences of the alleged defect. Volkswagen filed recall 22V‑178 to replace the 30?m mesh oil strainer with a 90?m mesh oil strainer in the subject vehicles. VW introduced the larger mesh oil strainer into production in March of 2017 effecting the 2017-2018MY vehicles.ODI reviewed information from VW for vehicles that had the larger mesh installed in production. The data received showed, since the new oil strainer size of 90?m went into production for the 2017-2018MY, there has not been any reported incidents of turbocharger failures due to oil starvation or other failures that could be related to the larger screen mesh. In view of the recall being conducted by VW and lack of any detrimental side effect to the turbocharger caused by the larger mesh, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis (EA). The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.11502847,11506565,11494663,11488813,11486393,11480926,11479882,11476289,11466761 11464663,11463254,11460580,11460496,11458973,11458804,11457556,11454753,11452668 11452589,11452584,11452383,11452175,11452111,11451724,11451724,11450995,11450988 11449661,11447092,11443657,11442867,11440536,11440052,11439959,11438691,11436461 11435619,11433925,11433733,11432336,11431661,11431421,11429704,11429584,11428128 11426929,11424203,11423603,11423337,11422431,11421084,11420626,11420342,11419693 11418884,11418437,11418433,11418135,11417635,11417351,11416095,11414578,11414235 11414064,11413359,11413285,11413214,11407510,11407450,11406897,11406821,11406637 11406460,11406416,11406291,11406287,11406277,11406273,11406263,11406256,11406251 11406229,11406222,11406208,11406204,11406197,11406182,11406015,11404665,11404426 11404348,11403823,11403430,11403268,11402684,11399435,11397821,11396241,11394763 11391037

EA22001

Engine Stall - Turbo FailureOpened March 29, 2021, closed May 27, 2022

On March 29, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 21-009 after the agency received 58 reports alleging engine stalling in 2013-2016MY Audi vehicle models A8, S6, S7, S8 & RS7. The subject vehicles are equipped with 4.0L, twin-turbocharged engine. Complainants reported that the vehicles stall suddenly with no warning while driving on the highway or in city traffic. Several of the complainants alleged an inability to restart. The complaints allege the major contributing factor to the engine stalling is the failure of the turbochargers. The complaints further allege the turbocharger failure is a result of oil starvation due to a clogged oil strainer.The location of the oil strainer in the turbocharger oil supply line is in the inner valley of the engine. It is not easily accessible, making regular service difficult. The oil strainer removes dirty particles and carbon deposits from the oil before flowing to lubricate the Turbochargers. Overtime if the debris are not removed from the oil strainer, it clogs the strainer and prevents free flow of oil to the turbochargers and makes the turbine bushings to run dry and overheat which causes the turbine shaft to break due to thermal stress. In VW's response to ODI's Information Request letter, VW provided approximately 611 warranty claims with unique VINs, 70 Field Reports and 45 Consumer complaints. These reports allege engine stalling due to turbocharger failure similar to the federal safety agency reports described above. To date, the federal safety agency has received approximately 98 allegations of stall due to turbocharger failures. The total of 824 reports shown in the table above eliminates duplicate reports received by both ODI and the manufacturer.This Preliminary Evaluation is being upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA) to further assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety related consequences of the alleged defect of engine stalling due to turbocharger failureThe ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at under the following ODI identification numbers:11452589, 11452584, 11452383, 11450995, 11450988, 11449661, 11447092, 11442867 11440536, 11440052, 11439959, 11438691, 11436461, 11435619, 11431661, 11429704 11429584, 11426929, 11424203, 11423603, 11423337, 11421084, 11420626, 11420342 11418884, 11418437, 11418433, 11417635, 11417351, 11416095, 11414235, 11413359 11413214, 11413285, 11413133, 11407510, 11407450, 11407289, 11406821, 11406416 11406291, 11406277, 11406273, 11406256, 11406251, 11406229, 11406222, 11406204 11406197, 11406182, 11404665, 11404426, 11404348, 11403430, 11403268, 11399435 11397821, 11396241, 11394763, 11391037, 11388662, 11387166, 11377446, 11363283 11354107, 11344193, 11342497, 11342360, 11340302, 11325065, 11324163, 11322168, 11321144, 11318477, 11306754, 11279429, 11268109, 11256706, 11252723, 11246579 11234853, 11234714, 11231582, 11231013, 11230589, 11229484, 11222281, 11218822 11218749, 11217604, 11209168, 11209142, 11197149, 11191243, 11175842, 11170776 11164032, 11152418.

PE21009

Technical service bulletins for the 2016 Audi S8 649

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 649 bulletins for the 2016 Audi S8

What 2016 Audi S8 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 24, 2019 · Brakes · 37,500 miles · VA

I started the car last friday, 11/15/2019 and got a bunch of system errors popping up one right after the other. I drove the car to get to a safe parking spot and noticed the steering wheel totally off center about 70 degrees counter clockwise. I am not sure if the two (accident/calibration and the faults) connected or if this is just a coincidence. I did not take any notes of the faults at that time because I didn't have my phone or anything to write with. Now, today, I started to drive home from work and was doing about 60 MPH and the same thing happened. It was scary as hell having the steering wheel go completely off center and have the suspension hard as a rock. However, this time I did drive to a safe place and video taped the faults. The actual fault is: acc and audi braking guard: unavailable. This has happened on 11/15/2019, 11/18/2019, and 11/23/2019. First incident happened soon after I started the car. The second happened while I was on the parkway traveling 60 MPH. The third happened right off the highway traveling about 25 MPH.

Filed Nov 24, 2019 · 37,500 miles · VA

I started the car last friday, 11/15/2019 and got a bunch of system errors popping up one right after the other. I drove the car to get to a safe parking spot and noticed the steering wheel totally off center about 70 degrees counter clockwise. I am not sure if the two (accident/calibration and the faults) connected or if this is just a coincidence. I did not take any notes of the faults at that time because I didn't have my phone or anything to write with. Now, today, I started to drive home from work and was doing about 60 MPH and the same thing happened. It was scary as hell having the steering wheel go completely off center and have the suspension hard as a rock. However, this time I did drive to a safe place and video taped the faults. The actual fault is: hill-start assist: unavailable. This has happened on 11/15/2019, 11/18/2019, and 11/23/2019. First incident happened soon after I started the car. The second happened while I was on the parkway traveling 60 MPH. The third happened right off the highway traveling about 25 MPH.

Filed Nov 24, 2019 · Driver assistance · 37,500 miles · VA

I started the car last friday, 11/15/2019 and got a bunch of system errors popping up one right after the other. I drove the car to get to a safe parking spot and noticed the steering wheel totally off center about 70 degrees counter clockwise. I am not sure if the two (accident/calibration and the faults) connected or if this is just a coincidence. I did not take any notes of the faults at that time because I didn't have my phone or anything to write with. Now, today, I started to drive home from work and was doing about 60 MPH and the same thing happened. It was scary as hell having the steering wheel go completely off center and have the suspension hard as a rock. However, this time I did drive to a safe place and video taped the faults. The actual fault is: stabilization control (ESC): fault! See owner's manual. This has happened on 11/15/2019, 11/18/2019, and 11/23/2019. First incident happened soon after I started the car. The second happened while I was on the parkway traveling 60 MPH. The third happened right off the highway traveling about 25 MPH.

Filed Nov 24, 2019 · Suspension · 37,500 miles · VA

I started the car last friday, 11/15/2019 and got a bunch of system errors popping up one right after the other. I drove the car to get to a safe parking spot and noticed the steering wheel totally off center about 70 degrees counter clockwise. I am not sure if the two (accident/calibration and the faults) connected or if this is just a coincidence. I did not take any notes of the faults at that time because I didn't have my phone or anything to write with. Now, today, I started to drive home from work and was doing about 60 MPH and the same thing happened. It was scary as hell having the steering wheel go completely off center and have the suspension hard as a rock. However, this time I did drive to a safe place and video taped the faults. The actual fault is: air suspension: system fault. This has happened on 11/15/2019, 11/18/2019, and 11/23/2019. First incident happened soon after I started the car. The second happened while I was on the parkway traveling 60 MPH. The third happened right off the highway traveling about 25 MPH.

Filed Nov 24, 2019 · Transmission · 37,500 miles · VA

I started the car last friday, 11/15/2019 and got a bunch of system errors popping up one right after the other. I drove the car to get to a safe parking spot and noticed the steering wheel totally off center about 70 degrees counter clockwise. I am not sure if the two (accident/calibration and the faults) connected or if this is just a coincidence. I did not take any notes of the faults at that time because I didn't have my phone or anything to write with. Now, today, I started to drive home from work and was doing about 60 MPH and the same thing happened. It was scary as hell having the steering wheel go completely off center and have the suspension hard as a rock. However, this time I did drive to a safe place and video taped the faults. The actual fault is: sport differential: system fault. This has happened on 11/15/2019, 11/18/2019, and 11/23/2019. First incident happened soon after I started the car. The second happened while I was on the parkway traveling 60 MPH. The third happened right off the highway traveling about 25 MPH.

Filed Nov 24, 2019 · Brakes, Steering · 37,500 miles · VA

I started the car last friday, 11/15/2019 and got a bunch of system errors popping up one right after the other. I drove the car to get to a safe parking spot and noticed the steering wheel totally off center about 70 degrees counter clockwise. I am not sure if the two (accident/calibration and the faults) connected or if this is just a coincidence. I did not take any notes of the faults at that time because I didn't have my phone or anything to write with. Now, today, I started to drive home from work and was doing about 60 MPH and the same thing happened. It was scary as hell having the steering wheel go completely off center and have the suspension hard as a rock. However, this time I did drive to a safe place and video taped the faults. The actual fault is: steering: system fault you can continue driving. This has happened on 11/15/2019, 11/18/2019, and 11/23/2019. First incident happened soon after I started the car. The second happened while I was on the parkway traveling 60 MPH. The third happened right off the highway traveling about 25 MPH.

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Questions about the 2016 Audi S8

Is the 2016 Audi S8 reliable?

Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2016 Audi S8, close to a typical S8 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2016 Audi S8?

Brakes, with 2 complaints. Next is driver assistance (1).

How many recalls does the 2016 Audi S8 have?

3 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling, structure and fuel system, gasoline.

Share your experience with the 2016 Audi S8

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