2015 Audi S8 Safety Report
2015 Audi S8 Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2015 Audi S8
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2015 Audi S8. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (4) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (6) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Audi S8 with 1 complaints and 8 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2016 | Check the 2016 Audi S8 before buying across this generation. |
Audi S8 Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Audi S8 years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Audi S8 | 6 | 3 | Use as a comparable safety baseline. |
| 2021 Audi S8 | 1 | 8 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2015 Audi S8 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2015 Audi S8, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Audi onlyPower Train
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Audi onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2015 Audi S8
Reliability Score
The 2015 Audi S8 receives a reliability score of 87 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
Known Issues for the 2015 Audi S8
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2015 Audi S8:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling Water pump and thermostat design flaws can cause coolant leaks, leading to engine overheating and potential damage. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Fuel System Recalls for fuel delivery hoses, lines, and fittings have been issued, posing a risk of fuel leaks and fire hazards. |
High | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine Rebuild Engine rebuild at a relatively low mileage, indicating potential internal component issues. |
Low | Rare | 43,750 miles |
| Engine Shudder Sudden engine shudder and loss of power, accompanied by check engine light flashing. |
Medium | Common | 0 miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2015 Audi S8:
Engine issues are a common problem, affecting 23% of vehicles.
Fuel system issues are a common problem, affecting 15% of vehicles.
Cooling system issues are a common problem, affecting 10% of vehicles.
Electrical system issues are a common problem, affecting 5% of vehicles.
Recall Details for the 2015 Audi S8
The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2015 Audi S8 by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
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.
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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2015 Audi S8
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2015 Audi S8 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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 report...
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 oxyge...
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.
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 AUD...
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.
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 ...
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2015 Audi S8
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger
Opened 2021-03-29 · Closed 2022-05-27
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 ...
Component: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger
Opened 2022-04-04 · Closed 2023-05-26
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 t...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2015 Audi S8
Has the 2015 AUDI S8 been recalled?
Yes, the 2015 AUDI S8 has 4 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2015 AUDI S8 have?
The 2015 AUDI S8 has 6 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2015 AUDI S8?
The 2015 AUDI S8 does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 AUDI S8?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2015 AUDI S8 involve engine (5 complaints), power train (1 complaints).
How many crash reports does the 2015 AUDI S8 have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2015 AUDI S8 in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2015 AUDI S8 have?
There are no fire reports for the 2015 AUDI S8 in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2015 AUDI S8?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2015 AUDI S8.
How many injuries are reported for the 2015 AUDI S8?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2015 AUDI S8.
Should I buy a 2015 AUDI S8?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2015 AUDI S8 is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 6 complaints, 4 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2015 AUDI S8?
The components with the most failures on the 2015 AUDI S8 are: 1. ENGINE (5 complaints), 2. POWER TRAIN (1 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 5 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2015 AUDI S8?
Be cautious of engine and fuel system issues, as they can lead to significant problems and safety hazards. The 2015 AUDI S8 has 6 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2015 AUDI S8?
The 2015 AUDI S8 receives a reliability score of 87/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 6 owner complaints, 4 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine and Engine Cooling and Fuel System.
What are the known issues with the 2015 AUDI S8?
Known issues with the 2015 AUDI S8 include: Engine and Engine Cooling, Fuel System, Engine Rebuild, Engine Shudder. These are based on patterns found across 6 NHTSA complaints. 4 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2015 Audi S8?
Yes, recalls have been issued for engine and cooling system issues, as well as fuel system issues.
What are the common issues with the 2015 Audi S8?
Common issues include engine problems, fuel system issues, and cooling system problems.
How can I prevent engine overheating in my 2015 Audi S8?
Regularly check and replace the water pump and thermostat, and ensure proper coolant levels.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of engine and fuel system issues, as they can lead to significant problems and safety hazards.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2015 Audi S8
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2015 Audi S8. The data includes 6 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-13