2016 Audi S8 Safety Report
2016 Audi S8 Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Audi S8
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 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 (3) | 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 | Steering,Service Brakes | Compare steering,service brakes issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Audi S8 with 1 complaints and 8 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Audi S8 | 6 | 4 | Use as a comparable safety baseline. |
| 2021 Audi S8 | 1 | 8 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2016 Audi S8 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 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.
Steering,Service Brakes
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering,Service Brakes issues Audi onlyPower Train
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Audi onlySuspension
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Suspension issues Audi onlyElectronic Stability Control (Esc)
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electronic Stability Control (Esc) issues Audi onlyUnknown Or Other
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Audi onlyService Brakes
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Audi onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Audi S8
Reliability Score
The 2016 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 2016 Audi S8
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Audi S8:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling Recalled by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for potential engine and cooling issues. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery Recalled by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for potential fuel hose and line issues. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering And Service Brakes Multiple reports of system errors affecting these critical systems. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) Reported as a single issue, but frequency is relatively low. |
Low | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Audi S8:
Engine and cooling issues were the most common problem reported.
Recall Details for the 2016 Audi S8
The following 3 recalls have been issued for the 2016 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Audi S8
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Audi S8 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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 T...
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 T...
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 T...
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 T...
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 T...
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 T...
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2016 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 2016 Audi S8
Has the 2016 AUDI S8 been recalled?
Yes, the 2016 AUDI S8 has 3 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2016 AUDI S8 have?
The 2016 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 2016 AUDI S8?
The 2016 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 2016 AUDI S8?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 AUDI S8 involve steering,service brakes (1 complaints), power train (1 complaints), suspension (1 complaints). Other affected components include electronic stability control (esc), unknown or other, service brakes.
How many crash reports does the 2016 AUDI S8 have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2016 AUDI S8 in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2016 AUDI S8 have?
There are no fire reports for the 2016 AUDI S8 in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 AUDI S8?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 AUDI S8.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 AUDI S8?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 AUDI S8.
Should I buy a 2016 AUDI S8?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 AUDI S8 is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 6 complaints, 3 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 AUDI S8?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 AUDI S8 are: 1. STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints), 2. POWER TRAIN (1 complaints), 3. SUSPENSION (1 complaints), 4. ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) (1 complaints), 5. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1 complaints). STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES is the single most-reported problem area with 1 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 AUDI S8?
Be cautious of system errors and engine cooling issues. Ensure regular maintenance to avoid potential failures. The 2016 AUDI S8 has 6 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2016 AUDI S8?
The 2016 AUDI S8 receives a reliability score of 87/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 6 owner complaints, 3 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine and Engine Cooling and Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery.
What are the known issues with the 2016 AUDI S8?
Known issues with the 2016 AUDI S8 include: Engine and Engine Cooling, Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery, Steering and Service Brakes, Electronic Stability Control (ESC). These are based on patterns found across 6 NHTSA complaints. 3 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 Audi S8?
Yes, recalls have been issued for engine cooling and fuel system issues.
What are the most common issues reported?
The most common issues are engine and cooling problems, followed by fuel system issues.
Can system errors affect the safety of the vehicle?
Yes, system errors, especially in critical systems like steering and brakes, can affect vehicle safety.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of system errors and engine cooling issues. Ensure regular maintenance to avoid potential failures.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Audi S8
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Audi S8. The data includes 6 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 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