2016 Audi S8
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2016 Audi S8 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 13 on record.
2016 Audi S8 at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
2016 Audi S8 recalls 3
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.
Fix: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
2016 Audi S8 common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
2016 Audi S8 MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2016 Audi S8 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2016 Audi S8. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 2
Engine Stall - Turbo Failure Closed
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…
NHTSA #EA22001 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened Apr 2022 · closed May 2023Engine Stall - Turbo Failure Closed
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…
NHTSA #PE21009 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened Mar 2021 · closed May 2022An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 642
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 642.
This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
Bulletin TSB_2052680_2 · Sep 2026This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
Bulletin TSB_2083409_1 · Sep 2026This bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning.
Bulletin TSB_2020552_15 · Visibility/wiper · Sep 2026This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
Bulletin TSB_2074846_5 · Steering · Sep 2026This bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.
Bulletin TSB_2030471_9 · Sep 2026This bulletin provides infomraiton abou the Audi frequency analysis application, which is available in the App Store for Android and Apple phones.
Bulletin TSB_2051095_12 · Sep 2026This TSB describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases.
Bulletin TSB_2068999_5 · Structure · Sep 2026This bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.
Bulletin TSB_2074436_3 · Aug 2026This bulletin provides information for all models regarding brake sounds.
Bulletin TSB_2069904_3 · Service Brakes · Aug 2026This bulletin provides information when there is corrosion on the friction survace of steel brake discs.
Bulletin TSB_2067132_4 · Service Brakes · Aug 2026Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the S8 AWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 3
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2016 Audi S8. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Engine
Issue: On certain vehicles, the oil strainer for the turbocharger oil supply could get blocked. If this happens, a turbocharger could fail. This could cause loss of engine power and/or cause the engine to stall. Note: This problem could cause different warning messages to display or the engine oil warning light to turn on. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increa…
Transport Canada #2022133 · Mar 2022Structure
Issue: On certain vehicles, the engine compartment seal may become loose over time and fall into the engine compartment. If this happens, the seal could contact a hot surface in the engine compartment. Safety Risk: A rubber seal that falls onto a hot surface could cause a fire. Corrective Action: The company will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to…
Transport Canada #2020308 · Jul 2020Fuel System
Issue: On certain vehicles, the fuel line to the high-pressure fuel pump could leak. This may cause a gasoline odour or leak. Safety Risk: Leaking fuel, in the presence of an ignition source, creates the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer for repair. A fuel pressure damper will…
Transport Canada #2019040 · Jan 2019Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Audi S8
The Audi S8 is a full-size luxury car produced by the German automaker Audi AG, manufactured by Audi Sport GmbH at the Neckarsulm plant, and part of Audi's S model range. The S8 is the high-performance version of the Audi A8, fitted standard with Audi's quattro all-wheel drive system, and was only offered with a short-wheelbase for the first three generations, being joined by a long-wheelbase variant option for the fourth generation.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
2016 Audi S8 vehicles on record
2016 Audi S8WUAJ5AFD9GN900093
2016 Audi S8WUAZZZ4H2HN900580
2016 Audi S8WUAJ5AFD6GN901072
2016 Audi S8WUAZZZ4H1GN900486
2016 Audi S8WUAJ5AFD9GN901034
2016 Audi S8WAUZZZ4H2HN004273
2016 Audi S8WUAZZZ4H6HN900193
2016 Audi S8WUAZZZ4H8HN900485
2016 Audi S8WUAZZZ4H2HN900658
2016 Audi S8WUAZZZ4H2HN900529
2016 Audi S8WUAZZZ4HXGN900910
2016 Audi S8WUAZZZ4H0GN901094
2016 Audi S8WUAZZZ4H5GN900877