2015 Audi S8
The Verdict
The 2015 Audi S8 has 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (5 complaints) and transmission (1 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 99/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Audi S8, consider the 2021 model year which has 83% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2021 has 83% fewer complaints
View the 2021 Audi S8 dashboard →
Klunk Score: Smooth Ride
This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
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
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.
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 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?
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 A CAR WITH ONLY 50,000 MILES.