Audi S8 problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 13 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 1 category with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The dealer doesn’t want to perform the recall due to branded title. They should though. Please look into it
The car was running rough for a couple weeks; hesitant to accelerate, failed to start multiple times and idled rough. One day I was coming home from my hour long commute, I put the car in reverse in my driveway and the car started bucking so badly that it became un-drivable. At…
While driving on the main highway, my car engine shut off. I had dysfunctional brake and steering failure. Brake was hardly working and I had to use all my strength to control steering. Basically, while driving at 50mph, car engine shut off without warning and I lost steering…
Turbos failed, car stalled and will not start unless giving it gas. Down on power and performance. Check engine light came on
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2013 Audi S8 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.8 out of 10 based on 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Audi S8 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2013 Audi S8?
On the NHTSA data, the 2013 Audi S8 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Audi S8?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 9 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 81,325 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 81,325 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Audi S8 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Audi S8?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 13 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.