Audi S8 Recalls (2013-2026)
The Audi S8 has been the subject of 15 recall campaigns on record with NHTSA across the 2013 to 2026 model years. They cluster mostly around the back over prevention, engine and engine cooling, and suspension.
The Audi S8 scores 91 out of 100 (grade A), one of the cleaner recall records among the vehicles we track. That score reflects how serious the recalls are rather than how many. 53% involve a critical safety system, none carried a do-not-drive warning, and 20% were issued in the last three years. How the score works.
Those 15 campaigns span 13 model years of the Audi S8. The single largest affected 356,894 vehicles, over back over prevention. A recall repair is free at a franchised dealer and most never expire, so an older open recall is still worth fixing. Beyond recalls, you can also see the most common S8 problems owners report.
The full record is below, grouped first by model year and then listed in detail. Each entry gives the defect NHTSA describes, the safety risk it creates, the manufacturer's remedy, the number of vehicles in that campaign, and the dates. A recall covers a whole production run, so a campaign listed for the Audi S8 may not apply to your exact vehicle, and one you have already had repaired will still appear in the history. To see what is actually open and unfixed on a specific car, check its 17-digit VIN.
Audi S8 recalls by model year
Recall activity by model year. Select a year to jump to its recalls below. Older years often carry more recalls simply because defects surface over time.
Audi S8 recalls by affected system
Which vehicle systems the recalls touch, using NHTSA's component groups. Select a system to see how it is recalled across every make and model.
Recalls by model year
2026 Audi S8 Recalls
1 recall affects the 2026 Audi S8, involving the back over prevention.
2025 Audi S8 Recalls
1 recall affects the 2025 Audi S8, involving the back over prevention.
2024 Audi S8 Recalls
1 recall affects the 2024 Audi S8, involving the back over prevention.
2023 Audi S8 Recalls
2 recalls affect the 2023 Audi S8, involving the back over prevention and air bags.
2022 Audi S8 Recalls
3 recalls affect the 2022 Audi S8, involving the back over prevention, air bags, and equipment.
2021 Audi S8 Recalls
8 recalls affect the 2021 Audi S8, involving the back over prevention, suspension, and electrical system.
2020 Audi S8 Recalls
4 recalls affect the 2020 Audi S8, involving the suspension, back over prevention, and tires.
2017 Audi S8 Recalls
2 recalls affect the 2017 Audi S8, involving the engine and engine cooling and structure.
2016 Audi S8 Recalls
3 recalls affect the 2016 Audi S8, involving the engine and engine cooling, structure, and fuel system.
2015 Audi S8 Recalls
4 recalls affect the 2015 Audi S8, involving the fuel system, engine and engine cooling, and structure.
2014 Audi S8 Recalls
5 recalls affect the 2014 Audi S8, involving the fuel system, engine and engine cooling, and structure.
2013 Audi S8 Recalls
5 recalls affect the 2013 Audi S8, involving the fuel system, engine and engine cooling, and structure.
Every Audi S8 recall in detail
Select any recall to read the full defect, risk, and remedy text. Do Not Drive and Park Outside warnings stay visible without opening anything.
Back Over Prevention
- Affected years
- 2020-2026 Audi S8
- Vehicles in this recall
- 356,894
- Reported
- Dec 19, 2025
- Owners notified
- Jan 14, 2026
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.
NHTSA campaign number 25V900000.
Electrical System
- Affected years
- 2021 Audi S8
- Vehicles in this recall
- 44,387
- Reported
- Mar 31, 2025
- Owners notified
- Apr 24, 2025
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 SQ8, A6 SEDAN, A7, A8, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S6 SEDAN, S7, S8, A6 Allroad, and SQ7 vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail.
Risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90VC.
NHTSA campaign number 25V201000.
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2022-2023 Audi S8
- Vehicles in this recall
- 1,047
- Reported
- Feb 15, 2023
- Owners notified
- Apr 13, 2023
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2023 S8 and A8 vehicles. During air bag assembly, the front-passenger occupant protection flap of the air bag may not have been folded correctly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: In a crash, an incorrectly folded air bag can deploy with too much force, increasing the risk of injury to a child or small person who is seated and unbelted on the front passenger seat and very close to the instrument panel.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front-passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 14, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69ET.
NHTSA campaign number 23V084000.
Back Over Prevention
- Affected years
- 2022 Audi S8
- Vehicles in this recall
- 6,076
- Reported
- Oct 26, 2022
- Owners notified
- Jun 6, 2023
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 AUDI A8, A6 Allroad, E-TRON Quattro, 2022 S3, RSQ8, RS7, RS6 Avant, Q8, Q7, Q3, E-TRON Sportback Quattro, S5 Cabriolet, E-TRON GT, S5 Sportback, A7, A6, A5 Sportback, A5 Cabriolet, A4, A4 Allroad, A3, S8, SQ7, SQ8, S6, and S4 vehicles. The infotainment main unit may become damaged internally when the vehicle is shut off, resulting in an inoperative rearview camera display the next time the vehicle is started. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the infotainment main unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91Ei.
NHTSA campaign number 22V806000.
Back Over Prevention
- Affected years
- 2021 Audi S8
- Vehicles in this recall
- 170,296
- Reported
- Oct 5, 2022
- Owners notified
- Oct 25, 2022
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.
NHTSA campaign number 22V742000.
Engine And Engine Cooling
- Affected years
- 2013-2017 Audi S8
- Vehicles in this recall
- 26,093
- Reported
- Mar 23, 2022
- Owners notified
- Aug 4, 2022
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
NHTSA campaign number 22V178000.
Suspension
- Affected years
- 2020-2021 Audi S8
- Vehicles in this recall
- 31,058
- Reported
- Jan 26, 2022
- Owners notified
- Mar 3, 2022
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
Risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
NHTSA campaign number 22V034000.
Back Over Prevention
- Affected years
- 2021 Audi S8
- Vehicles in this recall
- 2,857
- Reported
- Oct 20, 2021
- Owners notified
- Nov 9, 2021
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8 and S8, 2022 Audi A5 Sportback, A4 Sedan, E-Tron GT, Q3, Q5, RS6 Avant, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RSQ8, SQ7, SQ8, and S3 Sedan vehicles. A software error may prevent the rear-view image from initially displaying when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A rear-view camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment unit parameters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 9, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91CR.
NHTSA campaign number 21V825000.
Seat Belts
- Affected years
- 2021 Audi S8
- Vehicles in this recall
- 45,496
- Reported
- Aug 5, 2021
- Owners notified
- Aug 27, 2021
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).
NHTSA campaign number 21V606000.
Suspension
- Affected years
- 2020-2021 Audi S8
- Vehicles in this recall
- 40,993
- Reported
- Apr 26, 2021
- Owners notified
- Jun 4, 2021
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
Risk: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
NHTSA campaign number 21V295000.
Engine
- Affected years
- 2020-2021 Audi S8
- Vehicles in this recall
- 238
- Reported
- Feb 24, 2021
- Owners notified
- Mar 12, 2021
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A8 and 2020-2021 Audi S8 vehicles. A missing sealing pin may allow moisture to enter the engine control module connector, possibly causing a control module malfunction.
Risk: An engine control module malfunction may cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine control module connector for a missing sealing pin, and install it, if necessary. The connector will also be inspected for corrosion, and replaced as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 12, 20121. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 97EV.
NHTSA campaign number 21V111000.
Structure
- Affected years
- 2013-2018 Audi S8
- Vehicles in this recall
- 12,964
- Reported
- Jul 7, 2020
- Owners notified
- Sep 4, 2020
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
NHTSA campaign number 20V397000.
Fuel System
- Affected years
- 2013-2016 Audi S8
- Vehicles in this recall
- 8,985
- Reported
- Jan 28, 2019
- Owners notified
- Feb 21, 2019
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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 campaign number 19V057000.
Fuel System
- Affected years
- 2013-2015 Audi S8
- Vehicles in this recall
- 6,633
- Reported
- Jun 25, 2018
- Owners notified
- Jul 20, 2018
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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 campaign number 18V430000.
Visibility
- Affected years
- 2013-2014 Audi S8
- Vehicles in this recall
- 1,120
- Reported
- Sep 23, 2013
- Owners notified
- Oct 21, 2013
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Audi A8 and S8 vehicles equipped with a standard sunroof, manufactured March 12, 2013, through July 15, 2013. These vehicles are equipped with a standard sunroof glass panel that may shatter.
Risk: Should the sunroof's glass break while the vehicle is in use, the falling glass could injure the driver or passengers. It could also distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof glass panel, free of charge. The recall began on October 21, 2013. Owners may contact Audi of America at 1-800-822-2834. Volkwagen's number for this campaign is 60B6/1L.
NHTSA campaign number 13V448000.
Common questions about Audi S8 recalls
- Does the Audi S8 have any recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA has 15 recall campaigns on record for the Audi S8 across the 2013 to 2026 model years. The most common areas are the back over prevention, engine and engine cooling, and suspension.
- How many times has the Audi S8 been recalled?
- The Audi S8 has 15 recall campaigns from the 2013 to 2026 model years. A single campaign often covers several model years at once, so the number of recalls is not the same as the number of years affected.
- What is the most serious Audi S8 recall?
- The most serious recall on record involves the back over prevention, affecting 356,894 vehicles. A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Which Audi S8 model year has the most recalls?
- The 2021 Audi S8 has the most, with 8 recall campaigns on record. Older model years often pick up more recalls over time, since defects can surface years after a car is built.
- How do I check if my Audi S8 has an open recall?
- Enter your 17-digit VIN on the recall check page. It returns the recalls tied to your exact vehicle straight from NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer, with no expiration on most safety recalls.
Recall data comes from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. For how it is sourced and how the safety score is built, see the methodology and data sources. This page is a reference, not legal or safety advice.