Research · Midsize Cars

2014 Audi S8Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 6 owner complaints for the 2014 Audi S8. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (2) and engine (2). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Mar 2022
Owner complaints
6
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$4,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling: turbo

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Mar 23, 2022NHTSA 22V178000

Structure: hood

Free remedy

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.

StructureReported Jul 7, 2020NHTSA 20V397000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jan 28, 2019NHTSA 19V057000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

6 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2019 – Mar 2024
  1. Engine and engine cooling2
  2. Engine2
  3. Visibility/wiper1
  4. Fuel/propulsion system1
  5. Other / unknown1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each S8 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20033
20073
20085
20092
201313
20146
20156
20166
20211
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

2 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2014 Audi S8. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the low oil warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. Upon visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed that the engine oil level was abnormally low, prompting him to add oil to the engine. However, afterwards the contact stated that the low oil warning light illuminated again, after which there was a burning odor inside the vehicle, and the vehicle lost significant motive power. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 18, 2024Engine and engine coolingODI 11578023

Engine

2 reports
“TURBOCHARGERS CAN FAILURE WITH NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING WHICH IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 8, 2019EngineODI 11218674

Visibility/wiper

1 report
“During our recent rains i discovered water dripping on me from the center overhead console at the top of the windshield. This totally distracted me while driving as I was shocked by it's sudden occurrence. The next day, I suspected sunroof drains and proceeded to chase a flexible line thru them in the front drains and tested with water, it drained fine and no evidence of dripping inside. Went out driving in the rain and discovered the leaking occurring again along the top of headliner/windshield junction at the passenger pillar and again in the center overhead console. Once again distracted to catch the leaks. A Safety concern! I heard wind-noise which changed in tone as I pressed against the windshield. I'm assessing the windshield has lost its bond to the weatherstrip components. I'm shocked to find this in a $127K luxury car and it's hard to not be distracted during inclement weather.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 17, 2023Visibility/wiperODI 11502263
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
4.0L 8-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
S8
Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
152618$4,400483
  • S8
    Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.0 L, Turbo
    15 city · 26 hwy · $4,400/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2014 Audi S8 as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 8773
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2014 S8 questions

How many recalls does the 2014 Audi S8 have?

5 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2014 Audi S8 problems?

Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (2), engine (2), visibility/wiper (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2014 Audi S8 get?

The EPA rates the 2014 Audi S8 at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026