RoadVitals

2008 Audi S8

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
5
Latest Dec 10, 2024
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Jun 9, 2016
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Audi S8, most frequently naming the visibility, driver assistance and fuel system categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 200 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Visibility466.7%
  • Driver assistance116.7%
  • Fuel system116.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
16V415000

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

Jun 9, 2016
536 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Audi A8 and S8 vehicles. The sunroof glass on the affected vehicles may not be properly secured to the sunroof frame. As a result, the sunroof glass may detach from the car while driving.
The risk: If the glass detaches from the sunroof frame it could be come a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install additional adhesive between the sunroof glass and frame, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in August 4, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 60C3.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 60C3View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Visibility
Filed Dec 10, 2024

There is a possibility that the sunroof glass may detach from the vehicle's frame, posing a road hazard and increasing the risk of an accident.

NHTSA ID
11629803
Incident
Nov 21, 2024
Visibility
Filed Jan 12, 2022

The contact owns a 2008 Audi S8. The vehicle had previously been serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V415000 (Visibility). The contact stated that while driving at 85 MPH, the sunroof glass detached from the sunroof frame. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and the contact was awaiting a callback. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000. Vehicle has been repaired.

NHTSA ID
11447161
Incident
Jan 11, 2022
Mileage
114,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Jun 28, 2020

AFTER A PERIOD OF ACCELERATION ON THE HIGHWAY, THE GAS PEDAL WAS RELEASED, BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE OUT OF CONTROL. APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT STOP THE CAR, AND THE ACCELERATION STOPPED ONLY AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON.

NHTSA ID
11331276
Incident
Jan 15, 2020
Mileage
25,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Dec 19, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI S8. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, A SUDDEN BOOMING SOUND WAS HEARD. THROUGH THE REARVIEW MIRROR, THE DRIVER COULD SEE THAT THE GLASS SUN ROOF WAS AIRBORNE. AFTER STOPPING TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER DISCOVERED THAT THE GLASS SUN ROOF HAD DETACHED FROM THE ROOF. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. AUDI OF OWINGS MILL(9804 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILL, MD) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V415000 (VISIBILITY). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID
11290027
Incident
Dec 18, 2019
Mileage
140,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Dec 18, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI S8. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, A BOOMING SOUND WAS HEARD AND THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE GLASS SUN ROOF DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND WAS AIRBORNE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. AUDI OF OWINGS MILL (9804 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILL, MD) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V415000 (VISIBILITY). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID
11289917
Incident
Dec 18, 2019
Mileage
140,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

A5724422025031_3

STRUCTURE:BODY

This bulletin provides information when the exterior trunk handle is inoperative.

A5724422025031_3

STRUCTURE:BODY

This bulletin provides information when the exterior trunk handle is inoperative.

A9124632044694_3

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

This bulletin provides information pertaining to MMI Navigation database concerns.

A912306202432310

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:PARKING ASSIST:SENSORS; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:PARKING ASSIST:SOFTWARE

This bulletin provides information when the parking assistance provides false warnings.

A9023562032113_8

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

This bulletin provides general information about the outside air temperature reading.

A0023812070568_2

EQUIPMENT

This bulletin provides information on the VAS 611 015 PICO-NVH tool for professional noise analysis.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Audi S8 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027000—
2026010—
2025010—
2024010—
2023020—
2022030—
2021180—
2020040—
2019000—
2018010—
2017020—
2016632—
2015642—
2014652—
2013135251.4
2012000—
2011000—
2010000—
2009210—
2008Viewing510—
2007310—
2003000—
2002000—
2001000—
2000000—
1999000—
1998000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.