2014 Audi S8

On March 29, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE 21-009) after the agency received 58 reports alleging engine stalling in 2013-2016MY Audi vehicle models A8, S6, S7, S8 & RS7 equipped with the 4.0L, twin-turbocharged engine. Complainants reported the vehicles would stall with no warning while driving at highway or city traffic speeds. Several of the complainants alleged an inability to restart. The complaints alleged the major contributing factor to the engine stalling was the failure of the turbochargers. The complaints cited the turbocharger failure was a result of oil starvation due to a clogged oil strainer in the turbocharger oil supply line.The location of the oil strainer in the turbocharger oil supply line is in the inner valley of the engine. It is not easily accessible, making servicing the component difficult. The oil strainer removes particles and carbon deposits from the oil before lubricating the turbochargers. Over time, if the debris is not removed from the oil strainer, it becomes clogged and prevents oil from flowing to the turbochargers. This causes the turbine bushings to run dry and overheat resulting in turbine shaft failure due to thermal stress.On April 04, 2022, PE21-009 was upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA22-001) to further assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety related consequences of the alleged defect. Volkswagen filed recall 22V-178 to replace the 30?m mesh oil strainer with a 90?m mesh oil strainer in the subject vehicles. VW introduced the larger mesh oil strainer into production in March of 2017 effecting the 2017-2018MY vehicles.ODI reviewed information from VW for vehicles that had the larger mesh installed in production. The data received showed, since the new oil strainer size of 90?m went into production for the 2017-2018MY, there has not been any reported incidents of turbocharger failures due to oil starvation or other failures that could be related to the larger screen mesh. In view of the recall being conducted by VW and lack of any detrimental side effect to the turbocharger caused by the larger mesh, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis (EA). The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.11502847,11506565,11494663,11488813,11486393,11480926,11479882,11476289,11466761 11464663,11463254,11460580,11460496,11458973,11458804,11457556,11454753,11452668 11452589,11452584,11452383,11452175,11452111,11451724,11451724,11450995,11450988 11449661,11447092,11443657,11442867,11440536,11440052,11439959,11438691,11436461 11435619,11433925,11433733,11432336,11431661,11431421,11429704,11429584,11428128 11426929,11424203,11423603,11423337,11422431,11421084,11420626,11420342,11419693 11418884,11418437,11418433,11418135,11417635,11417351,11416095,11414578,11414235 11414064,11413359,11413285,11413214,11407510,11407450,11406897,11406821,11406637 11406460,11406416,11406291,11406287,11406277,11406273,11406263,11406256,11406251 11406229,11406222,11406208,11406204,11406197,11406182,11406015,11404665,11404426 11404348,11403823,11403430,11403268,11402684,11399435,11397821,11396241,11394763 11391037

On March 29, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 21-009 after the agency received 58 reports alleging engine stalling in 2013-2016MY Audi vehicle models A8, S6, S7, S8 & RS7. The subject vehicles are equipped with 4.0L, twin-turbocharged engine. Complainants reported that the vehicles stall suddenly with no warning while driving on the highway or in city traffic. Several of the complainants alleged an inability to restart. The complaints allege the major contributing factor to the engine stalling is the failure of the turbochargers. The complaints further allege the turbocharger failure is a result of oil starvation due to a clogged oil strainer.The location of the oil strainer in the turbocharger oil supply line is in the inner valley of the engine. It is not easily accessible, making regular service difficult. The oil strainer removes dirty particles and carbon deposits from the oil before flowing to lubricate the Turbochargers. Overtime if the debris are not removed from the oil strainer, it clogs the strainer and prevents free flow of oil to the turbochargers and makes the turbine bushings to run dry and overheat which causes the turbine shaft to break due to thermal stress. In VW's response to ODI's Information Request letter, VW provided approximately 611 warranty claims with unique VINs, 70 Field Reports and 45 Consumer complaints. These reports allege engine stalling due to turbocharger failure similar to the NHTSA reports described above. To date, NHTSA has received approximately 98 allegations of stall due to turbocharger failures. The total of 824 reports shown in the table above eliminates duplicate reports received by both ODI and the manufacturer.This Preliminary Evaluation is being upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA) to further assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety related consequences of the alleged defect of engine stalling due to turbocharger failureThe ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.NHTSA.gov under the following ODI identification numbers:11452589, 11452584, 11452383, 11450995, 11450988, 11449661, 11447092, 11442867 11440536, 11440052, 11439959, 11438691, 11436461, 11435619, 11431661, 11429704 11429584, 11426929, 11424203, 11423603, 11423337, 11421084, 11420626, 11420342 11418884, 11418437, 11418433, 11417635, 11417351, 11416095, 11414235, 11413359 11413214, 11413285, 11413133, 11407510, 11407450, 11407289, 11406821, 11406416 11406291, 11406277, 11406273, 11406256, 11406251, 11406229, 11406222, 11406204 11406197, 11406182, 11404665, 11404426, 11404348, 11403430, 11403268, 11399435 11397821, 11396241, 11394763, 11391037, 11388662, 11387166, 11377446, 11363283 11354107, 11344193, 11342497, 11342360, 11340302, 11325065, 11324163, 11322168, 11321144, 11318477, 11306754, 11279429, 11268109, 11256706, 11252723, 11246579 11234853, 11234714, 11231582, 11231013, 11230589, 11229484, 11222281, 11218822 11218749, 11217604, 11209168, 11209142, 11197149, 11191243, 11175842, 11170776 11164032, 11152418.

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.

NHTSA ID

11578023

Incident

Mar 18, 2024

Mileage

58,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11502263

Incident

Jan 13, 2023

The contact owns a 2014 AUDI S8. The contact stated while driving 60MPH the vehicle began to vibrate violently from the engine compartment; the cabin filled up with smoke and the vehicle tailpipe began producing smoke. The contact was unable to pull over and manually moved the vehicle into the shoulder. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence, then the vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing turbo to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure and told the contact that they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA ID

11417635

Incident

Apr 18, 2021

Mileage

65,000 mi

FAULTY "OIL SCREEN" DESIGN HAS CAUSED TURBOS TO FAIL AND OTHER RELATED COMPONENTS. AUDI HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE ISSUE BECAUSE THERE WAS AN UPDATED SCREEN MADE TO REPLACE THE OLD DESIGN IN NEW CARS.

NHTSA ID

11361775

Incident

Sep 17, 2020

Mileage

58,900 mi

I ALREADY FILED COMPLAINT 11218674. THIS IS ADDING DETAIL. AUDI HAS ISSUED TSB 2044640/5 (HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2018/MC-10153123-9999.PDF) TO ADDRESS THE DAMAGE WHEN THIS VERY KNOWN ISSUE OCCURS. THE PROBLEM IDENTIFIED IN THE TSB IS THAT ORIGINAL PARTS REQUIRE REPLACEMENT (OIL SCREEN AND CHECK VALUE). SIGNIFICANTLY, THE ORIGINAL OIL SCREEN HAS BEEN RE-DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. THIS ENGINE FAILURE CAN CREATE AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR ALL VEHICLE OCCUPANTS WHEN THIS PROBLEM ARISES. THERE IS NO WARNING FOR WHEN THIS ISSUE WILL MANIFEST. FOR SOME IT HAPPENS AT SPEED ON FREEWAYS. FOR OTHERS IT HAPPENS IN INTERSECTIONS. DUE TO ZERO WARNING TO ALERT THE DRIVER TO GET OFF THE ROAD, THIS KNOWN CONDITION OF OIL SUPPLY FAILURE TO THE TURBO PUTS VEHICLE OCCUPANT IN UNSAFE SITUATIONS. AUDI SHOULD RECALL ALL APPLICABLE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE OIL SCREEN AND CHECK VALVE AS OUTLINED IN THEIR TSB. BY DOING SO, GREAT VEHICLE DAMAGE WILL BE AVOIDED AND THE ROADSIDE INCIDENCES CREATED BY THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT WILL STOP. ALL PASSENGERS OF IMPACTED VEHICLES COVERED BY THIS TSB ARE IN THREAT OF HARM UNTIL AUDI PROACTIVELY ADDRESSES THEIR DESIGN DEFECT BEFORE IN MANIFESTS ON THE ROAD. AUDI DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM (VIA THE TSB AND NO RECALL) AFTER IT OCCURS RATHER THAN PROACTIVELY PREVENTING IT DEVALUES THE SAFETY OF ITS CUSTOMERS. THIS BEHAVIOR ALSO CREATES A MUCH LARGER FINANCIAL BURDEN ON AUDI ITSELF WHEN THE TURBOS FAIL FOR CARS UNDER WARRANTY AND FOR ITS CUSTOMERS WHEN THE TURBOS FAIL FOR CARS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR AUDI IS TO ISSUE A RECALL. ITS CUSTOMERS WILL BE THANKFUL AND MORE ALIGNED WITH COMPANY AND ITS PRODUCTS IN THE FUTURE KNOWING THEY ARE VALUED.

NHTSA ID

11218701

Incident

Jun 8, 2019

Mileage

48,001 mi

TURBOCHARGERS CAN FAILURE WITH NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING WHICH IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD

NHTSA ID

11218674

Incident

Jun 7, 2019

Mileage

48,000 mi

This bulletin provides a statement regarding the bottleneck of supply for VW approved oil types VW 504.00 and VW 507.00.

This bulletin provides information when there is a film/visible rings on the clear glass cover of the headlight when the dipped beam is switched on.

This bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of vehicle in dynamic mode.

This bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the instrument cluster.

This bulleitn procides informaiton when tehre is a transmission warning mssage in the instrument cluster; P074100 is stored in the TCM.

This bulletin provides informaiton when the engine is not running smoothly, misfiring.