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Audi S8 VIN Check

NHTSA holds 41 owner complaints on the Audi S8 from 26 production runs; the worst run has 6, the typical one 1.6.

NHTSA complaint records · 41 complaints · 26 runs · 2007–2021 · Updated Nov 3, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported S8 run is WUAJ5AFD8GN (2016 builds) with 6 complaints, 3.8× the typical run. Engine problems make up 43% of reports; 2008 is the worst model year at 1.7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for S8 model years 2007–2026.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Audi S8 has 26 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 41% of every S8 complaint on file.

FIG.01·Audi S8 — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
WUAJ5AFD8GN••••••20166——
WAUPN44E47N••••••20073——
WAUPN94EX8N••••••20083——
WAUD2AFD4DN••••••20133——
WAUD2AFD9DN••••••20132——
WAUD2AFD0DN••••••20132——
WAUD2AFD1DN••••••20132——
WAUD2AFD1EN••••••20142——
WAUPN94E38N••••••20081——
WAUPN94E78N••••••20081——
WAUPN94E19N••••••20091——
WAU8SAF85MN••••••20211——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 14 S8 runs has 1 complaint or fewer. ForCar has checked 15 S8 VINs so far, most often 2023, 2016, 2020 builds.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Audi S8 the gap between build years is 1.7×: a 2008 car draws 1.7 complaints per run, a 2015 one 1.

FIG.02·Audi S8 — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
2015155—
20141.265—
20131.6138—
20081.753—
ROWS 4·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2008 at 1.7 complaints per run; lightest is 2015 at 1.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 43% of everything Audi S8 owners report: Engine, 18 of 41 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Audi S8 — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Engine18——
Visibility5——
Power Train4——
Unknown Or Other4——
Vehicle Speed Control3——
Fuel/propulsion System3——
Visibility/wiper3——
Electrical System2——
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 16 recall campaigns on the Audi S8; the 6 below cover build years 2007 to 2026. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Audi S8 — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
25V900000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera2020–2026
20V397000Structure:body:hood2013–2018
22V178000Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger2013–2017
19V057000Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings2013–2016
18V430000Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings2013–2015
16V415000Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly2007–2009
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

25V900000 was opened in 2025 on cars built from 2020: 5 years on the road before the recall.

The S8 against its rivals

The S8 draws 1.6 complaints per production run; the Acura RLX 1.8. That is the lowest rate of the 2.

FIG.05·Audi S8 VIN check vs rivals
ModelComplaintsRunsPer runInvolved a crash
Audi S841261.60%
Acura RLX110601.81.8%
ROWS 2·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

How serious were they

FIG.06·Audi S8 — complaint severity
OutcomeAudi S8All vehicles
Complaints filed411,115,966
Involved a crash0 (0%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire1 (2.4%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported058,013
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Crash-related reports run 100% below the all-vehicle rate.

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Audi S8 share of that is 41 complaints over 26 runs, 0% of everything on record.

Everything on the Audi S8
Recalls44 campaignsFuel economy20 mpg bestReliability4.0/5Common problems45 complaintsCargo space18 cu ftInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car2001–2026

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Audi S8 VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 41 NHTSA complaints from 26 S8 runs and 16 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which S8 production run has the most complaints?

WUAJ5AFD8GN, a 2016 build, with 6 complaints. The typical S8 run has 1.6.

Which S8 years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2008 is heaviest at 1.7 complaints per run and 2015 lightest at 1.

Does the S8 get more complaints than the Acura RLX?

No: 1.6 complaints per production run for the S8 against 1.8 for the Acura RLX.

How many S8 complaints involve a crash?

0% of 41 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 1 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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