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Audi S8 — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Audi S8 model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
26
Years to Avoid
2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2013
Best Years
2019, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001
2026
0 complaints1 recalls92 TSBs
2025
0 complaints1 recalls414 TSBs
2024
0 complaints1 recalls662 TSBs
2023Avoid
0 complaints2 recalls780 TSBs
2022Avoid
0 complaints3 recalls820 TSBs
2021Avoid
3 complaints8 recalls1061 TSBs
2020Avoid
0 complaints4 recalls933 TSBs
2019Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2018
0 complaints1 recalls320 TSBs
2017
0 complaints2 recalls390 TSBs
2016
7 complaints3 recalls2 invest.601 TSBs
2015
6 complaints4 recalls2 invest.648 TSBs
2014
7 complaints5 recalls2 invest.624 TSBs
2013Avoid
17 complaints5 recalls2 invest.776 TSBs
2012Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2011Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2010Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2009
3 complaints1 recalls253 TSBs
2008
6 complaints1 recalls201 TSBs
2007
4 complaints1 recalls142 TSBs
2006Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2005Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2004Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2003Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2002Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2001Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Audi S8 Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2013 Audi S8 are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Audi S8, consider the 2019, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

26 model years analyzed