Audi 4.0 TFSI: years, specs & known problems

By CarWhere Research · Updated November 4, 2026

Audi's 4.0 TFSI is a twin-turbocharged V8 with both turbos inside the vee, used in US models since the 2013 S6, S7, S8 and A8. Output runs from 420 hp in the first S6 and S7 to 621 hp in the RS 6 Avant and RS 7 performance and 631 hp in the 2025 RS Q8 performance.

The first-generation 4.0 TFSI replaced the 4.2 FSI in the 2013 A8 and arrived in the S6, S7 and S8 at the same time. It displaced 3,993 cc from an 84.5 × 89 mm bore and stroke and made 420 hp and 406 lb-ft in the S6 and S7, 450 hp in the 2016 S6, 520 hp in the S8 and 560 hp in the 2014 RS 7.

The current 4.0 TFSI, used since the 2020 SQ7, SQ8, S8 and RS models, measures 3,996 cc with an 86.0 × 86.0 mm bore and stroke. It makes 500 hp in the SQ7 and SQ8, 563 hp in the S8, 591 hp in the RS 6 Avant, RS 7, RS Q8 and 2027 SQ7, 621 hp in the RS 6 and RS 7 performance and 631 hp in the RS Q8 performance. Recalls cover fuel lines, turbocharger oil strainers and, on some 2021 RS and SQ models, cylinder bore cracks.

4.0 TFSI at a glance

Audi 4.0 TFSI twin-turbocharged V8, US models 2013–present: model years, fuel and peak Audi-published output by version
Engine	Model years	Fuel	Peak hp	Peak torque (lb-ft)	Documented problems	Recalls
2013–2018 4.0 TFSI (3,993 cc): S6, S7, S8, A8, RS 7	2013–2018	Gasoline (premium recommended)	560	481	0	4
2020-on 4.0 TFSI (3,996 cc): SQ7, SQ8, S8, A8, RS 6, RS 7, RS Q8	2020–present	Gasoline (premium recommended)	631	627	0	3

CarWhere lists 0 documented problems and 7 NHTSA recalls for the 4.0 TFSI, each with a source.

2013–2018 4.0 TFSI (3,993 cc): S6, S7, S8, A8, RS 7

The first twin-turbo V8 generation, replacing the 4.2 FSI. Outputs ranged from 420 hp in the A8, S6 and S7 to 560 hp in the RS 7.

2013–2018 4.0 TFSI (3,993 cc): S6, S7, S8, A8, RS 7 specifications

2013–2018 4.0 TFSI (3,993 cc): S6, S7, S8, A8, RS 7: design facts (2013–2018)
Specification	Value
Displacement	3,993 cc (243.7 cu in)[1]
Bore × stroke	84.5 × 89 mm[1]
Compression ratio	10.1:1 (S7, A8 4.0T); 9.3:1 (2013 S8)[4]
Replaced	The 4.2 FSI V8 in the A8[4]

2013–2018 4.0 TFSI (3,993 cc): S6, S7, S8, A8, RS 7 horsepower and torque by year

2013–2018 4.0 TFSI (3,993 cc): S6, S7, S8, A8, RS 7: Audi-published horsepower (hp) and torque (lb-ft) by model year and application
Model years	Application	Horsepower (hp)	Torque (lb-ft)	Source
2013	S7420 hp at 5,500–6,400 rpm; 406 lb-ft at 1,400–5,200 rpm	420	406	[1]
2014	S6	420	406	[2]
2016	S6450 hp at 5,800–6,400 rpm	450	406	[3]
2013	A8 4.0T	420	444	[4]
2013	S8	520	481	[4]
2014	RS 7560 hp at 5,700–6,600 rpm	560	—	[5]

"—" means we could not confirm the figure from a primary source.

Which vehicles have the 2013–2018 4.0 TFSI (3,993 cc): S6, S7, S8, A8, RS 7?

Models and model years offered with the 2013–2018 4.0 TFSI (3,993 cc): S6, S7, S8, A8, RS 7
Model	Model years	Notes
S6	2013–2018
S7	2013–2018
A8 and A8 L 4.0T	2013–2018
S8	2013–2018	S8 plus from 2016
RS 7	2014–2018

2013–2018 4.0 TFSI (3,993 cc): S6, S7, S8, A8, RS 7 recalls

NHTSA safety recalls related to the 2013–2018 4.0 TFSI (3,993 cc): S6, S7, S8, A8, RS 7 (campaign numbers link to NHTSA)
NHTSA campaign	Reported	Vehicles	Summary
13V450	2013-09	2013–2014 S6 and S7 with the 4.0L engine	Because of manufacturing tolerances, a fuel line may leak fuel.
18V430	2018-06	2013–2015 A8 and S8	The fuel supply line for the high-pressure fuel pump may become porous over time and leak fuel.
19V057	2019-01	2013–2016 A8 and S8	The fuel supply line for the high-pressure fuel pump may become porous and leak fuel.
22V178	2022-03	2013–2017 A8, S6, S7, S8 and 2014–2017 RS 7	The turbocharger oil supply strainer can become blocked, wearing the turbo bearings from lack of lubrication.

2020-on 4.0 TFSI (3,996 cc): SQ7, SQ8, S8, A8, RS 6, RS 7, RS Q8

The current twin-turbo V8, with an 86 × 86 mm bore and stroke. It brought V8 power to the SQ7 in the US for the first time and powers every current RS V8.

2020-on 4.0 TFSI (3,996 cc): SQ7, SQ8, S8, A8, RS 6, RS 7, RS Q8 specifications

2020-on 4.0 TFSI (3,996 cc): SQ7, SQ8, S8, A8, RS 6, RS 7, RS Q8: design facts (2020–present)
Specification	Value
Displacement	3,996 cc[6]
Bore × stroke	86.0 × 86.0 mm[15]
Compression ratio	10.1:1 (SQ7)[15]
Peak torque (SQ7)	568 lb-ft at 2,000–4,000 rpm[16]

2020-on 4.0 TFSI (3,996 cc): SQ7, SQ8, S8, A8, RS 6, RS 7, RS Q8 horsepower and torque by year

2020-on 4.0 TFSI (3,996 cc): SQ7, SQ8, S8, A8, RS 6, RS 7, RS Q8: Audi-published horsepower (hp) and torque (lb-ft) by model year and application
Model years	Application	Horsepower (hp)	Torque (lb-ft)	Source
2020	SQ7	500	568	[6]
2020	SQ8	500	568	[7]
2020	RS Q8	591	590	[7]
2020	S8	563	590	[8]
2020	A8 L 60 TFSI	453	487	[8]
2021	RS 6 Avant and RS 7	591	590	[9]
2024	RS 6 Avant performance and RS 7 performanceLarger turbos and more boost: +30 hp and +37 lb-ft	621	627	[10]
2025	RS Q8 performance	631	627	[11]
2026	SQ8	500	568	[12]
2026	S8	563	—	[13]
2027	SQ7	591	590	[14]

"—" means we could not confirm the figure from a primary source.

Which vehicles have the 2020-on 4.0 TFSI (3,996 cc): SQ7, SQ8, S8, A8, RS 6, RS 7, RS Q8?

Models and model years offered with the 2020-on 4.0 TFSI (3,996 cc): SQ7, SQ8, S8, A8, RS 6, RS 7, RS Q8
Model	Model years	Notes
SQ7	2020–present
SQ8	2020–present
RS Q8	2020–present
S8	2020–present
A8 L 60 TFSI	2020
RS 6 Avant	2021–present
RS 7	2021–present

2020-on 4.0 TFSI (3,996 cc): SQ7, SQ8, S8, A8, RS 6, RS 7, RS Q8 recalls

NHTSA safety recalls related to the 2020-on 4.0 TFSI (3,996 cc): SQ7, SQ8, S8, A8, RS 6, RS 7, RS Q8 (campaign numbers link to NHTSA)
NHTSA campaign	Reported	Vehicles	Summary
21V339	2021-05	2021 SQ7, SQ8, RS Q8, RS 6 Avant and RS 7	Cracks may develop on the surface of the engine cylinder bore.
21V111	2021-02	2019–2021 A8 and 2020–2021 S8	A missing sealing pin can let moisture into the engine control module connector, possibly causing a module malfunction.
25V637	2025-09	One 2025 SQ7	Fasteners securing the high-pressure fuel pump may not be tightened properly, resulting in a fuel leak.

4.0 TFSI issues by model

The same engine shows up on these known-issues pages, with model-specific details.

Audi A6: S6 4.0T turbocharger oil strainer can clog (recall 22V178) (2013–2017)
Audi A7: S7/RS 7 4.0T turbocharger oil strainer can clog (recall 22V178) (2013–2017)
Audi A8: 4.0T turbocharger oil strainer can clog (recall 22V178) (2013–2017)
Audi Q8: Cylinder bore cracks on some SQ8 and RS Q8 (recall 21V339) (2021)

Related Audi research

Confirm a car really has the 4.0 TFSI.

The engine an Audi left the factory with is part of its build record. The CarWhere Audi build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Audi build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

Which Audis have the 4.0 TFSI V8?

The 2013–2018 S6, S7, S8 and A8 4.0T, the 2014–2018 RS 7, and from 2020 the SQ7, SQ8, RS Q8, S8, RS 6 Avant and RS 7.

How much horsepower does the Audi 4.0T make?

From 420 hp (2013 S6, S7 and A8) to 631 hp (RS Q8 performance). Common ratings are 500 hp for the SQ7 and SQ8, 563 hp for the S8 and 591 hp for the RS 6, RS 7 and RS Q8.

Is the 2020 Audi 4.0T a different engine from the 2013 one?

Audi's spec sheets show different dimensions: the 2013–2018 engine is 3,993 cc with an 84.5 × 89 mm bore and stroke, while the 2020-on engine is 3,996 cc with an 86.0 × 86.0 mm bore and stroke.

What is the Audi 4.0T turbo oil strainer recall?

NHTSA campaign 22V-178 covers 2013–2017 A8, S6, S7, S8 and 2014–2017 RS 7 models. The turbocharger oil supply strainer can clog and starve the turbo bearings, so dealers replace it.

What is the 2021 RS 6 and RS 7 cylinder bore recall?

NHTSA campaign 21V-339 covers certain 2021 SQ7, SQ8, RS Q8, RS 6 Avant and RS 7 models in which cracks may develop on the cylinder bore surface. Check the VIN for completion.

Sources

Ratings are Audi-published figures as cited; descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs appear only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.

2013 Audi A7/S7 media information kit — Audi of America
2014 Audi A6/S6 media kit — Audi of America
2016 Audi A6/TDI/S6 media kit (revised May 2015) — Audi of America
2013 Audi A8/S8/W12 media information kit (revised July 2012) — Audi of America
2014 Audi A7/A7 TDI/S7/RS 7 media kit (revised Oct. 2013) — Audi of America
2020 Audi Q7/SQ7 press kit — Audi of America
2020 Audi Q8/SQ8/RS Q8 press kit — Audi of America
2020 Audi A8 press kit — Audi of America
2021 Audi RS 7 pricing announced — Audi of America
Audi brings more of what's great to the RS 6 Avant performance and RS 7 performance models (June 27, 2023) — Audi of America
2025 Audi Q8/SQ8/RS Q8 technical specifications — Audi of America
2026 Audi Q8/SQ8/RS Q8 technical specifications — Audi of America
2026 Audi A8/S8 technical specifications (Aug. 2025) — Audi of America
All-new Audi Q7 release (2027 Q7/SQ7) — Audi of America
2021 Audi Q7 model line technical specifications — Audi of America
2026 Audi Q7/SQ7 technical specifications (Aug. 2025) — Audi of America

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by AUDI AG or Audi of America. Audi, quattro, TFSI, S tronic, e-tron and the model names are trademarks of their owners.