Model year
2021 Audi A8
NHTSA lists 10 recalls and 5 complaints for the 2021 Audi A8 (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 0 recalls and 1 complaint under A8 L E and A8 PHEV. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2), POWER TRAIN (2), ENGINE (1). NHTSA lists crash-test variants for this model year and marks the overall rating Not Rated. EPA rates it 18–23 mpg combined and 63 kWh/100 mi depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,550–$4,550, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 3 complaints
- 2001 6 complaints
- 2002 1 complaints
- 2003 3 complaints
- 2004 20 complaints
- 2005 6 complaints
- 2006 6 complaints
- 2007 4 complaints
- 2008 8 complaints
- 2009 5 complaints
- 2010 1 complaints
- 2011 15 complaints
- 2012 11 complaints
- 2013 49 complaints
- 2014 18 complaints
- 2015 31 complaints
- 2016 11 complaints
- 2017 8 complaints
- 2018 0 complaints
- 2019 14 complaints
- 2020 3 complaints
- 2021 5 complaints
- 2022 0 complaints
- 2023 0 complaints
- 2024 0 complaints
- 2025 0 complaints
- 2026 0 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
25V900000 · Dec 19, 2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the…
25V201000 · Mar 31, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 SQ8, A6 SEDAN, A7, A8, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S6 SEDAN, S7, S8, A6 Allroad, and SQ7 vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail.
23V842000 · Dec 13, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:CHARGING:CABLE/CORD:ONBOARD
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 RS e-tron GT, e-tron GT, Q4 e-tron Sportback, Q4 e-tron, 2020-2021 Audi A8, 2019-2024 e-tron Quattro, 2020-2024 e-tron Sportback Quattro, Q5, and 2021-2022 A7 vehicles. When using the industrial 220V/240V…
22V806000 · Oct 26, 2022
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT:VIDEO (TOUCH)SCREEN/MONITOR/UNIT; BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 AUDI A8, A6 Allroad, E-TRON Quattro, 2022 S3, RSQ8, RS7, RS6 Avant, Q8, Q7, Q3, E-TRON Sportback Quattro, S5 Cabriolet, E-TRON GT, S5 Sportback, A7, A6, A5 Sportback, A5 Cabriolet, A4, A4 Allroad, A3, S8,…
22V742000 · Oct 5, 2022
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5…
22V034000 · Jan 26, 2022
TIRES; SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5,…
21V825000 · Oct 20, 2021
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8 and S8, 2022 Audi A5 Sportback, A4 Sedan, E-Tron GT, Q3, Q5, RS6 Avant, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RSQ8, SQ7, SQ8, and S3 Sedan vehicles. A software error may prevent the rear-view…
21V606000 · Aug 5, 2021
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR; SEAT BELTS
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5…
21V295000 · Apr 26, 2021
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe,…
21V111000 · Feb 24, 2021
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM); ENGINE
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A8 and 2020-2021 Audi S8 vehicles. A missing sealing pin may allow moisture to enter the engine control module connector, possibly causing a control module malfunction.
Complaints
5 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 0, fire flag on 0, injury field 0, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| A8 L E | 0 | 1 |
| A8 PHEV | 0 | 0 |
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Audi A8L 4 DR AWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
| 2021 Audi A8L PHEV 4 DR AWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A8 L · 3L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline · Hybrid | 17 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| A8 L · 4L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline · Hybrid | 15 | 23 | 18 | — | — | $4,550 |
| A8 L · 3L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline · Plug-in Hybrid | 21 | 26 | 23 | 63.0 | 420 | $3,550 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2021 Audi A8 at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.