NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2020 Audi A8 Safety Record
The 2020 Audi A8 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 5 recalls and 3 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The 2020 Audi A8 has not been subjected to NHTSA's crash-test regimen, leaving a gap in the federal safety record for this model year. Consequently, no star ratings are available, and no Safety Index can be computed. The available data presents a limited picture: a Light recall and complaint burden band, with five distinct recall campaigns. These campaigns address several safety systems. Additionally, three unverified owner complaints have been reported to NHTSA. Without crash-test results, a comprehensive assessment of the 2020 A8's crashworthiness cannot be made.
The 2020 Audi A8 was not crash-tested by NHTSA, carries five recall campaigns, and falls in the Light recall and complaint burden band according to NHTSA federal safety data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA crash test | Not crash-tested |
|---|---|
| Recall and complaint burden | Light |
| Recalls on file | 5 |
| Owner complaints | 3 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 Audi A8?
Five recall campaigns for the 2020 Audi A8 present a notable volume of federal safety actions. These recalls address a range of issues, from the back-over camera and tire safety to the rear suspension assembly and engine control module. The ECM sealing pin issue, with its specific mechanical failure mode, stands out among these. The vehicle's recall and complaint burden is classified as Light, indicating a lower volume of combined federal safety actions and consumer allegations. The complaint record is numerically small, with three reports, though one alleged fire warrants attention despite the low volume. All three complaints remain unverified allegations. No crash-test data for adjacent model years is available to provide additional context.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2020 Audi A8 have any recalls?
The five recall campaigns for the 2020 Audi A8 touch the following components: back-over prevention sensing camera, the onboard electrical charging cable, tires, rear suspension axle assembly, and the engine control module. The ECM recall specifically notes that a missing sealing pin may allow moisture intrusion, a condition with direct underhood safety implications. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive appears in the data provided, but owners should verify current remedy status by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA25V900000
Risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.
Reported 2025-12-19
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:CHARGING:CABLE/CORD:ONBOARD23V842000
Risk: An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to use the 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable and only use the 110V home charging cable or public charging stations. Dealers will supply a new 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable with an incorporated temperature sensor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's num
Reported 2023-12-13
TIRES22V034000
Risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
Reported 2022-01-26
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY21V295000
Risk: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
Reported 2021-04-26
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)21V111000
Risk: An engine control module malfunction may cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine control module connector for a missing sealing pin, and install it, if necessary. The connector will also be inspected for corrosion, and replaced as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 12, 20121. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 97EV.
Reported 2021-02-24
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2020 Audi A8?
Three unverified owner complaints have been reported to NHTSA for the 2020 Audi A8. These are unverified allegations and have not been confirmed as defects. The top components named in those reports are the Electrical System, cited in two separate allegations, followed by the Engine and Power Train, each cited once. One allegation involves a reported fire. No crashes, injuries, or fatalities appear in the complaint record.
3 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 Audi A8?
Before purchasing a specific 2020 Audi A8, run the full 17-character VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup at nhtsa.gov to confirm which, if any, of the five recall campaigns remain open and unrepaired on that exact vehicle. An unrepaired recall is a direct safety consideration regardless of when the campaign was issued.
- The 2020 Audi A8 has no NHTSA crash-test rating for any category, including frontal, side, or rollover, because the agency did not test this model year.
- Five recall campaigns affect this model year, covering the back-over sensing camera, onboard charging cable, tires, rear suspension axle assembly, and engine control module, with the ECM recall citing a missing sealing pin that may allow moisture intrusion.
- One of the three unverified owner complaints reported to NHTSA for this model year alleges a fire, a detail that stands out even within a numerically small complaint record.
- Because this is a six-year-old vehicle, the likelihood that at least one recall remedy has not yet been performed on any given used example is real, making a VIN-specific check at nhtsa.gov a necessary step before purchase.
FAQ2020 Audi A8 safety questions
Was the 2020 Audi A8 crash-tested by NHTSA?
No. NHTSA has not run a New Car Assessment Program crash test on this configuration, so it carries no Safety Index. Its safety record here is built from 5 recalls and 3 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2020 Audi A8 have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 5 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2020 Audi A8. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Audi A8?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 3 owner complaints are on file for the 2020 Audi A8. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other A8 years
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Audi A8 2020.
- SCORE This configuration was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. We report its recall and complaint record only.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.