NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2021 Audi A8 Safety Record
The 2021 Audi A8 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 10 recalls and 5 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The 2021 Audi A8 carries no federal crash-test ratings; NHTSA has not evaluated this model year. This absence of data means no star ratings or Safety Index score can be assigned. On its recall record, the 2021 A8 demonstrates a Moderate burden. Ten recall campaigns have been issued, addressing issues from back-over camera systems to the instrument cluster and infotainment screen. Five owner complaints have been reported to NHTSA. The lack of crash-test data precludes any safety assessment based on federal impact performance.
The 2021 Audi A8 was not crash-tested by NHTSA, carries a Moderate recall and complaint burden band, and is the subject of ten recall campaigns according to NHTSA 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 | Moderate |
| Recalls on file | 10 |
| Owner complaints | 5 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Audi A8?
Ten recall campaigns mark the 2021 Audi A8's record, a notable figure that places it within the Moderate burden band for this model year. These campaigns address a range of issues, from back-over camera and display systems, instrument cluster and panel concerns, to infotainment video hardware and an onboard charging cable. Many of these recalls encompass multiple Audi lines; the 2021 A8 was included rather than being the exclusive focus. Owner complaints, by contrast, are comparatively low at five reported incidents. No crashes, fires, injuries, or fatalities have been alleged. With no adjacent model years tested, a complete crash-test assessment for this generation is unavailable. The Moderate burden band reflects the combined recall and complaint record, not a crash-safety grade.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Audi A8 have any recalls?
The ten recall campaigns for the 2021 Audi A8 touch back-over prevention sensing cameras, back-over prevention display function, the electrical instrument cluster and panel, an onboard charging cable and cord in the electrical and propulsion system, and infotainment touchscreen video units. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive appears in the data provided for this model year. Owners should verify open status by VIN at nhtsa.gov, because remedy completion varies by individual vehicle.
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: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL25V201000
Risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90VC.
Reported 2025-03-31
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
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT:VIDEO (TOUCH)SCREEN/MONITOR/UNIT22V806000
Risk: An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the infotainment main unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91Ei.
Reported 2022-10-26
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION22V742000
Risk: A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.
Reported 2022-10-05
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
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA21V825000
Risk: A rear-view camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment unit parameters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 9, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91CR.
Reported 2021-10-20
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR21V606000
Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).
Reported 2021-08-05
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 2021 Audi A8?
Five complaints have been reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Audi A8. The top components alleged in those unverified reports are the Electrical System, the Power Train, the Engine, the Fuel and Propulsion System, and the Structure. None of the five reports alleged a crash, a fire, an injury, or a death. These are unverified consumer allegations, not established findings.
5 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Audi A8?
The 2021 Audi A8 carries an elevated recall burden, with ten distinct campaigns issued. Prospective owners should verify an individual vehicle's recall status using its VIN on nhtsa.gov; recall repairs are completed by dealers at no charge.
- NHTSA has not crash-tested the 2021 Audi A8, meaning no star ratings or Safety Index exist for this model year; the absence of a score is not a safety judgment.
- Ten recall campaigns affect the 2021 A8, covering back-over prevention camera and display systems, the instrument cluster and panel, infotainment touchscreen hardware, and an onboard charging cable and cord.
- Five unverified complaints have been reported to NHTSA for this model year, with the Electrical System and Power Train cited most frequently; no crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths were alleged in those reports.
- Because recall remedy completion varies by individual vehicle, a VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov is the only way to confirm whether any of the ten campaigns remain open on a specific 2021 A8.
FAQ2021 Audi A8 safety questions
Was the 2021 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 10 recalls and 5 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 Audi A8 have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 10 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Audi A8. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Audi A8?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 5 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 Audi A8. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects.
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 2021.
- 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.