NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2020 Audi A8l Safety Record
The 2020 Audi A8l 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 A8L has not undergone crash testing by NHTSA, meaning no star ratings are available from the federal program. Consequently, a Safety Index score cannot be computed. The safety profile for this model year is therefore derived solely from its recall and complaint record. This includes five recalls addressing various components and a total of three owner complaints submitted to NHTSA, categorizing it within the Light burden band for both. This assessment rests entirely on administrative data, not crash performance.
The 2020 Audi A8l was not crash-tested by NHTSA, carries five recalls, and falls in the Light recall and complaint burden band 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 | Light |
| Recalls on file | 5 |
| Owner complaints | 3 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 Audi A8l?
The 2020 Audi A8L has accumulated five recalls, impacting diverse systems from back-over prevention cameras to the engine control module. This places the model year in the Light recall and complaint burden band, indicating a relatively contained volume of federal safety activity. Notably, an engine control module recall specifically targets 2019-2021 A8 and 2020-2021 S8 vehicles. Other recalls for tires and rear suspension extend across several Audi platforms. Three owner complaints have been registered, with one reporting a fire related to the Electrical System, and the others citing issues with the powertrain. No crash-test data is available for this specific model year, nor for any sibling years within the same nameplate, preventing a comparative safety assessment based on federal crash tests.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2020 Audi A8l have any recalls?
The five recalls for the 2020 Audi A8l cover the following components: a back-over prevention camera sensing system, an onboard electrical charging cable, tires, a rear non-powered axle suspension assembly, and the engine control module. The ECM recall notes that a missing sealing pin may allow moisture intrusion. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive appears in the provided recall summaries, but owners should confirm current remedy status through 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 A8l?
Three owner complaints have been reported to NHTSA for the 2020 Audi A8l. These are unverified consumer allegations, not established facts. The top reported components are the Electrical System, cited in two allegations, followed by single allegations touching the Engine and Power Train.
3 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 Audi A8l?
The 2020 Audi A8L has accumulated five recalls. Any used 2020 Audi A8L should have its full 17-character VIN checked against the NHTSA open-recall database at nhtsa.gov before purchase to confirm whether any of these remain unrepaired on that specific vehicle.
- The 2020 Audi A8l has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, meaning no federal star ratings or Safety Index scores exist for this model year.
- An engine control module recall specific to 2019-2021 Audi A8 and 2020-2021 Audi S8 vehicles addresses a missing sealing pin that may allow moisture intrusion into the ECM.
- One of the three owner complaints reported to NHTSA for this model year includes an alleged fire-related incident involving the Electrical System, though all complaints are unverified consumer allegations.
- Owners and prospective buyers should use the NHTSA VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov to determine whether any of the five recalls remain open and unrepaired on a specific vehicle.
FAQ2020 Audi A8l safety questions
Was the 2020 Audi A8l 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 A8l have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 5 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2020 Audi A8l. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Audi A8l?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 3 owner complaints are on file for the 2020 Audi A8l. 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 A8l years
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Audi A8l 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.