MODEL
Audi S8
NHTSA safety across every Audi S8 model year we cover.
Across the 2 model years of the Audi S8 we cover (2020 to 2021), no year has an NHTSA crash-test score on record. 12 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Audi S8 is a high-performance full-size luxury sedan pitched at buyers who want executive comfort without sacrificing serious driving dynamics. Slotting above the A8 in Audi's lineup, it pairs a powerful turbocharged engine with a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system and an interior loaded with advanced technology. Its audience is a narrow slice of affluent enthusiasts who expect both refinement and genuine performance from a four-door.
At MotorCaliber, we have to be straightforward with S8 shoppers for the 2020 and 2021 model years: NHTSA did not crash-test this vehicle during the period we cover. That means there are no star ratings, no frontal or side barrier scores, and no pole test results to anchor a structural safety assessment. For a sedan that starts well into six-figure territory, that absence is a genuine gap in the public safety record, and buyers should weigh it accordingly. What the federal data does show is a recall count of 12 across just two model years. For a low-volume flagship sedan, that figure is notable. Recalls can range from minor software corrections to more consequential safety-related defects, and shoppers should pull the specific NHTSA recall records for any individual S8 they are considering to confirm all campaigns have been completed by a dealer. Owner complaints in the NHTSA database sit at just 1 total, with zero reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths attached. That extremely low complaint volume likely reflects the model's limited sales numbers as much as anything else, so it should not be read as a clean bill of health on its own. Bottom line: the S8 carries a meaningful recall burden and no independent crash-test validation for these years. Verify recall completion before purchase.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the S8 as one of the most accomplished performance sedans in its class, praising its blend of everyday luxury and effortless straight-line power. Most find the ride and interior quality exceptional, though they tend to note the price and complexity place it in a very exclusive and demanding ownership tier.
- NHTSA did not crash-test the 2020 or 2021 Audi S8, so there are no federal star ratings available to evaluate structural crash protection for either model year.
- Twelve recalls were issued across the two model years we cover. Before buying any used example, run the VIN through NHTSA's recall database and confirm every open campaign has been resolved at an authorized Audi dealer.
- Owner complaints in the NHTSA system total just 1 for this period, with no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths. Given the S8's very limited sales volume, this low figure should be interpreted cautiously rather than treated as evidence of a strong safety record.
- Because this is a low-production flagship, independent safety data is sparse compared to mainstream vehicles. Shoppers who prioritize verified crash-test performance may want to cross-shop models that have received full NHTSA or IIHS evaluation.
Most-recalled year on record: 2021 Audi S8 with 8 recalls.