NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2020 Audi S8 Safety Record
The 2020 Audi S8 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 4 recalls and 0 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The 2020 Audi S8 has not been subjected to federal crash testing, leaving its safety performance unrated by NHTSA. Consequently, no star ratings or a computed Safety Index are available for this model year. The vehicle's safety profile is therefore assessed solely on its recall and complaint record, which falls within the Light burden band. This comprises four issued recalls and zero owner complaints filed with the agency.
The 2020 Audi S8 was not crash-tested by NHTSA, carries four recalls and a 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 | 4 |
| Owner complaints | 0 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 Audi S8?
The 2020 Audi S8 has no owner-reported safety concerns on file with NHTSA. This absence of complaints, however, cannot substitute for crash-test data, which is not available for this model year. No tested sibling years are recorded by NHTSA either. Its federal safety record is generally contained, with a light recall and complaint burden band. Four recalls have been issued, but the most significant directly targets the 2020-2021 S8: a missing sealing pin in the engine control module. This defect could allow moisture intrusion and affect engine function, making VIN-level verification of repair status critical. Other recalls for the S8 address the tire and rear axle assembly, shared across a broader Volkswagen Group, and a back-over camera issue that spans a wide range of model years.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2020 Audi S8 have any recalls?
The 2020 Audi S8 is covered by four recall campaigns touching four distinct components: a back-over prevention sensing system camera, tires, the rear non-powered axle assembly, and the engine control module. The ECM recall is specific to 2020-2021 S8 vehicles and involves a missing sealing pin that may affect engine operation. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive appears in the data provided for this model year.
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
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 S8?
NHTSA's complaint database shows zero owner complaints filed against the 2020 Audi S8, meaning no crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths have been alleged by owners in reports to the agency. There are no top components to identify and no most-recent report on record. As with all NHTSA complaint data, any future filings would represent unverified consumer allegations, not established facts.
0 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 Audi S8?
An open recall, particularly the ECM sealing-pin campaign, represents an unresolved federal safety action that a seller is not required to disclose in a private transaction. Any used 2020 Audi S8 purchase should begin with a free VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov to confirm all four recall campaigns have been completed.
- The 2020 Audi S8 has no NHTSA crash-test score of any kind; NHTSA did not test this model year, so no Safety Index or star ratings exist.
- An ECM recall specific to 2020-2021 Audi S8 vehicles involves a potentially missing sealing pin; owners and buyers should verify this repair is complete using the NHTSA VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov.
- Three additional recalls covering a back-over prevention camera, tires, and the rear axle assembly apply to this model year as part of broader Volkswagen Group campaigns.
- Zero owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA against the 2020 Audi S8, meaning no crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths have been alleged in the federal complaint record for this specific model year.
FAQ2020 Audi S8 safety questions
Was the 2020 Audi S8 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 4 recalls and 0 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2020 Audi S8 have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 4 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2020 Audi S8. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Audi S8?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 0 owner complaints are on file for the 2020 Audi S8. 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 S8 years
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Audi S8 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.