NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2021 Audi S8 Safety Record
The 2021 Audi S8 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 8 recalls and 1 owner complaint on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
For the 2021 model year, the Audi S8 has not undergone federal crash testing and therefore carries no star ratings or a computed Safety Index. The absence of these assessments means no governmental determination exists regarding the vehicle's crashworthiness. On its recall record, the S8 exhibits a moderate burden, with eight distinct campaigns addressing components ranging from back-over camera systems to tires and the instrument cluster. This recall activity is coupled with a single owner complaint filed with NHTSA.
The 2021 Audi S8 was not crash-tested by NHTSA, carries a Moderate recall and complaint burden band, and has 8 recall campaigns on record 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 | Moderate |
| Recalls on file | 8 |
| Owner complaints | 1 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Audi S8?
The 2021 Audi S8 is notable for its eight recall campaigns, particularly in the realm of driver-assistance and camera technology. Two distinct recalls address back-over prevention cameras, and a third concerns the back-over prevention display function. These reflect broader Volkswagen Group software and sensing-system issues impacting various 2021 Audi models. Further adding to the recall record are campaigns for tires and instrument cluster electrical systems. Only one owner complaint is on file for this model year, citing powertrain, electrical system, and engine concerns; this low figure has no confirmed causal finding. There are no sibling year models available for navigational comparison. The vehicle's designation in the Moderate recall and complaint burden band is based on the volume and variety of these recalls, not on high complaint numbers. This characterization refers only to the recall record and carries no implication regarding crash-worthiness.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Audi S8 have any recalls?
The 8 recall campaigns for the 2021 Audi S8 address: back-over prevention sensing system cameras (two separate campaigns), back-over prevention display function, electrical system instrument cluster and panel, and tires. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is listed in the data provided for this model year. Owners should verify the status of each campaign against their specific 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: 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
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 S8?
NHTSA records one owner complaint for the 2021 Audi S8. The reported components are the power train, electrical system, and engine. These are unverified consumer allegations submitted to NHTSA and have not been confirmed as defects or established facts.
1 owner complaint on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Audi S8?
The 2021 Audi S8 has been subject to 8 recall campaigns. Any prospective owner should verify the recall status of a specific vehicle by checking its VIN on the NHTSA website. This publication does not assess repair costs, resale value, or ownership economics.
- The 2021 Audi S8 has no NHTSA crash-test score of any kind; NHTSA did not evaluate this model year, so no star ratings or Safety Index exist for it.
- Two distinct back-over prevention camera recalls and one back-over prevention display function recall are part of this model year's 8-campaign record, reflecting Volkswagen Group sensing and camera system issues that affected multiple 2021 Audi models.
- A tire recall is among the 8 campaigns for the 2021 S8, covering certain 2019-2021 Audi vehicles; VIN-level verification at nhtsa.gov is the only way to confirm whether this or any other campaign is still open on a specific vehicle.
- Only one owner complaint is on file with NHTSA for this model year, alleging issues with the power train, electrical system, and engine; these are unverified consumer allegations and do not represent confirmed defects.
FAQ2021 Audi S8 safety questions
Was the 2021 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 8 recalls and 1 owner complaint on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 Audi S8 have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 8 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Audi S8. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Audi S8?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 1 owner complaint is on file for the 2021 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 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.