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2020 Audi A8: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2020 Audi A8, most recently filed December 2025. Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Recalls 5campaigns 1 rear camera · 1 electrical · 1 tire Source: NHTSA Complaints 3filed Owner reports, 2011–2021 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Fuel economy 23mpg combined $2,840/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 3 L 6-cyl· 8-speed automatic 3 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
Compare

Recalls (5)

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2020 Audi A8. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2020 Audi A8. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 25V900000 Filed Dec 19, 2025

Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111

Back over prevention · sensing system · camera
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence
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.
58.2% repairedof 356,894 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 25V900000
Listed for 2020 Audi A8. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 23V842000 Filed Dec 13, 2023

Power Outlet May Cause Charging Cable to Overheat

Electrical system · propulsion system · charging · cable/cord · onboard
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 RS e-tron GT, e-tron GT, Q4 e-tron Sportback, Q4 e-tron, 2020-2021 Audi A8, 2019-2024 e-tron Quattro, 2020-2024 e-tron Sportback Quattro, Q5, and 2021-2022 A7 vehicles. When using the industrial 220V/240V plug at the 100% charge setting, some home power outlets may be incapable of handling the electrical current required to utilize the compact charging system, causing the outlet or charging cable to overheat.
Consequence
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 numbers for this recall are 93U6 and 93U8.
88.5% repairedof 93,196 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 23V842000
Listed for 2020 Audi A8. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 22V034000 Filed Jan 26, 2022

Rear Axle May Be Misaligned

Suspension · rear · axle · non-powered axle assembly
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
Consequence
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.
98.5% repairedof 31,058 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 22V034000
Listed for 2020 Audi A8. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 21V295000 Filed Apr 26, 2021

Rear Axle Lock Nuts May Break

Suspension · rear · axle · non-powered axle assembly
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
Consequence
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.
98.7% repairedof 40,993 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V295000
Listed for 2020 Audi A8. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 21V111000 Filed Feb 24, 2021

Engine Control Module Malfunction

Engine
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A8 and 2020-2021 Audi S8 vehicles. A missing sealing pin may allow moisture to enter the engine control module connector, possibly causing a control module malfunction.
Consequence
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.
99.2% repairedof 238 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V111000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which A8 years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Audi A8All model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (3)

3 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.

0involved a crash
1involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Audi A8, by component (top 4). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 3.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2020 compares with other A8 years

Best and worst A8 years →
15 11 49 18 31 11 8 14 3 5
2011201220132014201520162017201920202021
This year (2020)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 23 mpg combined

23
mpg combined
21
city
27
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,550
CO₂ tailpipe
213 g/mi
EPA class
Large Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,840per year
$237per month
652gallons a year

Miles ÷ 23 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2020 Audi A8 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
3 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive21 / 27 / 23$3,550213
3 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive17 / 26 / 21$3,900430
4 L 8-cyl · 8-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive15 / 23 / 18$4,550495

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2020 A8 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All A8 years

Where to next

Which A8 years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2021 Audi A8 report5 complaints · 10 campaigns →2019 Audi A8 report14 complaints · 3 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2020 Audi A8 FAQ

How many recalls does the 2020 Audi A8 have?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns: 25V900000 (rear camera), 23V842000 (electrical), 22V034000 (tire), 21V295000 (suspension), 21V111000 (engine). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2020 Audi A8 problems?

Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (2), Engine (1), Power train (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2020 Audi A8 get?

EPA rates the 3 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic version at 21 city, 27 highway and 23 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2020 A8 compare with other years?

Among the 2011–2021 Audi A8 model years at least five years old, the 2020 drew the fewest complaints (3) and the 2013 the most (49). The 2020 drew 3. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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