2020 Audi A8 Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026

Not
scored

Not scored

Not enough data to score. Too few were made for a reliable rate.

Owner complaints: 3
Per 10,000 cars: 16.5; 1,819 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: –
Serious outcomes: 3; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 5
NHTSA crash rating: –

← 2019 A8 2021 A8 →

Should You Buy the 2020 Audi A8?

We do not score the 2020 Audi A8. Too few were made for a reliable rate, so we show the facts only.

The 2019 A8, from the same generation, scored 67 and rated Caution. That is a useful guide, not a guarantee.

It has 5 recalls. Audi also offers four warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the fuel system, drive axles, engine and driver assistance systems.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask an Audi dealer about warranty extension AWA-22-05 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
4 Audi warranty extensions may cover repairs

Cons

None stand out.

What Owners Report

We read all 3 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Audi A8, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

No problem shows up in more than one of the complaints we read.

Reported Once (3)

Show the 3 problems reported once

Alternator or charging: failure or loss of drive
48V electrical system: failure or loss of drive
Fire (cause not stated)

How the 2020 Audi A8 Compares With Other Years

The other A8 years of the 4th generation, 2019 to 2026, and the years just before and after it.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2026	Too new	–	–	0.0	1	–
2025	Not scored	–	–	0.0	1	–
2024	Not scored	–	–	0.0	2	–
2023	Not scored	–	–	0.0	2	–
2022	Not scored	–	–	0.0	3	–
2021	Not scored	–	–	30.8	10	–
2020 This year	Not scored	–	–	16.5	5	–
2019	Caution	67	1.5×	29.0	3	Alternator or charging: failure or loss of drive
2018	Not scored	–	–	0.0	2	–

See every A8 year

2020 Audi A8 Recalls

Five recalls cover the 2020 Audi A8. The most recent was issued in December 2025: “Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111
A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 25V900000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 19, 2025. By the second quarter of 2026, 58% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Power Outlet May Cause Charging Cable to Overheat
An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.
NHTSA 23V842000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 13, 2023. By the fourth quarter of 2025, 89% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Rear Axle May Be Misaligned
Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 22V034000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 26, 2022. By the fourth quarter of 2023, 97% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Rear Axle Lock Nuts May Break
A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 21V295000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Apr 26, 2021. By the first quarter of 2023, 96% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Engine Control Module Malfunction
An engine control module malfunction may cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 21V111000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Feb 24, 2021. By the fourth quarter of 2022, 97% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

2020 Audi A8 Warranty Extensions and Programs

Audi has four warranty extensions for the 2020 Audi A8, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the fuel system, drive axles, engine and driver assistance systems. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which an Audi dealer can check.

Warranty extensionAudi AWA-22-05
Faulty electric fuel pump
The problem:
The electric fuel pump can be faulty. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
The fix:
An Audi dealer repairs or replaces a faulty electric fuel pump, with any parts and labor needed.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2018 to 2021 S4, S5 and SQ5, 2019 to 2021 Q8 and A8, and 2020 and 2021 Q7. Cars already repaired still qualify, but totaled cars do not.
Coverage:
15 years or 150,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-23-02
CV joint failure
The problem:
A CV joint can fail from a defect. The bulletin does not say which joint or describe the symptoms.
The fix:
An Audi dealer diagnoses the CV joint and replaces it for free if it failed from a defect.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2018 Q5 and Q7, 2019 A6, A7, A8, Q5, Q7, Q8 and e-tron, and 2020 A6, A7, A8, Q5 and Q8. Other problems found during diagnosis are not covered.
Coverage:
5 years or 60,000 miles from the in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-23-07
Crankcase breather failure, 4.0 engine
The problem:
The crankcase breather on the 4.0 EA825 engine can fail from a defect. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
The fix:
An Audi dealer diagnoses the crankcase breather and replaces it for free if it failed from a defect.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2019 to 2023 Audis with the 4.0 EA825 engine. The bulletin names no model. Other problems found during diagnosis are not covered.
Coverage:
15 years or 150,000 miles from the in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-24-04
Automatic emergency braking system faults
The problem:
The automatic emergency braking, or AEB, system can malfunction when its control unit, a camera, the LIDAR or a sensor fails.
The fix:
An Audi dealer repairs the AEB fault and Audi pays 75 percent of the cost. Damage from crashes, impacts, moved sensors or weather is not covered.
Who qualifies:
Certain Audis covered by the settlement, with a confirmed fault in the AEB control unit, cameras, LIDAR or sensors. If the new car warranty's time ran out by May 16, 2024, the extension's time limit was November 16, 2024.
Coverage:
Up to 12 months or 12,000 miles after the new car warranty ends. Ask an Audi dealer for the exact terms.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)

2020 Audi A8 NHTSA Investigations

NHTSA has opened one investigation that covers the 2020 Audi A8. It has closed.

Pedestrian alert sounds on hybrid and electric vehicles
Closed
A petition asked NHTSA to apply its pedestrian alert sound standard to all electric and hybrid vehicles. NHTSA opened a defect petition in January 2023. NHTSA's file lists Audi hybrid and electric models from 2013 to 2022, including the e-tron, A3 e-tron, Q5, A7 and A8. The petitioner withdrew in June 2023. NHTSA closed the case without a finding.
NHTSA DP22005 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Jan 27, 2023 to Aug 7, 2023

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2020 A8, from its five recalls and four Audi warranty extensions that may still apply.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 NHTSA 25V900000
Power Outlet May Cause Charging Cable to Overheat NHTSA 23V842000
Rear Axle May Be Misaligned NHTSA 22V034000
Rear Axle Lock Nuts May Break NHTSA 21V295000
Engine Control Module Malfunction NHTSA 21V111000

Ask an Audi Dealer

Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

AWA-22-05: faulty electric fuel pump
AWA-23-02: CV joint failure
AWA-23-07: crankcase breather failure, 4.0 engine
AWA-24-04: automatic emergency braking system faults

Ask the Seller

Ask for the service records, especially oil changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All A8 Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Audi may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.