2020 Audi A8 reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2020 Audi A8 holds 0 complaints after 7 years, a rate of 0 per year. A8 years here cluster close together — the other years’ median is 0 complaints per year. NHTSA has 5 recalls on file, including Camera, Onboard charging cable, and Tires.

2012 Audi A8 — Photo by Alexander Migl, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

Next to 2019

The 2019 A8 has 0 complaints, 0 per year. The 2020 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2019.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2020 Audi A8. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (5)

Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2025-12-19 · NHTSA campaign 25V900000

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."

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.

Recall Onboard charging cable 2023-12-13 · NHTSA campaign 23V842000

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.

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.

Recall Tires 2022-01-26 · NHTSA campaign 22V034000

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.

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.

Recall Rear non-powered axle assembly 2021-04-26 · NHTSA campaign 21V295000

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.

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.

Recall engine and cooling, engine, engine control module 2021-02-24 · NHTSA campaign 21V111000

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.

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.

Complaints by component (0 total)

No complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
A8 L	4L, 8-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	All-wheel drive	15	23	18 MPG	$4450
A8 L	3L, 6-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	All-wheel drive	17	26	21 MPG	$3800
A8 L	3L, 6-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	All-wheel drive	21	27	23 MPG / 420 mi range	$3450

Specs and fitment

D5 generation, 2019–2020

Body styles Sedan

Oil 0W-20 or 0W-30 (engine dependent; confirm on cap)

Tire size 255/45R19, 265/40R20 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA safety recall 21V-111 covers 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 that can stall the engine and increase crash risk. Remedy: dealers inspect the connector for a missing sealing pin and install it if necessary, and inspect for corrosion. NHTSA safety recall 19V-415 covers certain 2019 Audi A8 vehicles equipped with rear relaxation seats: the front passenger seat track rivet may fail and cause the spindle bracket to separate, increasing injury risk in a crash. Remedy: dealers replace the passenger seat tracks free of charge. When NHTSA lists A8 and S8 together, the published unit count is shared.

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See every Audi A8 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Audi A8 reliable?

Is the 2020 Audi A8 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2019 A8 has 0 complaints, 0 per year. The 2020 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2019.

Has the 2020 Audi A8 been recalled?

The 2020 Audi A8 has 5 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Audi A8?

Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 2020 Audi A8 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2020 Audi A8 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2020 Audi A8 is 20.7 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a US Audi A8 use?

0W-20 or 0W-30 (engine dependent; confirm on cap)

What tire sizes fit a US Audi A8?

Published US specs commonly list front 255/45R19, 265/40R20 (trim dependent) and rear 255/45R19, 265/40R20 (trim dependent); confirm on the door jamb placard for your trim.

What NHTSA recalls affect the US Audi A8?