2020 Audi A8 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2020 Audi A8 has a complaint index of 50, ranking 11th out of 21 model years, with 3 complaints and 5 recalls. It sits in the middle of the pack, well below the worst years like 2013 (100) and 2011 (80).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #11 of 21 A8 years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 3
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 17 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2020 Audi A8 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System2 (67%)
- Engine1 (33%)
- Other1 (33%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (33%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- One owner reported an engine fire that occurred after parking the vehicle in a home garage following a short morning drive, confirmed by the fire department.
- One owner described a battery warning light appearing while accelerating from a stop, followed by a total loss of power to the vehicle at highway speed.
- One owner reported the car randomly losing all power and rolling backward while stopped, traced to a failure of the 48V belt-driven starter generator, with replacement parts on extended backorder.
2020 Audi A8 recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V900000Dec 19, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras356,894 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
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."
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.
- NHTSA 23V842000Dec 13, 2023Electrical System93,196 vehicles
Electrical system:propulsion system:charging:cable/cord:onboard
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 22V034000Jan 26, 2022Suspension, Wheels & Tires31,058 vehicles
Tires
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.
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.
2020 Audi A8 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2020 compared with other A8 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Audi A8 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2020 A8 has a complaint index of 50, ranking 11th out of 21 model years for the A8, placing it in the middle of the range rather than among the worst or best years.
- What are the most common problems on the 2020 Audi A8?
- The top problem area is the Electrical System, accounting for 67% of complaints (2 of 3), followed by the Engine and Transmission & Powertrain, each at 33% (1 complaint each).
- Does the 2020 Audi A8 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 A8, covering collision avoidance/cameras, the electrical system, suspension/wheels/tires, and the engine control module connector; none are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2020 A8 compare to other Audi A8 model years?
- The 2020 A8's complaint index of 50 is lower than the worst years like 2013 (100), 2015 (95), and 2019 (90), but higher than newer years such as 2022 (5) and 2018 (0).