2021 Audi S8 recalls & complaints

1. Backup camera

What's wrong, in plain English: The rear camera may not show an image when reversing. A software error may prevent the rear-view image from initially displaying when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

What could happen: A rear-view camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2021 S8.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 21V825000 (manufacturer code 91CR).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-253-2834.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

2. Seat belts

What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

What could happen: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

The fix: 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 (V…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2021 S8.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 21V606000 (manufacturer code 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi)).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-893-5298.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

3. Wheels / tires

What's wrong, in plain English: A wheel or tire can fail while driving. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.

What could happen: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2021 S8.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 22V034000 (manufacturer code 42L5).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-253-2834.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

4. Engine

What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. A missing sealing pin may allow moisture to enter the engine control module connector, possibly causing a control module malfunction.

What could happen: An engine control module malfunction may cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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 contac…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2021 S8.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 21V111000 (manufacturer code 97EV).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-253-2834.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

5. Transmission / drivetrain

What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.

What could happen: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2021 S8.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 21V295000 (manufacturer code 42L1).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-253-2834.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

6. Backup camera

What's wrong, in plain English: The rear camera may not show an image when reversing. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

What could happen: A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2021 S8.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 22V742000 (manufacturer code 91DZ).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-253-2834.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

7. Electrical system

What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail.

What could happen: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2021 S8.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 25V201000 (manufacturer code 90VC).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-253-2834.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

8. Backup camera

What's wrong, in plain English: The rear camera may not show an image when reversing. 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."

What could happen: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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, 202…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2021 S8.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 25V900000 (manufacturer code 90TV).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-253-2834.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (1), Electrical system (1), Engine (1).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.