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Audi A8Model year report

2021 Audi A8 Problems

Complaints
5filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
—no mileage reported
Recalls
10campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl · hybrid AWD · 17 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Audi A8 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2021 Audi A8. The part named most often is electrical system, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (2) and engine (1). NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns and 1,267 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 3 recall campaigns covering the onboard and 477 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 25 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Electrical system: “Total electrical shutdown over about 2 minutes. Stranded on road. All electrical systems failed rapidly. Strongly suspect this is part of known BSG/alternator issues with this model.”

NHTSA complaint #11581253, filed 2024-04

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20212022220242026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2021 Audi A8 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving); plug-in hybrid figures are for gasoline-only (hybrid mode) driving, so no annual cost is shown.

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
A8 L AWD3.0L 6-cyl · hybrid8-speed automatic172621$3,900
A8 L AWD4.0L 8-cyl · hybrid8-speed automatic152318$4,550
A8 L AWD3.0L 6-cyl · plug-in hybrid8-speed automatic212623 gas only—

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 10 recalls for the 2021 Audi A8 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1,267 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 1,267 bulletins →

Other model years of the Audi A8

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20215—10—21—Not enough data
20191424,5263—22—Not enough data
2017851,0003—22—Not enough data
20161143,5004—22—Not enough data
20153148,0005—22Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20141857,5345—21—Falling
20135062,5006—21Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20121179,6281—21—Not enough data
20111581,5001—21—Falling
200957,2121—18—Not enough data
2008855,1181—18—Not enough data
2006644,0002—18—Not enough data
2005612,0001—18—Not enough data
20042028,0001—18—Stable
2001686,0002—18—Not enough data
1999961,4044—18—Not enough data
19971069,0002—18—Not enough data

All Audi A8 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Audi A8 have?

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2021 Audi A8 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2021 Audi A8 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 2.

Has the 2021 Audi A8 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Audi A8 get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Audi A8 (A8 L, 3.0L 6-cyl · hybrid) at 21 mpg combined, 17 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.