NHTSA vehicle safety data

2021 Audi SQ8 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2021 Audi SQ8 has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 3 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Audi dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2021 Audi SQ8, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2021 Audi SQ8 owner complaints

Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Audi SQ8, describing incidents dated November 27, 2020 to February 2, 2022.

Most-cited components

Power Train 2 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Suspension 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11452516 · Filed February 17, 2022
MMI system stops working all of a sudden. This has happened multiple times and especially when it takes updates on its own. When called customer service they referred to the dealer stating they cannot do anything. Right after my call with them the car starts functioning back to normal. When I took…
ODI #11430803 · Filed August 27, 2021
This 2021 Audi SQ8 vehicle was purchased new. The vehicle features an automatic engine stop/start feature which is intended to enhance vehicle fuel economy. The incident(s) include: (1) multiple instances when slowing to a stop and the stop/start feature turned off the vehicle engine before the…
ODI #11422997 · Filed June 30, 2021
The contact owns a 2021 Audi SQ8. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V295000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…

Read all 3 complaints

Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111

NHTSA #25V900000 · Back Over Prevention — Sensing System — Camera · NHTSA notice

Reported December 19, 2025 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 356,894 vehicles

Repair completion: 69.01% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 90TV · Owners notified January 14, 2026 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Instrument Panel Display Failure

NHTSA #25V201000 · Electrical System — Instrument Cluster/Panel · NHTSA notice

Reported March 31, 2025 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 44,387 vehicles

Repair completion: 83.86% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 90VC · Owners notified April 24, 2025

Defect description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 SQ8, A6 SEDAN, A7, A8, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S6 SEDAN, S7, S8, A6 Allroad, and SQ7 vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or go to nhtsa.gov.

Rearview Display Inoperative/FMVSS 111

NHTSA #22V742000 · Back Over Prevention — Display Function · NHTSA notice

Reported October 5, 2022 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 170,296 vehicles

Repair completion: 95.9% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 91DZ · Owners notified October 25, 2022

Defect description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. 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."

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Rear Axle May Be Misaligned

NHTSA #22V034000 · Tires · NHTSA notice

Reported January 26, 2022 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 31,058 vehicles

Repair completion: 98.49% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 42L5 · Owners notified March 3, 2022

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Seat Belt Locking Retractor Malfunction/FMVSS 208

NHTSA #21V606000 · Seat Belts — Rear/Other — Retractor · NHTSA notice

Reported August 5, 2021 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 45,496 vehicles

Repair completion: 98.51% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 69CR, 69CS · Owners notified August 27, 2021

Defect description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. 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."

Safety consequence

An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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 (VW) and 69CS (Audi).

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Engine Cylinder Bore Surface May Develop Cracks

NHTSA #21V339000 · Engine · NHTSA notice

Reported May 12, 2021 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 15 vehicles

Repair completion: 100% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 10G9 · Owners notified July 9, 2021

Defect description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi SQ7, RSQ8, RS7, RS6 AVANT, and SQ8 vehicles. Cracks may develop on the surface of the engine cylinder bore.

Safety consequence

Cracks may cause engine damage and a stall or an oil leak, increasing the risk of a crash or fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 10G9.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2021 Audi SQ8 SUV AWD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

16% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control Forward Collision Warning Lane Departure Warning

3 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Audi SQ8.

Power Train; Electrical System

ODI #11452516

Incident: February 2, 2022 · Filed: February 17, 2022

MMI system stops working all of a sudden. This has happened multiple times and especially when it takes updates on its own. When called customer service they referred to the dealer stating they cannot do anything. Right after my call with them the car starts functioning back to normal. When I took it to the dealer for service and the problem, Dealer mentioned Audi has received complaints about the new models being affected and is aware of the problem but there is no software patch released yet. Its dangerous to drive as all functions are are turned off including cameras, Bluetooth, collision warning, blind spot, lane departure, music and more (except the engine running). Another issue is with its auto engine stop function, is when you are at a red light with a complete stop and when the light turns green and you are ready to move, the car takes a second or two to get the engine started and pulls back a little. Also the transmission pulls rough at that time of start. Am not sure why this is happening. The car pulls back even when the auto engine stop function is turned off.

Power Train

ODI #11430803

Incident: November 27, 2020 · Filed: August 27, 2021

This 2021 Audi SQ8 vehicle was purchased new. The vehicle features an automatic engine stop/start feature which is intended to enhance vehicle fuel economy. The incident(s) include: (1) multiple instances when slowing to a stop and the stop/start feature turned off the vehicle engine before the vehicle has come to a stop, leaving the vehicle to "coast" to a complete stop but without the aid of power steering, full braking capacity and ordinary functionality of a running engine; (2) one instance when parking and the /start feature turned off the vehicle engine, in a drive aisle of a busy plaza parking lot, after I stopped and moved the transmission to reverse in order to back into a parking space; and (3) multiple failures to quickly start and permit required fast acceleration when the start/stop feature would not turn on the engine on demand to permit quick acceleration needed to safely cross a 2 lane roadway in front of approaching traffic from the opposite direction.

Suspension

ODI #11422997

Incident: June 30, 2021 · Filed: June 30, 2021

The contact owns a 2021 Audi SQ8. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V295000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Other Audi SQ8 model years

Check your 2021 Audi SQ8 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Audi SQ8 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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