NHTSA campaign 20V397000 · Manufacturer campaign 51G6
Audi Recall 20V-397: Engine Compartment Seal May Detach
NHTSA recall 20V397000 (Manufacturer campaign 51G6) was reported by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. on July 7, 2020, with 12,964 vehicles potentially affected (per NHTSA). NHTSA's record lists the Audi A8 and Audi S8 for model years 2013–2018. Owners were notified on September 4, 2020, per NHTSA.
Updated daily from NHTSA's recall files
Is my vehicle included?
This page lists, by model year, the vehicles NHTSA's recall record names for campaign 20V397000 in the model years try.vin imports (1995 and later); NHTSA's own record can list more. A model year on the list doesn't mean every vehicle of that year is included, and some may already have been repaired.
To see whether a specific vehicle is included and still needs the repair, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Audi VIN check: decode a VIN to see its year, make and model.
Key facts
- NHTSA campaign
- 20V397000 (also written 20V-397 or 20V397)
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Manufacturer campaign number
- 51G6
- Report received
- Potentially affected
- 12,964 vehicles (per NHTSA)
- Component
- Structure — Body — Hood
- Owners notified
Repair completion: 88.95% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated October 21, 2026)
NHTSA cautions against comparing completion rates across recalls or manufacturers. How try.vin reads them.
Vehicles listed for this recall
NHTSA's recall record lists these vehicles for recall 20V397000. try.vin imports model years 1995 and later, so NHTSA's own list can be longer. Model years with a try.vin recall page link to it. Build dates are NHTSA's range for a model year (per NHTSA); a vehicle built in that range is not necessarily included.
NHTSA's recall notice
As NHTSA's recall record states it for campaign 20V397000.
Defect description
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Audi S8 and A8 vehicles. The seal around the engine compartment may come loose and contact hot engine components.
Safety consequence
If the seal contacts hot engine components, there could be an increased risk of a fire.
Manufacturer remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install a retaining plate to prevent the engine compartment seal from loosening. The recall began September 4, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 51G6.
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.
Sources
Official NHTSA notice for recall 20V397000
Campaign details come from NHTSA's recall files, which try.vin imports once a day. The plain-language subject and the completion rate come from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Recalls Data dataset. How try.vin reads recall data.