2021 Audi A8 Engine Control Module Recall (21V111)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 238 vehicles · Reported February 24, 2021
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is recalling 238 2021 Audi A8; 2021 Audi S8 vehicles. A missing sealing pin may allow moisture to enter the engine control module connector, possibly causing a control module malfunction. An engine control module malfunction may cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V111 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V111000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 97EV |
| Date reported to NHTSA | February 24, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2021 Audi A8; 2021 Audi S8 |
| Units affected | 238 |
| Component | Engine And Engine Cooling > Engine > Engine Control Module (Ecu / Ecm) |
| Safety risk | An engine control module malfunction may cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Audi A8 in recall 21V111?
A missing sealing pin may allow moisture to enter the engine control module connector, possibly causing a control module malfunction.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A8 and 2020-2021 Audi S8 vehicles. A missing sealing pin may allow moisture to enter the engine control module connector, possibly causing a control module malfunction.
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.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 A8 with recall 21V111?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: An engine control module malfunction may cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: An engine control module malfunction may cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the engine control module.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V111?
Recall 21V111 covers 238 vehicles: 2021 Audi A8; 2021 Audi S8.
NHTSA lists 238 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Audi | A8 |
| 2021 | Audi | S8 |
What is the fix for the A8 engine control module recall?
Yes. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine control module connector for a missing sealing pin, and install it, if necessary.
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 contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 97EV.
When was recall 21V111 announced?
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. reported recall 21V111 to NHTSA on February 24, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| February 24, 2021 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V111000. |
This recall was filed 68 months ago. If your A8 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my A8 is part of recall 21V111?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V111 is open on your A8, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 21V111000 is open on your A8, it will be listed there, along with Audi recall number 97EV. You can also ask any Audi dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should A8 owners do about recall 21V111?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V111000 applies to your A8.
- Call a Audi dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Keep a simple log of any engine control module symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are A8 owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 2 of them about the engine.
Too few NHTSA complaints about the engine have been filed since recall 21V111 was reported (2) to say whether the fix is holding.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 6 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 2 of them involve the engine. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Audi A8: 5 complaints in total, 1 about the engine
- 2021 Audi S8: 1 complaints in total, 1 about the engine
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
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.
2021 Audi A8 owner, NY, NHTSA complaint 11581253, filed April 4, 2024
Can recall 21V111 make my A8 a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Engine defects can mean stalling, loss of power, oil consumption or overheating. When the same engine complaint brings the 2021 Audi A8 back to the dealer more than once, that history matters under California's lemon law.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A typical pattern: an owner reports the transmission slipping, and the dealer can't verify it. Six months later, NHTSA issues a recall for the same problem. Because the recall confirms the defect, the mileage offset goes back to that first visit.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your A8 been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Audi A8 recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V111
Is the 21V111000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my A8 is part of recall 21V111000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V111000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Audi. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.