2020 Audi A8 problems
The 2020 Audi A8 was sold with 2 engines that we have documented: the 3.0 TDI V6 and the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6. The 3.0 TDI V6 has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 (verdict “Buy”). Outside the engine, 4 documented faults affect 2020 cars, such as rear axle arm nuts and wheel alignment and camber readjustment.
2020 Audi A8 score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 7 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. One of this car's engines has no documented faults in the versions it uses, but there aren't enough sources to call it reliable either, so it doesn't count towards the engine score. How it is calculated
- Engine5.23 faults
- Gearbox10.0No documented faults
- Suspension8.32 faults and ITV (technical inspection)
- Brakes8.8Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.5 times the defects normal for its age
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering8.2Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.7 times the defects normal for its age
- Electrical system9.31 fault
- Headlights and lights8.1Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.8 times the defects normal for its age
- Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior7.7Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.9 times the defects normal for its age
- Airbags and safety8.91 fault
What changes compared with the 2019 Audi A8
- No longer affected by: automatic gearbox oil pipe with a manufacturing defect (rest of the car)
- Starts to be affected by: airbag impact sensors incorrectly fitted in the front doors (rest of the car)
3.0 TDI V6 engine in the 2020 Audi A8
Names: 50 TDI
- Buy
3.0 TDI EA897 evo2 (DCPC, DDVC, DDVB, DHXA, DHXC, DENA, DEWA, DEWB; 2017-2021)
231–349 hp · DCPC, DDVC, DDVB, DDVE, DHXA, DHXC, DENA, DEND, DEWA, DEWB
A 2024 guide to the A6 C8 reports no current complaints about camshafts or the oil pump in the EA897 family, although there is little history and it keeps the general warning that a chain failure costs several thousand euros.[2]
- Buy
3.0 TDI EA897 evo3 (DMGA, DMGH, DPXA, DPXB, DMGK, DMKC, DMKD; from 2020)
231–344 hp · DMGA, DMGH, DMGK, DPXA, DPXB, DPYC, DPYD, DMKC, DMKD
There are no documented faults of its own in the sources consulted and the A6 C8 guide reports only positive opinions; these are young engines with little history.[1][2]
Faults that affect 2020 cars
- High severityFrequency: CommonCoolingFailing water pump and cooling system leaksOn the 3.0 TDI the water pump can fail and, from 2010, overheat to the point of damaging the engine (the A6 C6 guide cites a service action). Owners also cite coolant leaks from hoses, the regulating valve and the cooler.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming chain stretch and tensioner wearOn the 3.0 TDI V6 the timing chain is at the gearbox end and its tensioner can lose tension: it rattles on a cold start and, if the chain stretches, the timing goes out and the engine is at risk. Replacing it means opening the engine and costs several thousand euros.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionInjector wear (needle seat) and injection faultsGerman guides point to wear of the needle seat of the 3.0 TDI injectors: they stop closing properly, diesel drips into the cylinder and dilutes the oil. Smoke from the exhaust can be the warning, and reports on the 313 hp twin-turbo repeat injection faults.
Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 engine in the 2020 Audi A8
Names: A8 55 TFSI quattro
- Buy
3.0 TFSI turbo (EA839: CZSE, DR, CWGD; 2016 onwards)
330–354 hp · CZSE, DR, CWGD
We have not found any documented faults of its own in open sources; the German A6 C8 guide says this V6 has not given problems so far, although with few years of use and no high-mileage data.[2]
There are no documented Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 faults that affect 2020 cars.
The Audi A8 D5 Audi 3.0 TFSI V6: all its faults and what to checkFaults outside the engine in the 2020 Audi A8
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionRear axle arm nuts and wheel alignment and camber readjustmentAudi recalled A8s built between 7 November 2019 and 16 April 2021 because the eccentric bolt nuts on a rear axle arm could crack through stress corrosion. A second campaign corrected alignment and camber problems that appeared after the first.
- High severityFrequency: RareSuspensionSuspension arms with a manufacturing defect (2018, 2019 and 2024 campaigns)There are three campaigns for the A8 D5's suspension parts: a component that could break (produced November-December 2018), faulty rear wishbones (17 to 25 October 2019) and a front arm with cracks (2024-2025 model years).
- High severityFrequency: RareAirbags and safetyAirbag impact sensors incorrectly fitted in the front doorsAudi recalled A8s built between July and September 2020 because defective impact sensors may have been fitted in both front doors, which could reduce the action of the side, curtain and pretensioner airbags.
- Medium severityFrequency: RareElectrical systemMoisture in the engine control unit due to a connector without a sealing pinAudi recalled 583 A8 and S8 built between April 2018 and October 2020 because a sealing pin was missing from a connector on the engine control unit, allowing moisture in, with emergency mode or stalling possible.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2020 Audi A8 reliable?
The 2020 Audi A8 was sold with 2 engines that we have documented: the 3.0 TDI V6 and the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6. The 3.0 TDI V6 has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 (verdict “Buy”). Outside the engine, 4 documented faults affect 2020 cars, such as rear axle arm nuts and wheel alignment and camber readjustment.
Is the 2020 Audi A8 better than the 2019?
Our score goes from 6.6 in 2019 to 6.6 in 2020. No longer affected by: automatic gearbox oil pipe with a manufacturing defect (rest of the car). Starts to be affected by: airbag impact sensors incorrectly fitted in the front doors (rest of the car).
What is the best year for the Audi A8?
According to our score, the best is 2017 (7.4/10). The year with the worst score is 2019 (6.6/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2020 Audi A8 have?
The most important ones documented for 2020 cars are: failing water pump and cooling system leaks (3.0 TDI V6, high severity), timing chain stretch and tensioner wear (3.0 TDI V6, high severity), injector wear (needle seat) and injection faults (3.0 TDI V6, high severity), suspension arms with a manufacturing defect (2018, 2019 and 2024 campaigns) (suspension, high severity) and airbag impact sensors incorrectly fitted in the front doors (airbags and safety, high severity).
Own a 2020 Audi A8? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- VW EA897Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
- Audi A6 C8 (4K): Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 7 September 2024 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
- List of Volkswagen Group petrol engines (EA837 y EA839)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026