The Audi A8 L e spans 2021–2021 with 1 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2021 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2021. It delivers up to 26 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Audi A8 L e is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2021 to 2021 across multiple generations.
How to read a Audi A8 L e VIN — every digit explained
Every Audi A8 L e carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Audi and the country it was built in (real Audi codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this A8 L e.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- GermanyWA1 · WAU · WU1 · WUA
- HungaryTRU
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your A8 L e, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Audi A8 L e have?
The Audi A8 L e has 1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2021–2021. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the Audi A8 L e
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 1 tracked years, the worst years are 2021 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2021.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 A8 L e | Back Over Prevention | Avoid |
What are the most common Audi A8 L e problems?
The most-reported Audi A8 L e problems are Back Over Prevention (1 reports) — out of 1 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Audi A8 L e specifications & dimensions
The 2021 Audi A8 L e. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Audi A8 L e window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Audi A8 L e cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the A8 L e holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 92 cu ft of passenger volume and 24 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Audi A8 L e tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Audi A8 L e get?
The Audi A8 L e returns up to 26 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,950/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2021 Audi A8 L e (2L 4-cyl Hybrid) gets 26 mpg combined and costs about $2,950/yr to fuel, emitting 335 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 5/10, smog 5/10) — about $3,750 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 A8 L e | 24 | 30 | $2,950 | 335 | 5/10 | 2L 4-cyl Hybrid |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the A8 L e stacks up against the most fuel-efficient wagons, or calculate this A8 L e's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Audi A8 L e have? Power & range
The Audi A8 L e is offered with 1 powertrain — 2L 4-cyl Hybrid. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 2.0L · 4-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | AWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Audi A8 L e cost to own?
A Audi A8 L e tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Check what a used A8 L e is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this A8 L e loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $14,750 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the A8 L e ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a Audi A8 L e to insure?
A Audi A8 L e costs about $3,154 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 119% above the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (219, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the A8 L e's HLDI loss index. See Audi insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Audi A8 L e safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the A8 L e yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Audi A8 L e last?
A well-maintained Audi A8 L e typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Check your Audi A8 L e’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this A8 L e’s VIN free →All Audi A8 L e model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Audi A8 L e — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 A8 L e | 1 recall | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the A8 L e?
By owner-complaint volume, 2021 drew the most reports. 2021 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the A8 L e have?
1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2021–2021. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Audi recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the A8 L e get?
Up to 26 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a A8 L e last?
A well-maintained A8 L e typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the A8 L e reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the A8 L e is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Audi A8 L e warranty?
New Audi models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 4 years / 50,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Audi dealer.
Where is the Audi A8 L e made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your A8 L e's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Audi may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the A8 L e have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.