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2021 Audi RS Q8

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 RS Q8.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2021 Audi RS Q8 carries a 10.0‑quart oil capacity with 0W‑40 viscosity and is paired with an automatic transmission. Its EPA fuel‑economy rating is 13/19/15 mpg, and over the 2020‑2026 period it logged only two owner complaints, both occurring in 2021, while seven recalls have been issued, primarily concerning the steering and electrical systems. Thus, the 2021 model year stands as the only year in its complaint history with two complaints, indicating a relatively stable early lifecycle for the model.

Model year202520242023202220212020

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity10.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-40OEM · verified
Lug nut torque118 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy13/19/15 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage. battery, OE oil filter 06M115331A. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage.OEM · verified
Tire size295/40ZR22/XL (112Y)OEM · verified
Wheel / rim10, Optional: 10.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter06M115331A alt 06M115441G
Engine air filter4M0133843G
Spark plug0P2905601A
Battery000915089BC
Front wiper blades4M8998002
Thermostat0P2121115E alt 06M121688
Cabin air filter4M0819439C

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length197.2 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height67.3 in
Wheelbase118.1 in
Curb weight5269 lb
Track (front / rear)66.1 / 66.5 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined13 / 19 / 15 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the RS Q8 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

3.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 3.40 sec — 2021 SUV
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021SUV 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 + Elec3.40 sec11.80 sec591 hpAWD
2020SUV 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 + Elec3.20 sec11.60 sec591 hpAWD
2023SUV 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 + Elec3.50 sec11.90 sec591 hpAWD
2025Performance 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 + Elec3.10 sec11.50 sec631 hpAWD
2025Performance 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 + Elec3.30 sec11.60 sec631 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 10.0 qt of 0W-40 engine oil, Front: 0D; Rear: 0DG; Rear: 0BX in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 118 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to Use new seal: 22.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidAudi P/N G 060 162 A2
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity9.0 qt
Brake FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilFront: 0D; Rear: 0DG; Rear: 0BX
Engine Oil0W-40
Engine Oil Capacity10.0 qt
Transfer Case FluidAudi P/N G 055 145 A2

Engine torques

Cylinder Head InstructionsOnly use new bolts.
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse new seal: 22.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs80.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill PlugFront: 20.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 26.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugFront: 7.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 26.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts118 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: NS, Rear: Use new bolts: 26.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.4
Minimum Pad Thickness0.079" in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1LN; Rear: 2EA

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-1011 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi.

Every 10,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire Repair Kit Sealant (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAir Conditioning Evaporator Case Drain (inspect) · Body Water Drains (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection)
Every 30,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
Every 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 model year represents the apex of regulatory activity for this generation, with 7 recalls compared to 1 in 2020 and a subsequent decline to 3, 2, and 1 recalls in 2024 through 2026. This model year also generated the only 2 consumer complaints in the federal record, split between steering/electrical system and electrical system concerns, alongside a peak of 1,183 technical service bulletins that trails off in later years. Positioned at the crest of the generational arc, 2021 shows the highest concentration of factory-issued corrections before volumes dropped significantly in subsequent model years, suggesting this year received intensive manufacturer scrutiny. With zero crash or fire complaints recorded and the data providing no specific root causes for the recalls, the elevated activity appears to reflect comprehensive factory engagement rather than inherent safety defects. Consequently, the 2021 RS Q8 offers strong value as a corrected and vetted platform, provided verification that all seven recall campaigns were completed.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1183
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
2
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’20’21’24’25’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 2 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Steering,Electrical System1
Electrical System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V606000Seat Belts:Rear/Other:RetractorReported 05/08/2021

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… 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…

22V034000TiresReported 26/01/2022

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1183 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB_2076404_82026-06-29Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin provides a deployment overview for customer service packages MLB and MQB…
TSB_2074640_32026-06-26EngineThis bulletin provides information when there is increased oil consumption; >0.5ltr/1000…
TSB_2079226_52026-06-24StructureThis bulletin provides information when the sliding glass panoramic sunroof is leaking.
TSB_2074729_32026-06-23Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of…
TSB_2059335_72026-06-23Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RS Q8. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group R batteryVehicles taking 10.0 qtEngine oil filter 06M115331AEngine air filter 4M0133843GSpark plug 0P2905601ABattery 000915089BC

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 RS Q8 take?

10.0 qt of Porsche C40 is Recommended or a 0W-40 may be temporarily used., per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 RS Q8 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the RS Q8 get?

EPA figures are 13 city / 19 highway / 15 combined mpg.