What fails and how it appears
Certain A8 MY2019–2021 could lack a sealing plug in an ECM connector. Moisture through the unprotected opening could cause electrical faults: MIL, limp mode with limited engine speed and, Audi reports, possible stalling. Inspect the connection rather than automatically prescribing a new ECM.
Volkswagen Group of America / NHTSA repository: Part 573 Safety Recall Report 21V-111 / Audi97EV
Where to start checking
Campaign 97EV checks plug presence and connector corrosion. A production audit found the missing seal; Audi subsequently added leak and plug-presence checks. This is a specific moisture path, not a description of every A8 electrical error.
Volkswagen Group of America / NHTSA repository: Part 573 Safety Recall Report 21V-111 / Audi97EV
Ask the technician to identify the inspected connector: plug present, visible moisture and affected contacts. Retain codes and baseline photos before cleaning. If the cover/connector was not opened, a dry engine bay is not a contact-inspection result.
When connections need repair
The dated remedy installs a missing plug and replaces corrosion-damaged connections as necessary. It does not unconditionally replace every ECM. The record needs separate seal/contact findings, beyond fault cleared.
Volkswagen Group of America / NHTSA repository: Part 573 Safety Recall Report 21V-111 / Audi97EV
Compare initial complaints with checks after work: remaining MIL/speed limitation and completed tests. An indication disappearing after cleaning does not measure the internal ECM board. Without examining the module, internal damage cannot be declared confirmed.
If the car had an external impact
Separately inspect accessible harness/housing damage at contact. Broken connector, missing factory plug and corrosion are different findings. None alone establishes accident/electrical-failure sequence. This component alone does not justify calling the car flooded.
Which A8 vehicles are covered
21V-111 defines A8 through Audi/supplier records, production August 26, 2019–September 12, 2020. S8 has its own row. MY2019–2021 documentation does not replace VIN applicability and harness-replacement history checks.
Volkswagen Group of America / NHTSA repository: Part 573 Safety Recall Report 21V-111 / Audi97EV
Applicability to the individual vehicle
- Specific US A8 cohort; individual VIN campaign status not established.
- Connector inspection establishes neither flooding nor damage to the whole ECM board.
Primary sources
Sources checked on . Model or recall information does not establish the condition of an individual VIN.
Volkswagen Group of America / NHTSA repository: Part 573 Safety Recall Report 21V-111 / Audi97EV
Applicability and source location
Certain US A8 MY2019–2021, August 26, 2019–September 12, 2020, identified by Audi/supplier records; S8 separate. No extra engine/body variant inferred.
Pages 1–2: A8 cohort, missing ECM connector sealing plug/moisture; pages 2–3: audit and conditional plug/corroded-connection remedy.
Document date: 2021-02-24. Checked: .