Hearth Record

Structure: body: hood (Audi)

Vehicle recall 20V-397. NHTSA received Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.’s report on Jul 7, 2020.

NHTSA’s own record, on nhtsa.gov

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The short answer

NHTSA received Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.’s report on Jul 7, 2020. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 27, 2026.

Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.

What’s wrong with it?

If the seal contacts hot engine components, there could be an increased risk of a fire.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

(Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Audi S8 and A8 vehicles.

The seal around the engine compartment may come loose and contact hot engine components.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 27, 2026. Updated daily.

  • NHTSA’s part: Structure: body: hood.

What should you do?

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install a retaining plate to prevent the engine compartment seal from loosening. The recall began September 4, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 51G6.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 27, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: 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.
  • Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.

Which ones are recalled?

NHTSA counts 12,964 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

Each model year opens its own page: every recall naming it, its owner complaints and its crash ratings.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 27, 2026. Updated daily.

Who is recalling it?

  • Made by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc..
Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 27, 2026. Updated daily.

What the record doesn’t say

  • NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt. Owners’ complaints are counted on each vehicle’s page.
  • Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
  • How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010).

    Released Oct 27, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).

Source:

Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 27, 2026.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

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1 of 4

Every fact names its source.

Who published it, when, and how often it changes sit beside each fact, with a link to the agency’s own file.

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