RoadVitals

2020 Audi Q8

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
28
+1 complaint in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Dec 19, 2025
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

Overview

Our database contains 28 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Audi Q8, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and fuel system categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1,310 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine927.3%
  • Electrical618.2%
  • Fuel system618.2%
  • Driver assistance515.2%
  • Powertrain (other)26.1%
  • Steering26.1%
  • Visibility13.0%
  • Brakes13.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Dec 19, 2025
356,894 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 90TVView on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Jul 20, 2022
49,443 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi Q8, and 2020-2021 Audi Q7 vehicles. A component inside the fuel pump may break, causing the fuel pump to fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 20DR.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 20DRView on NHTSA.gov

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

May 13, 2020
531 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Audi Q8 vehicles. An insufficient weld on a transmission oil pipe may cause the vehicle to leak automatic transmission fluid (ATF).
The risk: If transmission fluid leaks while driving, the road surface may become slippery, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission oil pipe and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 12, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 38C7.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 38C7View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

ElectricalVisibility
Filed Sep 7, 2026

I am reporting a recurring problem with the front passenger-side window on my 2020 Audi Q8. This issue began when the vehicle was approximately two years old and has continued intermittently. When attempting to close the front passenger window, the window will sometimes automatically reverse direction and go back down instead of closing. On September 7, 2026, after the vehicle was parked and turned off, the passenger window lowered and would not close normally. Each time I attempted to raise it, the window would reverse and lower again. I was eventually able to close the window only by repeatedly operating the switch in very small increments until the glass finally reached the fully closed and sealed position. I have previously cleaned the window and window-channel area and attempted to resolve the problem, but the condition continues to return. Because the window can unexpectedly lower and can become extremely difficult or impossible to close normally, I am concerned about the reliability and safety of the window regulator, anti-pinch system, door control module, or related software/electrical components. This has been an intermittent problem for several years and is not normal wear or a one-time occurrence. I am reporting it so NHTSA can determine whether other owners of 2020 Audi Q8 vehicles are experiencing similar front-window failures and whether further investigation is warranted.

NHTSA ID
11762522
Incident
Sep 5, 2022
Engine
Filed Aug 22, 2026

I am reporting an ongoing cooling-system/water-pump issue with my 2020 Audi Q8, approximately 75,000 miles. The problem began when the vehicle repeatedly displayed a low-coolant warning. Inspection confirmed the coolant level was very low and a significant problem involving the coolant pump/vacuum system was diagnosed. The water pump was subsequently replaced. After the repair, the vehicle initially appeared normal, but problems continued. I experienced engine sputtering/rough running and the vehicle felt as though it might stall while stopped at a traffic light. A Drive System Malfunction/check-engine warning appeared, and cruise control/driver-assistance functions became unavailable. The check-engine light has continued to return intermittently. There was also an issue with a loose cap following the water-pump repair, which was corrected. Despite this, the low-coolant warning later returned and the coolant reservoir was again confirmed to be low. Coolant was added and the vehicle was returned to the repair facility to locate a leak. The shop kept the vehicle for several days and ran it for approximately two hours while inspecting it but could not reproduce or locate a coolant leak. The check-engine light went out during testing but returned shortly after the vehicle was picked up and driven normally. A sensor was also replaced based on a diagnostic code, but the check-engine light returned afterward. I have now spent more than $3,000 attempting to correct these issues, yet the cause of the recurring coolant loss and warning lights has not been determined. I am concerned that this may represent a recurring defect involving the water pump/cooling or related vacuum-control system. My primary safety concern is the possibility of unexpected coolant loss, overheating, engine malfunction, reduced power, or stalling while driving. I am requesting that this complaint be documented and investigated for similar incidents involving 2020 Audi Q8 vehicles.

NHTSA ID
11758701
Incident
Jun 8, 2026
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 10, 2026

I am reporting a severe safety hazard on my 2020 Audi Q8 directly caused by the software update for NHTSA Recall 25V900 (Audi 90TV). The recall shows as "completed" on my VIN, but it left the vehicle with an active driver assistance defect that did not exist before. No accident has occurred, but there is a severe risk of a crash. Following the recall, the Audi Side Assist (blind-spot monitoring) behavior changed dangerously. When I signal a lane change while a vehicle is in my blind spot, the mirror LEDs blink only 3 times and then return to a solid, dim state—even though the vehicle is still actively there. If you miss that brief 3-blink window, the dim LED falsely implies the lane is clear. This has caused 3 separate highway close calls (no crash occurred) where I almost merged into a vehicle because the warning period is inadequately short. This defect followed a catastrophic failure during the recall execution. I dropped the car at Audi Chantilly on Jan 13, 2026. When picked up on Jan 29, the lane-keep assist was broken (bouncing the vehicle left and right between lanes) and an SOS malfunction light was on. It took the dealer over 2 additional months to "fix" the corrupted camera/localization modules, finally returning the car in early April. While the major module errors are gone, the underlying side assist logic remains broken and hazardous. Because of a bitter, 3-month waiting experience where the vehicle was degraded, I do not trust Audi Chantilly to fix this. I need guidance on how to compel Audi to investigate this post-recall software defect and allow me to have it corrected at a different dealership.

NHTSA ID
11743298
Incident
Apr 30, 2026
Engine
Filed Jan 23, 2026

Engine failed at 78,990 from an manufacturer defect that Audi knows about for the last couple of years. Audi extended warranty due to the failure to 8 years or 80K miles. The engines can lock up due to a piston failure in the scored cylinder walls causing a crash. Oil consumption is very high causing vehicle to burn oil and not pass smoke test. Please investigate these engine failure and manufacturer defects with this engine in multiple vehicles 3.0L turbo gas engine thanks

NHTSA ID
11712895
Incident
Jun 23, 2025
Filed Jan 14, 2026

My cameras are not working sometimes. I received a recall notification on my app regarding backup camera. I did a software update at the dealer audi of queens on 1/6/26. Cameras were working fine for a week, but now I started having issues again.

NHTSA ID
11710994
Incident
Jan 13, 2026
Engine
Filed Oct 14, 2025

Water pump failed coolant leaked all over the vehicle five years old and a $7500 repair vacuum seals and most of the engine is damaged from the coolant. I have the video from the dealership but can’t upload

NHTSA ID
11693465
Incident
Oct 1, 2025
Engine
Filed Sep 24, 2025

Catastrophic engine failure on Audi Q8 3.0L turbo. Per service manager it a know issue and Audi just sent out a letter extending engine warranty to 80,000 miles. Per Audiworld forum Audi is replacing some engines and charging some owners $27,000 Audi needs to be investigated and held accountable for people that have faulty engines and can make the car crash when engine locks up

NHTSA ID
11689306
Incident
Jun 9, 2025
BrakesElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 11, 2025

I am reporting a safety defect issue that I believe is an alternator recall waiting to happen. While driving with my children, my Audi suffered a sudden, complete electrical failure caused by what I was later told is an alternator defect. The vehicle shut off without warning. At that moment, I lost braking power, the ability to shift into neutral, and full control of the vehicle’s speed. Because of this defect, I was unable to slow or stop the car safely putting myself, my passengers, and others on the road at serious risk. I request that NHTSA investigate whether this alternator issue constitutes a recall-worthy safety defect under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

NHTSA ID
11686773
Incident
Sep 8, 2025

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB_2082976_2

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides general information about the current tpp issues for Audi connect.

TSB_2074436_3

This bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.

TSB_2064535_4

STEERING

This bulletin provides information when the steering wheel clicks when it is adjusted vertically.

SM 34-2026

ENGINE

This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed and only order the successor parts going forward.

TSB_2063546_5

STEERING

This bulletin provides service infomraiton regardin gthe identifaction of noises with dynamic steering.

TSB_2063528_5

STEERING

This bulletin provides service information when thre are engine noises in the vehicle interior.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Audi Q8 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027000—
2026010—
2025320—
2024233058.8
2023720—
2022230—
2021307050.8
2020Viewing283055.7
20191095050.9

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.