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2020 Audi Q8
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2020 | 1 | 1 |
| Jan 2021 | 1 | 2 |
| Jul 2021 | 1 | 3 |
| Oct 2021 | 1 | 4 |
| Feb 2022 | 1 | 5 |
| Aug 2022 | 1 | 6 |
| Sep 2022 | 1 | 7 |
| Dec 2022 | 2 | 9 |
| Feb 2023 | 1 | 10 |
| Apr 2023 | 2 | 12 |
| Sep 2023 | 1 | 13 |
| Dec 2023 | 1 | 14 |
| Feb 2024 | 2 | 16 |
| Mar 2024 | 1 | 17 |
| Jan 2025 | 1 | 18 |
| Feb 2025 | 1 | 19 |
| May 2025 | 1 | 20 |
| Sep 2025 | 2 | 22 |
| Oct 2025 | 1 | 23 |
| Jan 2026 | 2 | 25 |
| Jun 2026 | 1 | 26 |
| Aug 2026 | 1 | 27 |
| Sep 2026 | 1 | 28 |
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.govFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This bulletin provides general information about the current tpp issues for Audi connect.
This bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.
STEERING
This bulletin provides information when the steering wheel clicks when it is adjusted vertically.
ENGINE
This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed and only order the successor parts going forward.
STEERING
This bulletin provides service infomraiton regardin gthe identifaction of noises with dynamic steering.
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
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.