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2020 Audi Q8
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 26 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Audi Q8, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and driver assistance categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1,289 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 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine826.7%
- Fuel system620.0%
- Driver assistance516.7%
- Electrical516.7%
- Steering26.7%
- Powertrain (other)26.7%
- Body & structure13.3%
- Brakes13.3%
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 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
The vehicle is a 2020 model with less than 55k miles and experienced coolant leaks. Specifically, the water pump was faulty and leaked causing coolant liquid to leak in additional lines and gaskets. The repairs resulted into costs upwards of $5k. When I first brought into dealer, the service rep mentioned that the fluctuating coolant lines wouldn’t be an issue but I further pressed them on doing a pressure test to which the issue was discovered. This is a huge safety problem if my engine was to overheat or face and other issues on the leak. I’ve never heard of a water pump going bad so quickly.
- NHTSA ID
- 11662231
- Incident
- May 2, 2025
- The water pump failed, leading to a coolant leak and potential engine overheating. The failed component is not available for inspection, as it was replaced by an independent repair shop after the dealership quoted an excessive price and could not complete the repair in a timely manner. - A failing water pump can cause engine overheating, sudden power loss, or complete engine failure while driving, which increases the risk of an accident. Additionally, I noticed the smell of coolant inside the cabin, which could indicate a leak that might pose a fire hazard or expose occupants to coolant fumes. - Yes, the issue was diagnosed by an Audi dealership (Audi Northlake), which confirmed that the water pump had failed and needed replacement. Due to their high repair quote and scheduling delays, I had the repair completed at an independent service center, which also confirmed the failure and replaced the water pump. - The issue was confirmed by an Audi dealership but was not formally inspected by Audi corporate, law enforcement, or an insurance company. - Yes, I noticed a coolant smell inside the cabin for a few days before taking it to the dealership. However, there were no warning lights or messages on the dashboard before the failure was diagnosed.
- NHTSA ID
- 11643976
- Incident
- Oct 18, 2024
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
This bulletin provides a statement regarding the bottleneck of supply for VW approved oil types VW 504.00 and VW 507.00.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
This bulletin provides information when DTC B105A1A, B103E25 is stored in 0017; fuel tank level implausible.
STRUCTURE:BODY
This service information TSB provides warranty coverage information for vehicles with a broken sunroof panel.
STRUCTURE:BODY
This bulletin provides information when there is a film/visible rings on the clear glass cover of the headlight when the dipped beam is switched on.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This bulletin provides informatoinw hent here are scratches or a coating on the cover of the instrument cluster, or particles inside of the housing.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
This bulletin provides information when DTC B105A1A, B103E25 is stored in 0017; fuel tank level implausible.
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.