RoadVitals

2020 Audi Q8 Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints 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.
8
Latest Jan 23, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
31%
of 26 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2020 Audi Q8 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 8 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

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
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
Engine
Filed May 20, 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
Engine
Filed Feb 20, 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
Engine
Filed Feb 15, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Audi Q8. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that the oil needed to be topped off frequently. The Check Oil warning light was illuminated and remained illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA ID
11572177
Incident
Mar 5, 2023
Mileage
50,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Dec 14, 2022

My boyfriend was driving the vehicle and it killed on him in the middle of Veterans Highway in Metairie. La back in August 2022. I did not want to drive the car after that. I have grandkids and am a single female and do not want to die or get in a serious accident because the fuel is not getting to the engine properly, or be stranded on the side of the road. i then tried to sell the car and was told that a recall was issued and no one would sell it for me. and so then I was not going to sell a vehicle that is now a danger to everyone on the road. I am still having to pay a car note, and insurance on a car I cannot drive. I have since tried to make several appointments with Audi to get this corrected and they have cancelled on me 3 times because there is no remedy/ solution. I had the car towed to Audi because I refuse to drive a car on the road that is unsafe and put everyone in danger and my grandkids. I even asked them for a rental and they told me because I did not buy the car from that Audi they could not provide me with one.

NHTSA ID
11497429
Incident
Aug 11, 2022
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 22, 2020

THE VEHICLE'S START STOP SYSTEM OR TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE SLUGGISH LEADING TO VARIOUS BOUTS OF HESITATION ESPECIALLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND COASTING AT A SLOW SPEED AND THEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THIS WAS ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT FROM A LEFT TURN LANE AND HAVING THE CAR HESITATE FOR WHAT FELT LIKE A SECOND OR TWO WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH IF SOMEONE WAS COMING IN THE OTHER DIRECTION.

NHTSA ID
11365737
Incident
Oct 20, 2020
Mileage
3,000 mi

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

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