RoadVitals

2021 Audi Q8 Driver assistance Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Driver assistance 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 Aug 9, 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.
28%
of 29 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 forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2021 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 driver-assistance

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

Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Aug 9, 2026

On multiple occasions, the car states there is a steering malfunction and to stop the car immediately. Power steering fails. The last time I left the car to the dealership to have a recall serviced - it did this. I let the Audi (Fred Lavery Birmingham Michigan) know. They did not respond / did nothing. It has happens at least 10x at varying speeds (some high, med and low speed) since the day I left the dealership

NHTSA ID
11755728
Incident
Aug 9, 2026
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 22, 2025

On April 2, 2025, while driving on Interstate 25, my 2021 Audi Q8 Premium Plus experienced a catastrophic engine and electrical failure. This included the generator system failing, which resulted in a complete loss of power, disabling all active safety systems (including electronic stability control, braking assist, and lane monitoring), as well as basic driving capabilities such as acceleration and steering responsiveness. The incident occurred without prior warning or diagnostic alerts, and the vehicle became immobile on the highway. The situation posed a serious safety hazard to both myself and surrounding drivers. The vehicle had an unresolved generator recall, which Audi later confirmed and completed after the incident. This event raises significant concerns regarding system reliability and pre-failure alert mechanisms in the Q8 platform.

NHTSA ID
11656169
Incident
Apr 2, 2025
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Feb 13, 2025

I had purchases a 2021 Audi Q8 from Carmax on 10/16/2024. There was a time that I was driving at 35 mph in the left lane which I had my signal on to proceed in the turning lane when the car went into park and the crash indicator was on. I was jerked by the force. I also notice when you turn the car on there was a knocking sound. I had taken the vehicle into Westmont Audi on 11/22/2024. They had checked it out and said the noise was normal. I advised them to do a complete inspection on the vehicle while it was under warranty to make sure there was no other issues. They said everything looked great and that there were no codes. They don't know why the car had stopped. They did the 50k inspection as well. After that I start to experience indicator on for Intersection assistant malfunction please contact service, Audi pre sense; currently limited see owner's Manuel, and Rear Cross-Traffic assist: Malfunction, please contact service. At first thought it was normal but then it was persistent. On 2/11/2025 the check engine light had come on. I called the dealer on 2/12/2025 first thing in the morning. They advised me that it will be under warranty. I had dropped the car off to Westmont Audi and we went over the issues the vehicle was having. They informed me that it was under warranty. Once I left, they called and said it will not be covered. According to their investigation its two software that have to be updated. One for the pre sense and other for a misfire. The vehicle drags to pick up speed. This vehicle has been nothing but problems. The vehicle is not safe to drive because it is not 100% working properly the software's along with other issues. Also, I had them do a scan on the vehicle and there were so many codes on which I have attached them. It now will cost over $500.00 in repairs.

NHTSA ID
11642501
Incident
Feb 6, 2025
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 31, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q8. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed in the rain, the automatic braking system sensors engaged. There was an abnormal sputtering sound coming from the vehicle. The driver believed that the vehicle had struck an object. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, who was unable to repair the sensor, and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and filed a claim. The approximate failure mileage was 8,600.

NHTSA ID
11639903
Incident
Mar 1, 2024
Mileage
8,600 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 21, 2024

The vehicle recently started to behave uncharacteristically when navigating around the curbs and changing lanes, it feels like you have hit a patch of black ice or an oil slick which I attributed to needing new tires. I purchased new tires according to the vehicle Audi manufacturer specification and had an alignment done on 2/14/2024 as is required for all-wheel drive vehicles. The situation was explained to the Audi South Atlanta Service Desk on 2/14/2024 and was logged as "Customer states that the vehicle stutters/shakes and tires seem to lower when changing lanes & going around light curves. The Customer requested that the lane departure system and other related components be checked to confirm if they are operating as designed." Dealership feedback: "Test drove: vehicle driven 2 miles and operating normally when compared to the same or similar models. No DTC's detected & lane departure system operating properly at the same time. The only noise/feeling felt was coming from the Audit Quattro bind from the all-wheel drive electronic - normal behavior." Despite the Audi Service Dept diagnosis and analysis of the issue reported, the behavior continues and is very unnerving. It seems like the front and rear axles are not in sync with the Audi Quattro Electronic all-wheel drive system. I reported the matter to Audi of America, Inc. Customer Care, Case# 06125039 on 2/21/2024, and would like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to be aware of this situation in the event other owners of the Audit Q8 report the matter or this issue results in death or injuries.

NHTSA ID
11573249
Incident
Feb 8, 2024
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 11, 2024

Took Audi Q8 in Jan 29 2024 do to 2 indicates one was a low oil, and a week before a Addaptive Lighting Warning came on my vehicle 2x , the following day to Warning light did NOT appear but the Blind Spot/Lane Assist lights did not operate. They were unable to resolve the issue Fault B200FF - TBS 2067531/2 Cleared fault but still do not work.

NHTSA ID
11571295
Incident
Feb 11, 2024
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 31, 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q8. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for scheduled maintenance and she was notified of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V742000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact stated that she was informed that the recall was repaired however, after the vehicle was retrieved, two hours later while in reverse, the rear-view camera failed to operate. The contact then stated that the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure; however, the contact had not yet received a response. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.

NHTSA ID
11491633
Incident
Oct 28, 2022
Mileage
17,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 22, 2022

When my car is placed in reverse, the parking assist system is activated. The cameras are supposed to turn on to give me visibility and warnings if cars or people are approaching. Instead, the screen will go out and start blinking with a white screen. This results in an inability to safely maneuver and no camera visibility. This happens often and have been able to record 2 instances on my phone. I have reported the issue to the dealership twice and because it cannot be replicated, the issue has not been resolved. With each visit, video has been provided to service department.

NHTSA ID
11470373
Incident
Oct 28, 2021

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .