RoadVitals

2023 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.
7
Latest May 12, 2026
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.
2
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.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2023 Audi Q8, most frequently naming the brakes, driver assistance and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1,004 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

  • Brakes250.0%
  • Driver assistance125.0%
  • Electrical125.0%

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

2 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
25V900000

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
23V868000

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

Dec 20, 2023
1,001 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2023-2024 SQ8, RSQ8, Q8, Q7, and 2024 SQ7 vehicles. The driver's seat side air bag may have been improperly mounted to the seatback frame. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 214, "Side Impact Protection."
The risk: An improperly mounted air bag may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69GA.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 69GAView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Filed May 12, 2026

My vehicle currently has 55k and water pump failed. Costing me a fortune

NHTSA ID
11737284
Incident
May 1, 2026
Brakes
Filed Mar 27, 2026

1. The front brake on my 2023 Audi Q8 produce an ear-piercing noise when backing up after the car has set for a period of time. 2. The dealer and manufacture state this is not a safety concern, but rather just an annoying noise I have to put up with. 3/4. This ear-piercing noise has been inspected and confirmed by the dealer, and I have provided several video recordings of the noise to the dealer. 5. There are no warning lamps or messages associated with this noise. The noise started about a year after I purchased the vehicle and that's when I contacted the dealer. I was informed that this is a known problem on many Audi Q7s and Q8s and there is nothing the dealer or manufacture can or will do to resolve the issue.

NHTSA ID
11727557
Incident
Oct 1, 2024
Filed Jan 24, 2026

Sunroof imploded while we were driving on I-10. It sounded like a loud gunshot. The panel of the sunroof that elevates shattered.

NHTSA ID
11713120
Incident
Jan 23, 2026
Filed Sep 11, 2025

On a day with an ambient temperature of 115°F in Las Vegas, Nevada, a critical and dangerous malfunction occurred with my 2023 Audi Q8. With the vehicle's keys in my purse, I placed the purse on the front passenger seat. As I was securing my [XXX] in the rear passenger seat, I closed the rear door. Shockingly, the front passenger door simultaneously closed and locked, trapping my child and the keys inside the vehicle. The child was immediately at risk of heatstroke due to the extreme temperature. I have since contacted Audi regarding this serious safety defect. Their representative stated that “keys are not meant to be left in the car” and offered to consider a lease termination after a 60-day review. This is an unacceptable response. The vehicle's design should prevent it from locking with the keys inside, particularly with an occupant present. Although the dealership has since "repaired" the locks, when asked, they could not provide any guarantee that this dangerous situation would not reoccur. This lack of assurance means I am currently forced to operate a vehicle with a known and potentially recurring safety flaw. Audi's inaction and the dealership's inability to guarantee a permanent fix mean this vehicle continues to pose an ongoing risk to my family and others. This incident is a clear and severe safety defect that warrants immediate investigation by the NHTSA to prevent similar occurrences and protect other families from this hazardous situation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11686640
Incident
Aug 20, 2025
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Aug 27, 2025
Crash reported1 injury reported

My 2023 Audi Q8 Pre Sense collision braking system has engaged erroneously on numerous occasions under completely normal driving conditions. It’s terrifying and potentially life-threatening liability. My vehicle would consistently flash warning signals on my dash and my screen went completely black. Most recently, while driving at approximately 35 mph, the Pre Sense system activated without warning or cause. The impact was so violent I believed I had been rear-ended. No vehicle was behind me. I’m convinced this vehicle will cause a catastrophic accident. Having done research there are multiple consumers posting their Audi coming to a complete stop on the highway while driving at high speeds. Audi had a class action suit for this very reason and I was never notified. I requested a buyback through Audi Corporate. Unfortunately, I received a denial letter. I dropped my vehicle off to my local Audi dealer on several occasions and was told that unless the problem duplicates itself they cannot repair the issue.

NHTSA ID
11683313
Incident
May 8, 2025
Filed Jan 14, 2024

There is a pulsating/fluttering noise coming from the rear passenger side near side of the vehicle. Got the vehicle in July of 2023 and reported the issue in August. Dealership confirmed and performed TSB 2067759/2 (Installed 10 rubber insulator sleeves). This did not fix the problem. I noticed it is loudest when the fuel tank is low. It can be heard at idle but tends to get louder while moving slow at slow speeds (forward or reverse). The tank was full when I brought it in for the August service. Went back in October when I realized it is significantly louder when the fuel is low. Dealership replaced the activated charcoal filter pipe and the fuel tank. This did not eliminate the problem.

NHTSA ID
11565426
Incident
Jul 14, 2023
Brakes
Filed Aug 16, 2023

This is a loaner Audi Q8 from Molly Audi of Kansas City. My 2023 Audi Q7 is in the shop for this exact same issue. The brake pedal randomly does not respond. This prevents the vehicle from being able to start, shift out of gear when parked, and the rear brake lights do not respond. My main concern is the brake lights not responding. I do not want to be injured in a collision when slowing down on the road. There were no warning lamps or massages from the vehicle. The dash just kept telling me to "Please press the brake pedal to start the vehicle". (my foot was on the brake) I have a video of this occurrence if needed.

NHTSA ID
11538953
Incident
Aug 16, 2023

Manufacturer communications

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

TSB_2082846_1

This bulletin provides a statement regarding the bottleneck of supply for VW approved oil types VW 504.00 and VW 507.00.

TSB_2071697_3

STRUCTURE:BODY

This bulletin provides information when there is an insufficient gap width between the tank flap and the side panel.

TSB_2081573_4

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This bulletin provides information when DTC B105A1A, B103E25 is stored in 0017; fuel tank level implausible.

TSB_2078648_2

STRUCTURE:BODY

This service information TSB provides warranty coverage information for vehicles with a broken sunroof panel.

TSB_2073282_1

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.

TSB_2073747_4

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.

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—
2024213059.0
2023Viewing720—
2022230—
2021297051.1
2020263056.4
20191075050.5

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.