Is the 2019 Audi Q8 reliable?

The 2019 Audi Q8 has 174 complaints filed with NHTSA (4.7x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2019 Audi Q8?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (43 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (43 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (31 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2019 Audi Q8?

Yes, there are 5 recall(s): STEERING, SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA, LANE DEPARTURE:SOFTWARE. Contact any Audi dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2019 Audi Q8?

The 2019 Audi Q8 gets 19 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2526. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2019 Audi Q8?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2019 Audi Q8 is approximately $2,124/year (suv-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2019 Audi Q8

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2019 Audi Q8 has 174 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 4.7x the segment average of 37. The most common issue is transmission problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: the auto stop/start system on the audi q8 presents a dangerous situation when a driver attempts to accelerate from a complete stop. frequently, when i do this (with the auto stop/start engaged - it's default setting) the car will not move for approximately 2-4 seconds. when it does engage, it fina. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year.

2 crash reports 3 injuries

174

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

4.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

43 complaints

25%

• THE AUTO STOP/START SYSTEM ON THE AUDI Q8 PRESENTS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN A DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP. FREQUENTLY, WHEN I DO THIS (WITH THE AUTO STOP/START ENGAGED - IT'S DEFAULT SETTING) THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE FOR APPROXIMATELY 2-4 SECONDS. WHEN IT DOES ENGAGE, IT FINA
• EXCESSIVE AND DANGEROUS DELAY IN THROTTLE RESPONSE DUE TO AUTO START/STOP SYSTEM CAUSING VEHICLE TO COAST WHEN SLOWING DOWN AT A YIELD SIGN OR INTERSECTION ETC BEFORE TRANSMISSION RE-ENGAGES. THE VEHICLE IS POWERLESS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS DESPITE APPLICATION OF GAS PEDAL, CAUSING ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO P
• MY GORGEOUS NEW AUDI Q8 HAS A DANGEROUS HESITATION ISSUE WHEN ACCELERATION FROM A FULL START WITH AUTO START/STOP ENABLED. THE ISSUE IS DESCRIBED THOROUGHLY IN THE ARTICLE @ HTTPS://TECHCRUNCH.COM/2019/06/10/REVIEW-THE-STUNNING-2019-AUDI-Q8-HAS-A-DEAL-BREAKING-FLAW/. ACCELERATOR RESPONSE IS VERY

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THE AUTO STOP/START SYSTEM ON THE AUDI Q8 PRESENTS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN A DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP. FREQUENTLY, WHEN I DO THIS (WITH THE AUTO STOP/START ENGAGED - IT'S DEFAULT SETTING) THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE FOR APPROXIMATELY 2-4 SECONDS. WHEN IT DOES ENGAGE, IT FINA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2019 Audi Q8

Based on 47 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 4K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 3K mi · 26 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 4K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (5)

STEERING16/03/2020

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Audi Q8 and 2017-2019 Audi Q7 vehicles. The bolt connecting the steering shaft to the steering gear may loosen, possibly resulting in a loss of steering control.

Risk: A sudden loss of loss of steering control may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and Audi dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering shaft bolt, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 36A1.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2019 Audi Q8

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,527

Per month

$211

Per mile

21.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,824/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2019 Audi Q8

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,124

Full coverage / month

$177

Liability only / year

$688

vs US avg

+27%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-luxury)1.35x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$2124

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Audi Q8 Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

40K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

40K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

40K mi

Long-interval service (LongLife) uses fully-synthetic oil. Some engines have timing belts (check owner's manual).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Audi New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

12 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

Corrosion coverage is unlimited miles for 12 years

These are the terms for a new Audi. If you're buying a used 2019 Q8, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Audi dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 174 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: THE AUTO STOP/START SYSTEM ON THE AUDI Q8 PRESENTS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN A DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP. FREQUENTLY, WHEN I DO THIS (WITH THE AUTO STOP/START ENGAGED - IT'S DEFAULT SETTING) THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE FOR APPROXIMATELY 2-4 SECONDS. WHEN IT DOES ENGAGE, IT FINA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: AFTER MOST RECENT SOFTWARE UPDATE, THE BACKUP CAMERA DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGE OR DISPLAYS A BLACK SCREEN. THE BACKUP CAMERA PREVIOUSLY WORKED FINE. OTHER TIMES, IT WILL DISPLAY THE FRONT FACING CAMERA INSTEAD OF THE REAR CAMERA DESPITE BEING IN REVERSE.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: EXCESSIVE AND DANGEROUS DELAY IN THROTTLE RESPONSE DUE TO AUTO START/STOP SYSTEM CAUSING VEHICLE TO COAST WHEN SLOWING DOWN AT A YIELD SIGN OR INTERSECTION ETC BEFORE TRANSMISSION RE-ENGAGES. THE VEHICLE IS POWERLESS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS DESPITE APPLICATION OF GAS PEDAL, CAUSING ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO P
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: I'M VERY UPSET WITH NHTSA AND AUDI. I SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA ON 10/22/20 AND THE COMPLAINT NUMBER IS 11365744. AGAIN AS STATED IN MY COMPLAINT THIS IS AN ACTUAL SAFETY ISSUE. I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. WELL IT TURNS OUT THAT THE DEALERSHIP'
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Audi dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)