2020 Audi Q8

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Audi Q8 has 37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (22% of all complaints), specifically: 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 he.

3 crash reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

8 complaints

22%

• 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 HE
• 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 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 vehi

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

“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 HE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

7 complaints

19%

• EVERY TIM TOWING A TRAILER AND HITCH WEIGHT IS OVER 300 LBS ( SPECIFICATION SHOWS 770 LBS MAX, ORIGINAL AUDI HITCH INSTALLED CAME WITH THE CAR ) THE AUDI LIMITED PRE-SENSE WARNING GOES ON AFTER ~45 MIN DRIVE WITH TRAILER. AFTER THAT NO DISTANCE WARNING OR CRUSE CONTROL (ADAPTIVE) POSSIBLE. AFTER RE
• On several occasions, the supposed "driver's assistance" almost made me crash. In two or three cases, the assistance slammed on my breaks unnecessarily when a vehicle in front of me changed lanes, which almost caused me to be rear ended. In another, even more concerning case, the assistance accelera
• Many times my 2020 SQ8 instrument pannel lights up , even just pulling out of my garage , and indicates that my RIGHT Front Tire is low/ or flat ( low tire warning ) and to check Right passenger side for damage .??? . ( each time (10-20 times ) this has happened and i discover NO Flat tire or Dama

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“EVERY TIM TOWING A TRAILER AND HITCH WEIGHT IS OVER 300 LBS ( SPECIFICATION SHOWS 770 LBS MAX, ORIGINAL AUDI HITCH INSTALLED CAME WITH THE CAR ) THE AUDI LIMITED PRE-SENSE WARNING GOES ON AFTER ~45 MIN DRIVE WITH TRAILER. AFTER THAT NO DISTANCE WARNING OR CRUSE CONTROL (ADAPTIVE) POSSIBLE. AFTER RE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

6 complaints

16%

• 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 HE
• The contact owns a 2020 Audi Q8. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V516000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The
• The contact owns a 2020 Audi Q8. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V516000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manuf

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

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

5 complaints

14%

• I purchased the vehicle as a CPO, two days (1/28/23)and 200 miles later I got a warning”Electrical system malfunction”. I turned the vehicle off/on and the message reappeared every time. I spoke to the dealership they advised that the issue is know to abruptly shut down power to the vehicle at any
• On or about September 19, 2023, I was driving to work when all of a sudden, while I was driving, I received 2 error codes: 1) electrical system maintenance malfunction; and 2) vehicle starting system malfunction. I proceeded driving to work, and when I got there, no problems arose. I contacted Audi
• Basically, when driving, the complete cars looses power and looses all electrical power. When I was making a turn, the car lost power, transmission and steering wheel locked up. Audi power system needs to be reviewed and seemed like the Audi dealership was aware of this incident happening to other

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

“I purchased the vehicle as a CPO, two days (1/28/23)and 200 miles later I got a warning”Electrical system malfunction”. I turned the vehicle off/on and the message reappeared every time. I spoke to the dealership they advised that the issue is know to abruptly shut down power to the vehicle at any ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

3 complaints

• Rear back up camera and 360 cameras do not work consistently and result in difficulty in backing up the car without complete visibility. This issue is subject to recall on 2021 and 2022 models but not on 2020. I wonder why this isn’t being addressed properly by Audi and NHTSA
• The door locking on the Audi Q8 is consistently malfunctioning, indicating either open doors or locked doors that can still be opened. This poses an urgent safety risk as it increases the potential for theft and unauthorized access to the vehicle, jeopardizing the safety of occupants and their belon
• 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.

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

“Rear back up camera and 360 cameras do not work consistently and result in difficulty in backing up the car without complete visibility. This issue is subject to recall on 2021 and 2022 models but not on 2020. I wonder why this isn’t being addressed properly by Audi and NHTSA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 37 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: 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 HE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: EVERY TIM TOWING A TRAILER AND HITCH WEIGHT IS OVER 300 LBS ( SPECIFICATION SHOWS 770 LBS MAX, ORIGINAL AUDI HITCH INSTALLED CAME WITH THE CAR ) THE AUDI LIMITED PRE-SENSE WARNING GOES ON AFTER ~45 MIN DRIVE WITH TRAILER. AFTER THAT NO DISTANCE WARNING OR CRUSE CONTROL (ADAPTIVE) POSSIBLE. AFTER RE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: 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 HE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: I purchased the vehicle as a CPO, two days (1/28/23)and 200 miles later I got a warning”Electrical system malfunction”. I turned the vehicle off/on and the message reappeared every time. I spoke to the dealership they advised that the issue is know to abruptly shut down power to the vehicle at any
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)