2020 Audi Q8 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (6) · Fuel System, Gasoline (3) · Electrical System (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Audi Q8 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (3)
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera 2025-12-19 · campaign 25V900000 · 356,894 vehicles
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."
Risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2022-07-20 · campaign 22V516000 · 49,443 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi Q8, and 2020-2021 Audi Q7 vehicles. A component inside the fuel pump may break, causing the fuel pump to fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 20DR.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines 2020-05-13 · campaign 20V272000 · 531 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Audi Q8 vehicles. An insufficient weld on a transmission oil pipe may cause the vehicle to leak automatic transmission fluid (ATF).
Risk: If transmission fluid leaks while driving, the road surface may become slippery, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission oil pipe and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 12, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 38C7.
Service bulletins (1,325)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2083409_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2052680_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
Electrical System 2026-09-23 · TSB_2063336_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when dtc c12bff0 is stored in the lane change modeul or the radar sensor; intersection assist/lane change assist are inoperable.
Steering 2026-09-22 · TSB_2074846_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
Visibility/Wiper 2026-09-22 · TSB_2020552_15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning.
Structure:body 2026-09-18 · TSB_2078648_4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information about billing for a broken sunroof glass panel.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,325 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-07 · Visibility/Wiper“i am reporting a recurring problem with the front passenger-side window on my 2020 audi q8. this issue began when the vehicle was approximately two years old and has continued intermittently. when attempting to close the front passenger window, the window will sometimes automatically reverse direction and go back down instead of closing. on septemb…”
2026-08-22 · Engine“i am reporting an ongoing cooling-system/water-pump issue with my 2020 audi q8, approximately 75,000 miles. the problem began when the vehicle repeatedly displayed a low-coolant warning. inspection confirmed the coolant level was very low and a significant problem involving the coolant pump/vacuum system was diagnosed. the water pump was subsequen…”
2026-06-10 · Lane Departure: Warning“i am reporting a severe safety hazard on my 2020 audi q8 directly caused by the software update for nhtsa recall 25v900 (audi 90tv). the recall shows as "completed" on my vin, but it left the vehicle with an active driver assistance defect that did not exist before. no accident has occurred, but there is a severe risk of a crash. following the rec…”
2026-01-23 · Engine“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. ple…”
2026-01-14 · Unknown Or Other“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. …”
2025-10-14 · Engine“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 …”
2025-09-24 · Engine“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 …”
2025-09-11 · Service Brakes“i am reporting a safety defect issue that i believe is an alternator recall waiting to happen. while driving with my children, my audi suffered a sudden, complete electrical failure caused by what i was later told is an alternator defect. the vehicle shut off without warning. at that moment, i lost braking power, the ability to shift into neutral, …”
2025-05-20 · Engine“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…”
2025-02-20 · Engine“- 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 p…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.