2021 Audi Q8 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (5) · Power Train (4) · Fuel System, Gasoline (4)
🧭 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 (7)
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.
Electrical System:software 2025-03-31 · campaign 25V201000 · 44,387 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 SQ8, A6 SEDAN, A7, A8, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S6 SEDAN, S7, S8, A6 Allroad, and SQ7 vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail.
Risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90VC.
Back Over Prevention:display Function 2022-10-05 · campaign 22V742000 · 170,296 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rear
Risk: A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.
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.
Tires 2022-01-26 · campaign 22V034000 · 31,058 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
Risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
Seat Belts:rear/Other:retractor 2021-08-05 · campaign 21V606000 · 45,496 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate ear
Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).
Suspension:rear:axle:non-Powered Axle Assembly 2021-04-26 · campaign 21V295000 · 40,993 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
Risk: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
Service bulletins (1,332)
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_2083385_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when there is a warning message in the instrument cluster about external sound.
Electrical System 2026-09-23 · TSB_2076396_3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information regarding driver assist systems; audi adaptive light, audi pre sense system fault, adaptive cruise assist inop (dtc c12d5fa).
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.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,332 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-18 · Power Train“at approximately 52,000 miles, on august 11,2026 (or earlier), my vehicle developed a coolant leak that was traced to a failed coolant shut off valve. the coolant shut-off valve failure allowed coolant to migrate into the vacuum harness, vacuum reservoir which contaminated the water pump. this resulted in the vacuum system becoming filled with cool…”
2026-08-09 · Steering“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…”
2026-06-01 · Power Train“i was driving my car would not accelerate on the highway and it almost caused me to get into an accident with my niece in the car. when i took the car to audi this is what i was told my the service adviser. “good afternoon. the technician has been looking into the vehicle and has found the cause of the issue. he has found the coolant water pump has…”
2026-03-30 · Unknown Or Other“belt starter generator failure rendered car undrivable -- power steering failed while in motion. issue is subject to class action settlement in usdistrict court, case # 3:23-cv-02291-rk-rls. but this should have been a recall because of danger of injury or death. a recall would provide notice that the notice of settlement failed to provide. …”
2026-01-30 · Power Train“audi q8 failed water pump leading to severe loss of power and a major safety issue. i was merging on a very busy highway when i had loss of power with my children in the vehicle. this was alarming as i was not able to accelerate as anticipated and had no warning/notice that this was going to occur, and others around me did not know what was going o…”
2026-01-19 · Engine“the engine (internal mechanical failure) malfunctioned. the vehicle developed a persistent ticking/knocking noise from the engine bay, and the authorized audi dealer diagnosed the issue as requiring a full engine replacement. the vehicle is currently available for inspection upon request. a catastrophic engine failure presents a risk of sudden los…”
2025-09-15 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 60,000 mi“the contact owns a 2021 audi q8. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the instrument panel failed to operate. the contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the failure recurred. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 25v201000 (electrical system), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the recall re…”
2025-08-05 · Unknown Or Other“subject: spontaneous sunroof shattering – 2021 audi q8 summary: on 8/5/2025, while driving my 2021 audi q8 under normal conditions, the sunroof suddenly shattered without warning. there was a loud popping sound, followed by glass breaking and falling onto the closed sunroof shade. there were no visible signs of impact from external objects, and w…”
2025-07-09 · Service Brakes“purchased my car used from volkswagen of west islip. after a few months i was doing regular maintenance when i noticed that the brake sensor was missing and the harness was tampered with. the brake wear sensor was removed from the front driver side and a small price of wire/ conductive material was inserted into the harness to trick the cars system…”
2025-04-22 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control“ 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 a…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.