2019 Audi Q8: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 103 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the transmission, electrical, and steering. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2019- Owner complaints
- 103
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes reported
- 1
- 2 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2019 Audi Q8: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/4
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/3
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/1
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Q8 is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2019 Audi Q8. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | AWD | 19 mpg |
- On the hybrid, watch for the car moving off on electric power at low speed and for any hybrid system warning on the dash.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Q8 that averages well under the EPA 19 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Stalling while driving
35,000–36,700 miles
Starter generator failure
39,000–55,910 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2019 Audi Q8, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Transmission38No crashes
Acceleration lags from a rolling stop or at low speed, often for 2 to 5 seconds, then the SUV lurches forward. Many reports tie the delay to the auto start/stop system and say it goes away when that feature is off. A dealer software update fixed it for some owners but not for others. Sudden shutdown while driving is the second pattern. Electrical warnings appear, the transmission drops into neutral, and power cuts out, often from a failed starter generator with back-ordered parts. A rear axle leak that ruined a differential also appears at 65k miles.
Electrical29No crashes
The starter generator in the 48-volt mild hybrid system fails, and the SUV shuts down while moving, sometimes on the highway. An "electrical system malfunction" warning usually comes first. Start/stop faults, a battery light, and a string of system warnings follow, often within a mile or a few minutes. Locks, hazard lights, and air conditioning can stop working, and some occupants could not open the doors. One complaint reports an injury. Repairs often drag on for weeks or months because the part is back ordered. Separate reports describe central locking faults that keep the rear doors shut.
Steering11No crashes
Heavy or unresponsive steering follows an electrical failure that shuts the engine down. Drivers end up fighting to reach the shoulder or stuck in traffic. Most complaints here describe the same 48-volt generator failure. A malfunction warning appears first, then power steering, transmission, and brake warnings, and then the car goes dead, sometimes with the doors locked. Dealers report long waitlists for the part. Smaller patterns include a wheel that feels loose, creaking over bumps and in turns, and lane centering that misses lane markings or steers off the road.
Engine9No crashes
Piston slap makes the engine noisy, and dealer inspections find scratched cylinder walls. Owners say Audi extended engine coverage from 50k to 80k miles for this defect, but cars just past that limit are turned down. Other reports describe misfires followed by knocking and early engine failure, and engine mounts wearing out after 50k miles. In one case a water pump failure let coolant into the engine and the engine had to be replaced. Several complaints repeat the generator failure that shuts the car down in traffic.
Seat belts21 crash
In one report, the seat belt hardware and the seat itself came loose during a rear-end crash, and one person was injured. The other complaint describes the driver's belt twisting and pulling the twisted section up into the B-pillar. That owner reports 3 dealer repairs, with a fourth failure within weeks of the last one, and cites a service bulletin on the problem. Two filings are too few to show a broad pattern. In both cases, though, the driver's restraint did not work as designed.
Fuel system2No crashes
Stalling at a traffic light, with the failure coming back after several restarts, appears in one report at about 36,700 miles. Mostly, though, these complaints are about a repair delay, not a breakdown. Owners say they were notified of a fuel system repair campaign, but dealers had no parts to do the work, and they consider the wait unreasonable. One of the two owners had not had any failure. Shoppers should confirm the repair status of a specific car with a dealer.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Q8 owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Driving vehicle at a low/medium rate of speed, and car completely shut off without warning. Check engine light appeared after restarting the vehicle. This is the second time this has happened to me since November 2022. I filed a report then as well. This car should not be allowed on the road and Audi should be forced to buy it back. The vehicle has less than 35,000 miles. Dealer has not confirmed what the issue is this time.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2023
Electrical malfunction warning light. Vehicle stop and was steering wheel locked and then unlocked. Then stated ok to steer but steering was very hard. No power. Multiple systems fail warnings lights. Alternator is what they have stated. No part available. They currently (from what the service dealer states they have approximately 15 cars waiting). One dealer The issue is the in-operability of the car. Just stops which is highly worrisome.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2023
An "Electrical System Malfunction" warning, check engine light and the battery light came on. Was informed to notify service. Few hours later multiple system failure started to appear. Dashboard went dark and I was unable to tell the speed of the vehicle. The window rolled down on it is own. After coming to a stop the vehicle was unable to start again. Dealer informed me the "affected parts" are being ordered. No further updates were available.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2022
Electrical system malfunction caused the car to come to a stop in the middle of a busy highway. The vehicle needed to be pushed off to the side of the road by other parties as steering became increasingly difficult to navigate to the side of the road. The vehicle was stuck in neutral and could not start the engine to drive again. The vehicle needed to be towed to the closest dealership for further investigation.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2023
While driving warning light came on electrical malfunction on highway cat lost all power following a series of light’s indicting multiple malfunction then transmission disengaged I was able to coast to a stop , was unable to get out of vehicle due to car not unlocking
Filed with NHTSA, November 2023
The alternator failed causing the vehicle to shutdown in the middle of traffic. I was on a surface road not the highway so I was able to get local police to assist. When it failed there was no car electrical system function, so I could not even turn on my emergency blinkers. This is apparently very common on Audis, as the same part was used to replace the alternator…. It took a month for the dealership to get the part in stock.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2024
How the 2019 compares with other Q8 years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2019 has the most owner complaints of the 7 Q8 years we cover, about 8.0 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Transmission381
- Electrical294
- Steering111
- Engine91
- Seat belts20
- Fuel system21
Where the 2019 fits in the Q8's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2019 is the first model year of the Q8's first generation (2019–2023). First years of a redesign often carry teething problems that Audi fixes in later years, so the checks above matter more than usual.
Audi updated the Q8 for 2024, so a 2019 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2024 (not on a 2019)
- Larger air inlets in the front bumper
- New exhaust setup
- Revamped Singleframe grille
- New headlamp design with laser lights
- OLED technology in tail lamps
- New metallic paint options and wheel designs
Should you avoid the first year of a redesign? See the 45-car study.
Recalls to confirm (5)
Recall repairs are free at any Audi dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
26V125000Lane keepingMar 2026
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019 Audi Q8, Audi A7, and Audi A6 vehicles previously repaired under recall number 25V900. Due to a software error, the lane departure warning system may be deactivated.
Risk: The driver may be unaware that the lane departure warning system is deactivated and rely on a system that is not functional, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 1, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TW. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 6, 2026.
25V900000Backup cameraDec 2025
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.
22V516000Fuel systemJul 2022
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.
20V149000SteeringMar 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.
19V114000SuspensionFeb 2019
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019 Q7, Q8, S5 Cabriolet, and S5 Sportback vehicles. The front shock absorber forks may develop cracks allowing the shock absorbers to loosen.
Risk: Loose shock absorbers may impair vehicle steering, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the shock absorber forks, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 40O4.
Also looking at these instead of a Q8?
Cars shoppers compare with the Audi Q8, with their own 2019 checklists.
2019 owner complaints, side by side
- Lexus GX8
- Mercedes-Benz GLE22
- Porsche Cayenne58
- Land Rover Range Rover Sport90
- 2019 Audi Q8103
- BMW X5157
