Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the engine, electrical, and fuel system. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2020Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2020 Audi Q8: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
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.
These years share the 2020's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2020 checks
Worth adding to your 2020 checks
Worth adding to your 2020 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2020 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 | 18 mpg |
NHTSA complaints for the 2020 Audi Q8, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Water pump failure is the most common engine report. Coolant leaks onto nearby lines, gaskets and seals, and some drivers notice a coolant smell in the cabin. One case came before 55k miles, and repair bills of $5k to $7500 are reported. Other reports describe catastrophic failure of the 3.0L turbo engine, including piston failure, scored cylinder walls, very high oil consumption and an engine that can lock up while driving. One of these failures came at 78,990 miles. In another case, the car stalled on a highway.
The main failure is a sudden loss of electrical power. Warnings such as "Electrical system malfunction" and "vehicle starting system malfunction" appear, and in some cases the car loses all power while driving. When that happens mid-turn, the steering and transmission lock up. Dealers reportedly call the problem known and tell owners to have the car towed rather than drive it. Several reports come from recently purchased cars. In other reports, the turn assist feature brakes on its own during left turns and tightens the seat belts, and a dealer said a software update was needed.
No actual fuel system failures appear in these filings. All three are about a recall repair that could not be done because the part was unavailable. Owners say the wait went well past a reasonable time, and one was offered an appointment months away. The complaints describe a parts shortage and dealer delay, not a breakdown on the road.
At low speed, the steering wheel turns or pulls hard to the right without warning. Both reports describe the car hitting a curb and being badly damaged. Before each crash, a tire pressure warning for the right front or passenger side came on repeatedly even though no flat tire was found. One crash happened at 2,500 miles. No cause was determined, and both vehicles needed towing afterward.
The most serious report is a sudden shutdown while driving. A complete electrical failure, blamed on the alternator, cut braking power and made it impossible to shift into neutral or control speed. A second pattern is hesitation when pulling away after slowing or coasting at low speed. It is most noticeable when turning left across traffic, and the owner links it to the start-stop system or transmission. Both problems raise crash risk in traffic.
The driver-assistance system brakes hard for no reason when a car ahead changes lanes, which creates a risk of being rear-ended. In one case it accelerated as a slower car moved into the lane. Towing a trailer causes a separate fault. A pre-sense limited warning appears after about 45 minutes, and adaptive cruise and distance warnings stop working, even after the trailer is removed. Dealer radar recalibration fixes it only until the next tow.
Excerpts from complaints Q8 owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
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 car crash when engine locks up
Filed with NHTSA, September 2025
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
Filed with NHTSA, October 2025
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 given time even while driving. I had the vehicle towed to the Audi dealership.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2023
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 customers. Quite dangerous
Filed with NHTSA, December 2023
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2020 ranks third for owner complaints among 7 Q8 years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2020 is the second model year of the Q8's first generation (2019–2023).
Audi updated the Q8 for 2024, so a 2020 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2024 (not on a 2020)
Recall repairs are free at any Audi dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
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.
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.
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.
Cars shoppers compare with the Audi Q8, with their own 2020 checklists.
2020 owner complaints, side by side
