Used Car Checklists

2022 Audi Q8: What to check before buying

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical. The 6 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.

Audi Q82022
Owner complaints
5
Recalls
4
Crashes reported
0
Reliability
Good
65/100 on Auto Reliability Index

Run the VIN before you go

A history report shows accidents, title brands, odometer readings, and open recalls for this 2022 Audi Q8. Ask the seller for the VIN; it is also on the dash at the base of the windshield.

Your inspection sheet

Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.

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.

Reported on other Q8 years with the same design

These years share the 2022's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.

2021 Q8

28 owner complaints
  • Electrical 12
  • Fuel system 4
  • Transmission 3

Worth adding to your 2022 checks

  • Have an Audi dealer run the VIN for open recalls and confirm the needed parts are actually available.
  • Ask for service records showing whether the alternator and the 12-volt or 48-volt battery have been replaced.
  • Scan for stored electrical system and starting system fault codes before you buy.
Open the 2021 checklist

2020 Q8

25 owner complaints
  • Engine 6
  • Electrical 4
  • Fuel system 3

Worth adding to your 2022 checks

  • Ask for records of any water pump replacement, look for coolant residue under the hood, and check the cabin for a coolant smell.
  • Check the oil level, ask about oil consumption, and watch the exhaust for smoke after a cold start.
  • On a long test drive, watch the dash for electrical system or starting system malfunction warnings.
Open the 2020 checklist

2019 Q8

103 owner complaints
  • Transmission 38
  • Electrical 29
  • Steering 11

Worth adding to your 2022 checks

  • Ask an Audi dealer to check the VIN for starter generator replacement and past electrical system malfunction repairs.
  • Roll toward a stop below 10 mph with start/stop on, then accelerate and note any multi-second delay.
  • Ask an Audi dealer whether software update 37M6 has been applied to this car.
Open the 2019 checklist

Which Q8 is it?

EPA figures for each version of the 2022 Audi Q8. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.

VersionDriveEPA rating
3.0L 6-cylAWD20 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 20 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.

Why these checks: what owners reported

NHTSA complaints for the 2022 Audi Q8, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.

  • Electrical3No crashes

    The car shuts down suddenly while driving. An electrical malfunction warning appears and every warning light comes on. Then the car either tells the driver to pull over immediately or limits the engine to under 2k rpm, so the driver can only coast. Reports blame the alternator or starter-alternator, and one dealer pointed to the 48V hybrid system. Failures happen at highway speed, including while merging, which creates a real risk of a crash. The car may need a tow, and repairs can take several weeks. The reports show no clear mileage pattern.

How the 2022 compares with other Q8 years

Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.

The 2022 ranks fifth for owner complaints among 7 Q8 years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.

2022 Average of other years
  • Electrical39

Where the 2022 fits in the Q8's history

Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.

The 2022 is the fourth model year of the Q8's first generation (2019–2023).

Audi updated the Q8 for 2024, so a 2022 does not have those changes.

What changed for 2024 (not on a 2022)

  • 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

Recalls to confirm (4)

Recall repairs are free at any Audi dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.

  1. 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.

  2. 22V806000EquipmentOct 2022

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 AUDI A8, A6 Allroad, E-TRON Quattro, 2022 S3, RSQ8, RS7, RS6 Avant, Q8, Q7, Q3, E-TRON Sportback Quattro, S5 Cabriolet, E-TRON GT, S5 Sportback, A7, A6, A5 Sportback, A5 Cabriolet, A4, A4 Allroad, A3, S8, SQ7, SQ8, S6, and S4 vehicles. The infotainment main unit may become damaged internally when the vehicle is shut off, resulting in an inoperative rearview camera display the next time the vehicle is started. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.".

    Risk: An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the infotainment main unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91Ei.

  3. 22V742000Backup cameraOct 2022

    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 rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.".

    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.

  4. 21V825000Backup cameraOct 2021

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8 and S8, 2022 Audi A5 Sportback, A4 Sedan, E-Tron GT, Q3, Q5, RS6 Avant, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RSQ8, SQ7, SQ8, and S3 Sedan vehicles. A software error may prevent the rear-view image from initially displaying when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.".

    Risk: A rear-view camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will update the infotainment unit parameters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 9, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91CR.

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