Reliable Auto DB

2020 Audi Q8 reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2020 Audi Q8 has 28 complaints with NHTSA after 7 years, or 3 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Q8 years here — under the median of the other years, which is 4. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Camera, Fuel pump, and Cooling unit and lines.

2019 Audi Q8
Photo by Vauxford, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

28

Per year

3

Recalls

3

Years on the road

7

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (8 of 28), then Electrical system (6) and Forward collision avoidance (5). Those filings include 2 that report a crash.

Next to 2019 and 2021

The 2019 Q8 has 109 complaints, 13 per year, and the 2021 has 30 complaints, 4 per year. The 2020 has fewer complaints per year than the 2019. The 2020 has fewer complaints per year than the 2021.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2020 Audi Q8. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (3)

Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2025-12-19 · NHTSA campaign 25V900000
Summary 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."
Remedy 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.
Recall Fuel pump 2022-07-20 · NHTSA campaign 22V516000
Summary 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.
Remedy 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.
Recall powertrain, automatic transmission, cooling unit and lines 2020-05-13 · NHTSA campaign 20V272000
Summary 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).
Remedy 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.

Complaints by component (28 total)

Engine
8
Electrical system
6
Forward collision avoidance
5
Fuel and propulsion system
3
Fuel system, gasoline
3
Back-over prevention
2
Powertrain
2
Steering
2
Engine and engine cooling
1
Lane departure
1
Service brakes
1
Structure
1
Visibility and wipers
1
Show 5 more Show less
Crash-flagged

2

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

0

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

12020320215202252023320246202552026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "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…"
    Electrical system, Visibility and wipers · filed 2026-09-07
  • "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…"
    Engine · filed 2026-08-22
  • "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…"
    Forward collision avoidance, Lane departure, Back-over prevention · filed 2026-06-10
  • "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…"
    Engine · filed 2026-01-23
  • "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…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-01-14

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2020 Audi Q8 SUV AWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Q8 3L, 6-cyl Automatic (8-speed) All-wheel drive 17 21 18 MPG $4450

Specs and fitment

First generation, 2019–present
Body styles SUV
Oil 0W-20 , 8 qt capacity
Tire size 265/55R19 to 285/40R22 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 20V-149 covers 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 loss of steering control. The campaign lists 229 vehicles; dealers inspect and replace the bolt as needed. Recall 22V-516 covers certain 2019-2021 Audi Q8 and 2020-2021 Audi Q7 vehicles: a component inside the fuel pump may break and cause pump failure. That campaign lists 49,443 vehicles across those models; dealers replace the fuel pump. Recall 19V-114 covers certain 2019 Q8 (and Q7/S5) vehicles whose front shock-absorber forks may crack (34 vehicles).

Compare

Previous year 2019 Audi Q8 Next year 2021 Audi Q8 See every Audi Q8 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Audi Q8 reliable?

The 2020 Audi Q8 has 28 complaints with NHTSA after 7 years, or 3 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Q8 years here — under the median of the other years, which is 4. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Camera, Fuel pump, and Cooling unit and lines.

What are common problems with a 2020 Audi Q8?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (8 of 28), then Electrical system (6) and Forward collision avoidance (5). Those filings include 2 that report a crash.

Is the 2020 Audi Q8 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2019 Q8 has 109 complaints, 13 per year, and the 2021 has 30 complaints, 4 per year. The 2020 has fewer complaints per year than the 2019. The 2020 has fewer complaints per year than the 2021.

Has the 2020 Audi Q8 been recalled?

The 2020 Audi Q8 has 3 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Audi Q8?

Owners have filed 28 complaints about the 2020 Audi Q8 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2020 Audi Q8 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2020 Audi Q8 is 18 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does an Audi Q8 take?

0W-20; capacity is about 8 quarts with filter.

What does recall 20V-149 cover on the Q8?

Certain 2019 Q8 and 2017-2019 Q7 vehicles: the bolt connecting the steering shaft to the steering gear may not be properly tightened—see the NHTSA campaign for the remedy.

What tire sizes does the Q8 use?

About 265/55R19 to 285/40R22 depending on trim.