The most-documented Audi Q8 problems are fuel pump recall 22V516 on 2019–2021 models, transmission oil pipe recall 20V272 on 2020 models, rear-axle lock nut recall 21V295, cylinder-bore crack recall 21V339 on some 2021 SQ8 and RS Q8, and Audi bulletins for V6 TFSI coolant pump leaks, cylinder-head oil leaks and thermostat faults.
CarWhere lists 10 documented Q8 issues, including 7 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, powertrains, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source.
4M Q8 problems (2019–present)
Steering shaft bolt may loosen (recall 20V149) (2019)
Safety recall- Generation:
- 4M (2019–present)
- Years:
- 2019
- Powertrain:
- All
The bolt joining the steering shaft to the steering gear on some 2019 Q8s (and 2017–2019 Q7s) may loosen, possibly causing a loss of steering control. Dealers inspect and replace the bolt.
Symptoms
- Clunk or play in the steering
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
NHTSA recall: 20V149 (2020-03) · 229 vehicles
Sources: [1]
Fuel pump component can break and stall the engine (recall 22V516) (2019–2021)
Safety recall- Generation:
- 4M (2019–present)
- Years:
- 2019–2021
- Powertrain:
- Gasoline engines
A component inside the fuel pump of 2019–2021 Q8s (and 2020–2021 Q7s) may break and cause the pump to fail, stalling the engine. Dealers replace the fuel pump.
Symptoms
- Hard starting
- Engine stall
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
NHTSA recall: 22V516 (2022-07) · 49,443 vehicles
Sources: [1]
Transmission oil pipe weld can leak fluid (recall 20V272) (2020)
Safety recall- Generation:
- 4M (2019–present)
- Years:
- 2020
- Powertrain:
- All
An insufficient weld on a transmission oil pipe of some 2020 Q8s can leak automatic transmission fluid, which can make the road slippery. Dealers inspect and replace the pipe if needed.
Symptoms
- ATF drips under the car
- Transmission warning
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
NHTSA recall: 20V272 (2020-05) · 531 vehicles
Sources: [2]
Rear trailing-arm lock nut can break (recalls 21V295 / 22V034) (2021)
Safety recall- Generation:
- 4M (2019–present)
- Years:
- 2021
- Powertrain:
- All
The rear-axle trailing-arm lock nut on 2021 Q8, SQ8 and RS Q8 can break from stress corrosion and misalign the rear axle. 21V295 replaced the nuts; 22V034 checks alignment and tire wear on cars repaired without an alignment check.
Symptoms
- Car pulls or tracks oddly
- Uneven rear tire wear
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
- Confirm both 21V295 and 22V034 are closed
NHTSA recall: 21V295 (2021-04) · 40,993 vehicles
Sources: [3]
Cylinder bore cracks on some SQ8 and RS Q8 (recall 21V339) (2021)
Safety recall- Generation:
- 4M (2019–present)
- Years:
- 2021
Audi recalled a small number of 2021 SQ8 and RS Q8 (with SQ7, RS 6 Avant and RS 7) because cracks may form on the cylinder bore surface, which can cause engine damage, a stall or an oil leak. Dealers replace the engine.
Symptoms
- Oil consumption or leaks
- Misfire or engine warning
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
NHTSA recall: 21V339 (2021-05) · 15 vehicles
Sources: [4]
Driver seat side airbag may be mounted incorrectly (recall 23V868) (2023–2024)
Safety recall- Generation:
- 4M (2019–present)
- Years:
- 2023–2024
- Powertrain:
- All
The driver’s seat side airbag on some 2023–2024 Q8, SQ8 and RS Q8 (and Q7/SQ7) may have been mounted improperly to the seatback frame, failing side-impact standard FMVSS 214. Dealers inspect and reinstall it.
Symptoms
- No symptoms before a crash
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
NHTSA recall: 23V868 (2023-12) · 1,001 vehicles
Sources: [5]
Rear camera image may not display (recall 25V900) (2019–2026)
Safety recall- Generation:
- 4M (2019–present)
- Years:
- 2019–2026
- Powertrain:
- All
A software error in many 2019–2026 Audis, including the Q8, may stop the rearview camera image from displaying, failing FMVSS 111. Dealers update the software; owner letters were mailed January 14, 2026.
Symptoms
- Blank rearview camera when reversing
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
- Select reverse on the test drive and confirm the camera image appears
NHTSA recall: 25V900 (2025-12) · 356,894 vehicles
Sources: [1]
Coolant leak from the coolant pump (V6 TFSI bulletin) (2019–2024)
Moderate- Generation:
- 4M (2019–present)
- Years:
- 2019–2024
Audi bulletin TSB 2070349 covers coolant loss traced to the coolant pump on V6 TFSI engines, listing 2019–2024 Q8. The revision notes that in some cases a P0299 underboost code is logged because coolant from the leaking pump contaminates a switch valve. Outside warranty the bulletin is informational only.
Symptoms
- Coolant warning lamp
- Coolant level dropping with no obvious puddle
- Check-engine light, sometimes with an underboost code
Check before buying
- Check the coolant reservoir level cold
- Ask for records of any coolant-pump replacement
- Have a pre-purchase inspection pressure-test the cooling system
Sources: [6]
Oil leak from the cylinder head (2.9/3.0 TFSI bulletin) (2019–2021)
Moderate- Generation:
- 4M (2019–present)
- Years:
- 2019–2021
Audi bulletin TSB 2053278 covers oil leaking around the cylinder head cover, injectors and valvelift actuator on 2.9 and 3.0 TFSI engines, listing 2019–2020 Q8, 2020 SQ8 and early-2021 cars by VIN. Audi attributes it to metal shavings left in the sealing groove during manufacture and says production processes were improved.
Symptoms
- Oil loss or low-oil warning
- Burning-oil smell from the engine bay
- Oil residue around the valve cover or underbody
Check before buying
- Look for wet oil around the top of the engine and under the car
- Ask whether the cylinder head cover was resealed under TSB 2053278
Sources: [7]
Cooling-system fault codes / thermostat (3.0 TFSI bulletin) (2019–2021)
Minor- Generation:
- 4M (2019–present)
- Years:
- 2019–2021
Audi bulletin TSB 2058767 covers a check-engine light with cooling-system codes (P218100, P017B00, P308100, P01E400) and a radiator fan that may run continuously on 3.0 TFSI engines, listing 2019–2020 Q8 and early-2021 cars by VIN. Audi introduced an improved thermostat in production.
Symptoms
- Check-engine light
- Radiator fan running constantly
- Engine slow to reach temperature
Check before buying
- Scan for P218100, P017B00, P308100 or P01E400
- Ask whether the thermostat was replaced under TSB 2058767
Sources: [8]
Q8 NHTSA complaints by model year
Owners filed 208 complaints about the Audi Q8 with NHTSA for the model years below, the most for the 2019 model year (110). The components cited most often are electrical system, engine and power train. Counts are raw filings, not rates: newer and higher-volume years naturally collect more, and a complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect.
NHTSA owner complaints for the Audi Q8 by model year (all US body styles and S/RS variants, de-duplicated by NHTSA complaint number), as of November 2026| Model year | Complaints | Crash or fire reported | Injury reported | Safety-critical component |
|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
|---|
| 2024 | 26 | 2 | 1 | 13 |
|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| 2021 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 19 |
|---|
| 2020 | 29 | 2 | 0 | 17 |
|---|
| 2019 | 110 | 1 | 2 | 77 |
|---|
Most-cited components across these years: Electrical system (83) · Engine (52) · Power train (52) · Unknown or other (20) · Steering (18) · Fuel/propulsion system (15). A complaint can name more than one component.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints database, queried by CarWhere for every NHTSA model name filed for this nameplate (AUDI Q8, Q8, RS Q8, SQ8). “Safety-critical component” counts complaints that report a crash, fire, injury or death, or name the engine, power train, steering, service brakes or fuel system.