Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Audi Q8, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine8
- Electrical system6
- Forward collision avoidance5
- Fuel system, gasoline3
- Fuel/propulsion system3
- Unknown or other3
- Steering2
- Power train2
- Back over prevention2
- Visibility/wiper1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2020 Audi Q8 failed the safety check 0.86% of the time — 27% less often than the average 2020 passenger car (1.18%). Median odometer at inspection: 31,974 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2020
6,529 new Audi Q8 cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2020; the largest markets were Germany (1,925), Italy (1,209), the United Kingdom (979).
- Average mass
- 2,231 kg
- Average CO₂
- 225 g/km (WLTP)
- Average power
- 211 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Diesel 86% · Petrol 11% · Petrol/electric 2.3%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Engines
The most common engines in 2020 Audi Q8 cars on Dutch roads are the 3.0 hybrid (250 kW, 335 hp) and 3.0 hybrid (210 kW, 282 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0 hybrid | 250 kW 335 hp | 118 |
| 3.0 hybrid | 210 kW 282 hp | 52 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
174 first registered in 2020 are on Dutch roads; 79% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €145,196.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde58
- Band onvoldoende profiel43
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm21
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld16
- Mechanische delen van het remsysteem vertonen slijtage13
- Band beschadigd7
- Draaipunt onafhankelijke wielophanging te veel speling4
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht4
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
838 cars built in 2020 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 29 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 897 of these cars first registered in 2020 took their annual MOT test. 91% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2020 the figure was 88%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 5.1% | 4.9% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.3% | 0.6% |
| Brakes | 1.2% | 1.8% |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.0% | 0.2% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 0.6% | 3.0% |
| Visibility | 0.4% | 2.8% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In New Zealand
133 2020 cars are on the New Zealand register; 6% arrived as used imports, 93% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 1 variant; 1 of 1 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Audi Q8 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 15.8 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Standard
- Lane departure warning
- No
- Best overall rating
- 5 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 12.7 L/100 km (about 19 mpg US), CO₂ 296 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q8 · Sport utility vehicle: Standard · Premium gasoline | 13.8 | 11.4 | 12.7 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 2020 Audi Q8.
| 2025713 19 Dec 2025 | Visual System Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the rearview camera image not to appear on the display. Canadian regulations require the rearview i… |
| 2022384 20 Jul 2022 | Fuel System Issue: On certain vehicles, the fuel delivery module inside the fuel tank could fail. If this happens, the engine may run rough or may not start. This could a… |
| 2020207 13 May 2020 | Powertrain Issue: On certain vehicles, a transmission fluid pipe was not properly welded. As a result, the pipe may leak transmission fluid. Safety Risk: A transmissio… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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."
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.
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).
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Audi told its dealers about the 2020 Audi Q8: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11011316 | Under this service action, Audi dealers will replace the starter-alternator in affected vehicles at no cost to owners. A defective starter-alternator may inhibit start/stop functionality which could increase CO2 and other emissions while the vehicle is stopped. Emissions still remain within certification standards. Updated affected vehicle chart & owner notification letters to reflect the addition of 2021 model year. Updated affected vehicle chart & owner notification letters to reflect the addition of the next wave of vehicles. |
| 11011314 | Under this service action, Audi dealers will replace the starter-alternator in affected vehicles at no cost to owners. A defective starter-alternator may inhibit start/stop functionality which could increase CO2 and other emissions while the vehicle is stopped. Emissions still remain within certification standards. Updated affected vehicle chart & owner notification letters to reflect the addition of 2021 model year. Updated affected vehicle chart & owner notification letters to reflect the addition of the next wave of vehicles. |
| 11011307 | This bulletin provides information when high beam assist, or traffic sign detection limited, DTC C12B3FD may be stored in the DAS control module. |
| 11011303 | This bulletin provides information when the anti-theft alarm activates for no reason, or when the anti-theft alarm does not activate. |
| 11011296 | This bulletin provides service-info relating to lithium-ion high-voltage batteries; determining energy content. |
| 11011285 | This TSB Provides information when parking assistance provides false warnings. |
| 11011282 | This bulletin provides information when speaker rattles, vibrations, or audio interference is noted. |
| 11011277 | This bulletin provides information when the parking brake does not work sporadically; DTC B107BF0 or B10FCF0 stored in the driver assist systems. |
| 11011274 | This bulletin provides information when the restricted function icon for Audi Pre sense is displayed after engine starts. |
| 11011272 | This bulletin provides information when the overhead view camera (TopView) calibration fails. |
| 11011271 | This bulletin provides general information and information when the laser scanner requires readjustment. |
| 11011268 | This bulletin pertains to complaints/general information regarding SOS Emergency Assist. |
| 11011263 | This bulletin provides information regarding cleaning exterior glass. |
| 11011256 | This bulletin provides information when the DTCs B200FF0 to B200FF5 are stored in the J775 suspension control unit. |
| 11011253 | This bulletin provides infomraion when there are rumbling/knocking noises from the front suspension. |
| 11011249 | This TSB provides info when there is a 48V vehicle electrical system warning, DTC U046900 stored in the ECM. |
| 11011240 | This bulletin provides information about professional noise analysis with the VAS 611 015 PICO-NVH tool |
| 11011239 | This bulletin advises that fuel additives are not permitted. |
| 11009990 | Under this service action, Audi dealers will replace the starter-alternator in affected vehicles at no cost to owners. A defective starter-alternator may inhibit start/stop functionality which could increase CO2 and other emissions while the vehicle is stopped. Emissions still remain within certification standards. Updated affected vehicle chart & owner notification letters to reflect the addition of 2021 model year. Updated parts table in parts section. |
| 11009989 | Under this service action, Audi dealers will replace the starter-alternator in affected vehicles at no cost to owners. A defective starter-alternator may inhibit start/stop functionality which could increase CO2 and other emissions while the vehicle is stopped. Emissions still remain within certification standards. Updated affected vehicle chart & owner notification letters to reflect the addition of 2021 model year.Updated affected vehicle chart & owner notification letters to reflect the addition of 2022 model year. |
| 11009985 | Under this service action, Audi dealers will replace the starter-alternator in affected vehicles at no cost to owners. A defective starter-alternator may inhibit start/stop functionality which could increase CO2 and other emissions while the vehicle is stopped. Emissions still remain within certification standards. Updated affected vehicle chart & owner notification letters to reflect the addition of 2021 model year. Updated parts table in parts section. |
| 11009984 | Under this service action, Audi dealers will replace the starter-alternator in affected vehicles at no cost to owners. A defective starter-alternator may inhibit start/stop functionality which could increase CO2 and other emissions while the vehicle is stopped. Emissions still remain within certification standards. Updated affected vehicle chart & owner notification letters to reflect the addition of 2021 model year.Updated affected vehicle chart & owner notification letters to reflect the addition of 2022 model year. |
| 11009983 | Vehicle Concerns Before Recall Repair Available |
| 11009967 | This bulletin provides information when there is an issue with wireless charging/wireless charging not working with Audi Phone Box. |
| 11009957 | This bulletin provides informatin on ordering replacement parts for vehicles with ConBox Low; applies to any customer complaint or DTC, including SOS malfunctions. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)