2019 Audi Q8 Reliability Report
NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026
Ranks 5th of 5 Q8 years we score.
- Owner complaints
- 110
- 3 are recall notices
- Per 10,000 cars
- 62.5
- 17,109 made for the U.S.
- Vs the average car
- 2.8×
- same age, 1× is average
- Serious outcomes
- 53
- crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
- Recalls
- 5
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5★
- overall, out of 5
Should You Buy the 2019 Audi Q8?
Only after careful checks. Our reliability score for the 2019 Audi Q8 is 61 out of 100, which rates Caution. Owners reported about 2.8 times as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 5th of the 5 Q8 years we score.
The most reported problem is the alternator or charging system (24 of 110 complaints). Owners also complain about the start-stop system and poor acceleration. 53 of the 110 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.
It has 5 recalls. Audi also offers five warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the fuel system, drive axles, sunroof, dashboard and driver assistance systems. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2020 scores 64.
Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask an Audi dealer about warranty extension AWA-22-05 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.
Pros
- No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
- 5-star NHTSA overall crash rating
- 5 Audi warranty extensions may cover repairs
Cons
- About 2.8 times the problems of the average car its age
- Alternator or charging failure24 complaints
- Start-stop system: hesitation18 complaints
- Poor acceleration (cause not stated)16 complaints
How the 2019 Q8 Earned Its Score
Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score
| Item | Vs average | Points lost |
|---|---|---|
| Starting score | 100 | |
| Serious problems | 3.0× | −16 |
| Everyday problems | 2.3× | −7 |
| Problems in the last two years | 1.3× | −10 |
| Recalls | 1.0× | −6 |
| Score | 61 |
What Owners Report
We read all 110 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Audi Q8, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first. A complaint that describes more than one problem is counted under each, so the counts add up to more than 110.
Alternator or charging failure
24 complaints (22%)
A failure. 18 of these 24 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 54,000 miles.
Start-stop system: hesitation
18 complaints (16%)
Hesitation, surging and a loss of power. 5 of these 18 complaints describe a serious outcome. In 8 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 3,000 miles.
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
16 complaints (15%)
Hesitation. 3 of these 16 complaints describe a serious outcome. In 7 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 4,000 miles.
Several warning lights at once
15 complaints (14%)
Warning lights and the system not working when needed.
Stall (cause not stated)
9 complaints (8%)
Stalling. All 9 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
4 complaints (4%)
A loss of power. All 4 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Piston rings: damage
4 complaints (4%)
Damage, unusual noises and a failure that needed a new part. 2 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 82,000 miles.
Door lock actuators: not opening or unlocking
4 complaints (4%)
Not opening or unlocking and problems that come and go.
Cooling system: a leak
3 complaints (3%)
A leak. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Engine: stalling
3 complaints (3%)
Stalling, a failure and unusual noises. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Engine failure
3 complaints (3%)
A failure. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Fuel pump failure
3 complaints (3%)
A failure and unusual noises.
Door latches: not opening or unlocking
2 complaints (2%)
Not opening or unlocking.
Driver-assist camera and radar: works on and off
2 complaints (2%)
Problems that come and go and a feature that stopped working.
48V mild hybrid battery failure
2 complaints (2%)
A failure.
Show 4 more problems
Rearview camera: works on and off
2 complaints (2%)
Problems that come and go and a feature that stopped working.
Seat belts: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (2%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and belt twists and retracts into the B pillar.
Steering: warning lights
2 complaints (2%)
Warning lights and loose steering feel.
Taillights or brake lights: shattering or cracking
2 complaints (2%)
Shattering or cracking and a feature that stopped working.
Reported Once (31)
Show the 31 problems reported once
- A/C: stopped working
- AWD or rear differential failure
- Brakes: early wear
- Check engine light (cause not stated)
- Coil spring: parts breaking or coming apart
- Engine (misfire codes): rough running or misfires
- Engine mounts failure
- Engine overheating
- Engine sensors or computer: warning lights
- Exterior trim: parts breaking or coming apart
- Fuel leak
- Screen and audio: works on and off
- Instrument cluster: stopped working
- Interior trim: damage
- Key fob: stopped working
- Lane keeping assist: pulling or wandering
- Noise (cause not stated)
- Passenger airbag sensor: warning lights
- Oil pressure: warning lights
- 48V mild hybrid system failure
- A/C evaporator failure
- Parking or perimeter proximity sensors: the system acting on its own
- Spare tire inflator pump: stopped working
- Vacuum system components failure
- Power liftgate: stopped working
- Seats: parts breaking or coming apart
- Car not starting (cause not stated)
- Warning lights (cause not stated)
- Wheels seized (cause not stated)
- Windows or locks or sunroof (operate by themselves): the system acting on its own
- Wiring, fuses or body control module: damage
How the 2019 Audi Q8 Compares With Other Years
The other Q8 years of the 1st generation, 2019 to 2026, and the years just before and after it.
| Year | Rating | Score | Vs average | Per 10k cars | Recalls | Most reported problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Too new | – | – | 0.0 | 1 | – |
| 2025 | Not scored | – | – | 2.8 | 2 | – |
| 2024 | Not scored | – | – | 3.9 | 3 | Door latches: not opening or unlocking |
| 2023 | Good | 79 | 0.54× | 5.4 | 2 | Brakes: stopped working |
| 2022 | Good | 74 | 0.74× | 10.2 | 4 | Alternator or charging failure |
| 2021 | Caution | 65 | 1.3× | 20.3 | 8 | Alternator or charging failure |
| 2020 | Caution | 64 | 1.8× | 35.2 | 3 | Cooling system failure |
| 2019 This year | Caution | 61 | 2.8× | 62.5 | 5 | Alternator or charging failure |
2019 Audi Q8 Recalls
Five recalls cover the 2019 Audi Q8. The most recent was issued in March 2026: “Lane Departure Warning Deactivated.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.
Lane Departure Warning Deactivated
The driver may be unaware that the lane departure warning system is deactivated and rely on a system that is not functional, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 26V125000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 4, 2026. By the second quarter of 2026, 50% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111
A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 25V900000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 19, 2025. By the second quarter of 2026, 58% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel Pump May Fail
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 22V516000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jul 20, 2022. By the third quarter of 2024, 94% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Possible Loss of Steering Control
A sudden loss of loss of steering control may increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 20V149000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 16, 2020. By the second quarter of 2021, 92% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Shock Absorber Forks May Develop Cracks
Loose shock absorbers may impair vehicle steering, increasing the risk of crash.
NHTSA 19V114000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Feb 20, 2019. By the second quarter of 2020, 91% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
2019 Audi Q8 Warranty Extensions and Programs
Audi has five warranty extensions for the 2019 Audi Q8, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the fuel system, drive axles, sunroof, dashboard and driver assistance systems. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which an Audi dealer can check.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-22-05
Faulty electric fuel pump
- The problem:
- The electric fuel pump can be faulty. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer repairs or replaces a faulty electric fuel pump, with any parts and labor needed.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain 2018 to 2021 S4, S5 and SQ5, 2019 to 2021 Q8 and A8, and 2020 and 2021 Q7. Cars already repaired still qualify, but totaled cars do not.
- Coverage:
- 15 years or 150,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-23-02
CV joint failure
- The problem:
- A CV joint can fail from a defect. The bulletin does not say which joint or describe the symptoms.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer diagnoses the CV joint and replaces it for free if it failed from a defect.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain 2018 Q5 and Q7, 2019 A6, A7, A8, Q5, Q7, Q8 and e-tron, and 2020 A6, A7, A8, Q5 and Q8. Other problems found during diagnosis are not covered.
- Coverage:
- 5 years or 60,000 miles from the in-service date, whichever comes first.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-23-09
Water leaks through the closed sunroof
- The problem:
- Water can leak into the cabin from the sunroof even when it is fully closed.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer fixes the leak and the water damage it caused. Audi pays 35 to 90 percent of the cost, depending on model year, age and mileage.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain 2019 to 2021 Q3, Q8 and e-tron in the class action settlement. Not covered: a sunroof not fully closed, broken glass, unchecked clogged drains, non-dealer repairs, and totaled or salvage title cars.
- Coverage:
- 7 years or 80,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first, on a prorated basis.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-23-11
Leather dashboard delamination
- The problem:
- The leather on the dashboard can delaminate, with its layers coming apart.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer replaces the leather dashboard if diagnosis confirms a delamination defect. The bulletin conflicts on whether Audi pays all of it or a percentage.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain 2019 and 2020 Q8 and e-tron, and 2017 to 2020 R8, in the settlement class. Damage from abuse, crashes or earlier non-dealer repairs is excluded, as are totaled or salvage title cars.
- Coverage:
- 8 years or 80,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first. Ask an Audi dealer for the exact terms.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-24-04
Automatic emergency braking system faults
- The problem:
- The automatic emergency braking, or AEB, system can malfunction when its control unit, a camera, the LIDAR or a sensor fails.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer repairs the AEB fault and Audi pays 75 percent of the cost. Damage from crashes, impacts, moved sensors or weather is not covered.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain Audis covered by the settlement, with a confirmed fault in the AEB control unit, cameras, LIDAR or sensors. If the new car warranty's time ran out by May 16, 2024, the extension's time limit was November 16, 2024.
- Coverage:
- Up to 12 months or 12,000 miles after the new car warranty ends. Ask an Audi dealer for the exact terms.
NHTSA Crash Test Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2019 Q8 ratings on NHTSA.gov.
SUV AWD
Check Before You Buy
A checklist for the 2019 Q8, from its five recalls, five Audi warranty extensions that may still apply and the problems owners report most.
Confirm the Recalls Were Done
Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.
- Lane Departure Warning Deactivated NHTSA 26V125000
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 NHTSA 25V900000
- Fuel Pump May Fail NHTSA 22V516000
- Possible Loss of Steering Control NHTSA 20V149000
- Shock Absorber Forks May Develop Cracks NHTSA 19V114000
Ask an Audi Dealer
Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.
- AWA-22-05: faulty electric fuel pump
- AWA-23-02: CV joint failure
- AWA-23-09: water leaks through the closed sunroof
- AWA-23-11: leather dashboard delamination
- AWA-24-04: automatic emergency braking system faults
On the Test Drive
- Ask about battery and starter replacements. A slow start after the car sits is a warning sign.
- Drive long enough to warm up fully, including at highway speed, and note any stalling or loss of power.
Ask the Seller
Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.
- Alternator or charging system
- Start-stop system
- Poor acceleration
- Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.
Before You Pay
- Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
- Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
- Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.
What to do next