2020 Audi Q8 Reliability Report
NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026
Ranks 4th of 5 Q8 years we score.
- Owner complaints
- 29
- 4 are recall notices
- Per 10,000 cars
- 35.2
- 7,106 made for the U.S.
- Vs the average car
- 1.8×
- same age, 1× is average
- Serious outcomes
- 14
- crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
- Recalls
- 3
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5★
- overall, out of 5
Should You Buy the 2020 Audi Q8?
Only after careful checks. Our reliability score for the 2020 Audi Q8 is 64 out of 100, which rates Caution. Owners reported about 1.8 times as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 4th of the 5 Q8 years we score.
The most reported problem is the cooling system (5 of 29 complaints). Owners also complain about the driver-assist camera and radar and the rearview camera. 14 of the 29 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.
It has 3 recalls. Audi also offers six warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the fuel system, drive axles, engine, sunroof, dashboard and driver assistance systems. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2019 scores 61 and the 2021 scores 65.
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
- 6 Audi warranty extensions may cover repairs
Cons
- About 1.8 times the problems of the average car its age
- More complaints than average about major systems in the last two years
- Cooling system failure5 complaints
- Driver-assist camera and radar: stopped working3 complaints
How the 2020 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 | 2.1× | −14 |
| Everyday problems | 1.3× | −5 |
| Problems in the last two years | 1.8× | −12 |
| Recalls | 0.79× | −5 |
| Score | 64 |
What Owners Report
We read all 29 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 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 29.
Cooling system failure
5 complaints (17%)
A failure that needed a new part and a leak. Median mileage when it started: about 55,000 miles.
Driver-assist camera and radar: stopped working
3 complaints (10%)
A feature that stopped working, hard braking with nothing ahead and a failure. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: sudden braking.
Rearview camera: works on and off
3 complaints (10%)
Problems that come and go.
Several warning lights at once
2 complaints (7%)
Warning lights. Both describe a serious outcome, most often a tow.
Engine failure
2 complaints (7%)
A failure. Both describe a serious outcome.
Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
2 complaints (7%)
Burning or using oil.
Door lock actuators: stopped working
2 complaints (7%)
A feature that stopped working and problems that come and go.
Steering: loss of steering control
2 complaints (7%)
Loss of steering control. Both describe a serious outcome, most often a crash.
Tire pressure monitoring: warning lights
2 complaints (7%)
Warning lights.
Reported Once (13)
Show the 13 problems reported once
- Adaptive cruise control: stopped working
- Alternator or charging failure
- Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
- Cabin odor or mold: a bad smell
- Check engine light (cause not stated)
- Engine: damage
- Engine (misfire codes): rough running or misfires
- Fuel system failure
- Lane keeping assist: pulling or wandering
- Loss of power (cause not stated)
- Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
- Power windows or regulator: works on and off
- Side blind zone alert: wrong readings
How the 2020 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 This year | Caution | 64 | 1.8× | 35.2 | 3 | Cooling system failure |
| 2019 | Caution | 61 | 2.8× | 62.5 | 5 | Alternator or charging failure |
2020 Audi Q8 Recalls
Three recalls cover the 2020 Audi Q8. The most recent was issued in December 2025: “Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.
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.
Transmission Oil Pipe May Leak
If transmission fluid leaks while driving, the road surface may become slippery, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 20V272000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 13, 2020. By the first quarter of 2022, 98% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
2020 Audi Q8 Warranty Extensions and Programs
Audi has six warranty extensions for the 2020 Audi Q8, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the fuel system, drive axles, engine, 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-23-07
Crankcase breather failure, 4.0 engine
- The problem:
- The crankcase breather on the 4.0 EA825 engine can fail from a defect. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer diagnoses the crankcase breather and replaces it for free if it failed from a defect.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain 2019 to 2023 Audis with the 4.0 EA825 engine. The bulletin names no model. Other problems found during diagnosis are not covered.
- Coverage:
- 15 years or 150,000 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 2020 Q8 ratings on NHTSA.gov.
SUV AWD
RS Q8 SUV AWD and SQ8 SUV AWD
Check Before You Buy
A checklist for the 2020 Q8, from its three recalls, six 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.
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 NHTSA 25V900000
- Fuel Pump May Fail NHTSA 22V516000
- Transmission Oil Pipe May Leak NHTSA 20V272000
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-23-07: crankcase breather failure, 4.0 engine
- 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
- Check the coolant level and watch the temperature gauge on the test drive.
- Watch for sudden braking or steering with nothing ahead, and ask whether the driver-assist software updates were done.
- Check the backup camera image when reversing.
Ask the Seller
Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.
- Cooling system
- Driver-assist camera and radar
- Rearview camera
- 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