2019 Audi Q8: complaints, problems and recalls

THE AUTOMATIC LANE CENTERING (ALC) AND LANE KEEPING ASSIST (LKA) ARE UNRELIABLE. THE ALC INFREQUENTLY CAUSES THE CAR TO SWERVE OFF THE ROAD AND BOTH FUNCTIONS DO NOT WARN WHEN NECESSARY AND INEXPLICABLY FAIL TO RECOGNIZE THE LANE MARKINGS.

Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11190310 at NHTSA ↗

THE AUTO STOP/START SYSTEM ON THE AUDI Q8 PRESENTS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN A DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP. FREQUENTLY, WHEN I DO THIS (WITH THE AUTO STOP/START ENGAGED - IT'S DEFAULT SETTING) THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE FOR APPROXIMATELY 2-4 SECONDS. WHEN IT DOES ENGAGE, IT FINALLY DOES SO WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE. THIS IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS WHEN TAKING A LEFT HAND TURN EITHER ACROSS A LANE OF TRAFFIC OR TAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO A ROAD. FOR THE DRIVER, IT'S VERY DISCONCERTING AS (1) YOU DON'T GET THE POWER WHEN YOU WANT OR…

Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11219348 at NHTSA ↗

START/STOP SYSTEM HAS NEARLY CAUSED TWO MAJOR ACCIDENTS FOR ME. TURNING LEFT AT AN INTERSECTION WITH APPROACHING TRAFFIC AND PLENTY OF TIME UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES TO PROCEED......PUSH ACCELERATOR AND 2 TO 3 SECOND HESITATION (TURBO LAG). CAR DOES NOT MOVE. THERE IS NO WAY TO PERMANENTLY DISABLE THIS DEFECTIVE SYSTEM IN THE AUDI Q8.

Owner-reported narrative. 1,650 miles reported. Look up ODI 11219407 at NHTSA ↗

EXCESSIVE AND DANGEROUS DELAY IN THROTTLE RESPONSE DUE TO AUTO START/STOP SYSTEM CAUSING VEHICLE TO COAST WHEN SLOWING DOWN AT A YIELD SIGN OR INTERSECTION ETC BEFORE TRANSMISSION RE-ENGAGES. THE VEHICLE IS POWERLESS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS DESPITE APPLICATION OF GAS PEDAL, CAUSING ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO POTENTIAL COLLIDE WITH "STALLED" Q8. THIS IS A MAJOR DESIGN DEFECT IN THE AUTO START/STOP SYSTEM AND OCCURS EVERY TIME THE SYSTEM IS ACTIVE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11219427 at NHTSA ↗

MY GORGEOUS NEW AUDI Q8 HAS A DANGEROUS HESITATION ISSUE WHEN ACCELERATION FROM A FULL START WITH AUTO START/STOP ENABLED. THE ISSUE IS DESCRIBED THOROUGHLY IN THE ARTICLE @ HTTPS://TECHCRUNCH.COM/2019/06/10/REVIEW-THE-STUNNING-2019-AUDI-Q8-HAS-A-DEAL-BREAKING-FLAW/. ACCELERATOR RESPONSE IS VERY INCONSISTENT SUCH THAT YOU CAN'T COUNT ON THE CAR ACCELERATING IN A CONSISTENT MANNER. IT EITHER HESITATES OR SURGES FORWARD. TURNING AUTO START/STOP DOES IMPROVE PERFORMANCE, BUT ONE MUST REMEMBER TO TURN IT OFF EVERY TIME YOU START THE VEHICLE. …

Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 11222824 at NHTSA ↗

THERE CAN BE A PROFOUND LAG IN ACCELERATION AT CRITICAL TIMES. I CAN COME TO AN INTERSECTION AND SLOW. WHEN THE GAP IS SAFE TO TURN WITH TRAFFIC OR ACROSS TRAFFIC THE CAR WILL NOT PICK UP AND GO. IT WILL LAG AND NOT ACCELERATE. I WILL COAST INTO THE INTERSECTION AND I FEEL AS IF I COULD BE BROADSIDED. THE LAG IS ABOUT 3-4 SECONDS. NOTHING....JUST A DEAD ROLL. IT WILL PICK UP AND ACCELERATE AT 3-4 SECONDS. I FEEL THAT THE GAP I WAITED FOR WAS TYPICALLY SAFE FOR OTHER VEHICLES I HAVE DRIVEN. IT IS NOT TURBO LAG....I OWN PLENTY OF DIESELS. IT …

Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11251883 at NHTSA ↗

THERE IS A NOTICEABLE THROTTLE LAG (HESITATION) WHEN THE AUTO START/STOP FEATURE IS ENABLED, AND THE CAR COMES OUT OF A ROLLING STOP (EX. WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN). DISABLING THE AUTO START/STOP FEATURE OR SELECTING SPORT MODE NEGATES THE ISSUE.

Owner-reported narrative. 11 miles reported. Look up ODI 11251899 at NHTSA ↗

DANGEROUS LAG/PAUSE IN THROTTLE RESPONSE WHEN ACCELERATION IS NEEDED. WHEN COMING TO A ROLLING OR ALMOST COMPLETE STOP, THE AUTO START/STOP SYSTEM IS ENABLED. IF I GO TO TURN/ACCELERATE THERE CAN BE SEVERAL SECONDS OF TIME LAG BETWEEN PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR AND ANY THROTTLE RESPONSE. IT IS DANGEROUS AT TIMES WHEN PULLING ONTO A STREET AND THE CAR WILL NOT RESPOND AFTER A FEW SECONDS. ADDITIONAL THROTTLE PRESSURE DOES NOT INDUCE A THROTTLE RESPONSE, AND SUDDENLY THE CAR WILL SURGE AHEAD. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AND AND SEEMS REL…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11252778 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2019-02-20 (February 20, 2019)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019 Q7, Q8, S5 Cabriolet, and S5 Sportback vehicles. The front shock absorber forks may develop cracks allowing the shock absorbers to loosen.

Consequence: Loose shock absorbers may impair vehicle steering, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the shock absorber forks, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 40O4.

Reported: 2020-03-16 (March 16, 2020)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling 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 a loss of steering control.

Consequence: A sudden loss of loss of steering control may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and Audi dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering shaft bolt, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 36A1.

Reported: 2022-07-20 (July 20, 2022)

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.

Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Reported: 2025-12-19 (December 19, 2025)

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."

Consequence: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Reported: 2026-03-04 (March 4, 2026)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019 Audi Q8, Audi A7, and Audi A6 vehicles previously repaired under recall number 25V900. Due to a software error, the lane departure warning system may be deactivated.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 13, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TW. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 6, 2026.