2020 Audi Q8: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
28 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
26,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 28 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 17.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 10.7% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 10.7% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 7.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 8 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
Engine: 8; Electrical System: 6; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 2; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 2; Power Train: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 24 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2020: 1; 2021: 3; 2022: 5; 2023: 5; 2024: 3; 2025: 6; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11365737 · 2020-10-22 (October 22, 2020)
THE VEHICLE'S START STOP SYSTEM OR TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE SLUGGISH LEADING TO VARIOUS BOUTS OF HESITATION ESPECIALLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND COASTING AT A SLOW SPEED AND THEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THIS WAS ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT FROM A LEFT TURN LANE AND HAVING THE CAR HESITATE FOR WHAT FELT LIKE A SECOND OR TWO WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH IF SOMEONE WAS COMING IN THE OTHER DIRECTION.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11365737 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11388712 · 2021-01-18 (January 18, 2021)
EVERY TIM TOWING A TRAILER AND HITCH WEIGHT IS OVER 300 LBS ( SPECIFICATION SHOWS 770 LBS MAX, ORIGINAL AUDI HITCH INSTALLED CAME WITH THE CAR ) THE AUDI LIMITED PRE-SENSE WARNING GOES ON AFTER ~45 MIN DRIVE WITH TRAILER. AFTER THAT NO DISTANCE WARNING OR CRUSE CONTROL (ADAPTIVE) POSSIBLE. AFTER REMOVING THE TRAILER - THE ISSUE CONTINUES. ONLY SOLVE IS A NEW CALIBRATION OF RADAR SYSTEM AT AUDI DEALER (2 DAYS) AND SAME ISSUE RETURNS WHEN TOWING A TRAILER AGAIN. (HAPPEN NOW 5 TIMES SINCE JAN 2020 - WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR) - AND WE TOWED 2 DIFF…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11388712 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11423494 · 2021-07-05 (July 5, 2021)
On several occasions, the supposed "driver's assistance" almost made me crash. In two or three cases, the assistance slammed on my breaks unnecessarily when a vehicle in front of me changed lanes, which almost caused me to be rear ended. In another, even more concerning case, the assistance accelerated heavily just as a slower vehicle moved into my lane of traffic, which was extremely dangerous. This technology is too basic to be trusted and too dangerous to use.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11423494 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11438589 · 2021-10-29 (October 29, 2021)
Many times my 2020 SQ8 instrument pannel lights up , even just pulling out of my garage , and indicates that my RIGHT Front Tire is low/ or flat ( low tire warning ) and to check Right passenger side for damage .??? . ( each time (10-20 times ) this has happened and i discover NO Flat tire or Damage ). On June 16 , 2020 while driving in traffic the instrument pannel lights up and shows the same message as above mentioned . About 30 seconds later, the Audi pulls hard to the Right jumps the curb and crashes the car . The Driver is Emotionall…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11438589 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11450839 · 2022-02-07 (February 7, 2022)
The contact owns a 2020 Audi Q8. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph the steering wheel suddenly turned to the right causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into the curb and dirt. After the crash, the vehicle was undrivable and was towed to the dealer. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The cause of the failure was not determined. Prior to the crash the passenger side air pressure monitoring system would randomly become activated. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified …
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11450839 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11479474 · 2022-08-15 (August 15, 2022)
- Problem: Locking system malfunctions leaving at least one door in an unlocked state. The door(s) can be opened while the ignition is on and the car is not in park or when the car is parked with the ignition off. - Safety risks: Carjacking, bodily harm, death, theft of vehicle or its contents. - Problem has been confirmed by a dealer and manufacturer. - Vehicle has been serviced multiple times between July 2021 and July 2022 in an attempt to fix the problem. - Warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem appeared at time of failur…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11479474 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11486873 · 2022-09-28 (September 28, 2022)
The contact owns a 2020 Audi Q8. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V516000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11486873 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11496212 · 2022-12-06 (December 6, 2022)
The contact owns a 2020 Audi Q8. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V516000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11496212 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
20V272000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines
Reported: 2020-05-13 (May 13, 2020)
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).
Consequence: If transmission fluid leaks while driving, the road surface may become slippery, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission oil pipe and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 12, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 38C7.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V516000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V900000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗