AI Damage2019 Audi Q8: common problems
Owners of the 2019 Audi Q8 filed 110 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and powertrain. The maker issued 1,180 service bulletins for this year. We found 2 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 110
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 1,180
- YouTube repair videos
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 40% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 39% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 31% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 10% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 9% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 5% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 3% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 3% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 44 complaints (40% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 357.
- Powertrain: 43 complaints (39% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 26.
- Engine: 34 complaints (31% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 58.
- Steering: 11 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 44.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 10 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3 L · hybrid · turbo · 6 cylnamed in 2 complaints
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 110 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 44 | 0 | 357 |
| Powertrain | 43 | 0 | 26 |
| Engine | 34 | 0 | 58 |
| Steering | 11 | 0 | 44 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 0 | 4 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 53 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 | 24 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 120 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 2 | 0 | 13 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 1 | 12 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 11 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 58 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 42 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Seatbelt apparatus and seat detached during rear end motor vehicle crash.
I initially reported an abnormal engine knocking noise to an authorized Audi dealership during the original factory warranty period, at approximately 47,000 miles. The dealership advised me that this noise was normal and did not correct the underlying condition.
Engine overheated and dash warning light did not illuminate until coolant was completely overheated. i followed the light, pulled off the road and let the engine idle until the light when away as directed and proceeded to drive approx 10 miles total distance to work from first warning light to full engine failure with…
The abnormal engine ticking/knocking did not suddenly begin at 91,000 miles. A similar noise could be heard earlier, but it was not identified by Audi service as an internal engine/piston problem.
[dealer] has issued multiple TSBs addressing coolant pump failures on this exact engine platform, and previously extended warranty coverage for Q7 and Q8 vehicles, including those built during the same production window as the vehicle in question.
- Vehicle: 2019 Audi Q8, VIN [XXX] - Recall: Campaign 25V900 (90TV), Rearview Camera Software - Dealer: Audi Marin, [address], San Rafael CA, BAR# XXX - What happened: Recall attempted April 1, 2026. Technician logged Error 005A — communication failure with front driver assistance — on RO #XXX.
Due to a misdiagnosis in June of 2025 (oil leak), [dealer] caused the complete failure of the differential in December of 2025 by not doing a deeper diagnosis earlier to resolve the catastrophic failure. This is a safety concern and very expensive.
Dash Delamination: The leather dashboard is experiencing severe delamination and pulling away from the substrate, specifically in the area surrounding the passenger-side airbag.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 536 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 25% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Q8 has 22 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 110, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has…
This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
- This bulletin provides information when there is an abnormal knocking noise from the engine compartment;…
- This bulletin provides information regarding fault finding and repair information for electric tailgate
- This bulletin provides information about billing for a broken sunroof glass panel
- This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations
- This bulletin provides general information about SOS Emergency Assist
- This TSB describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases
- This bulletin provides information when the rear parking sensor sometimes does not work, rear parking…
This bulletin provides information when the rear parking sensor sometimes does not work, rear parking sensor loose, rear parking sensor fault message.
- This bulletin provides information when DTC C12BFF0 is stored in the lane change modeul or the radar…
This bulletin provides information when DTC C12BFF0 is stored in the lane change modeul or the radar sensor; intersection assist/lane change assist are inoperable.
- This bulletin provides information when there is an Audi pressense warning, warning jolt, and/or brake…
- This bulletin provides information when there is an Audi adaptive light system malfunction; DTC C12B3FA is…
This bulletin provides information when there is an Audi adaptive light system malfunction; DTC C12B3FA is stored in the control module for driver assistance systems.
- This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer
NHTSA lists 1,180 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Audi Q8?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, powertrain, engine. Total complaints: 110. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (12%), hesitation when accelerating (6%), engine failure or replacement (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2019 Audi Q8?
NHTSA lists 1,180 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2019 Audi Q8 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2019 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.