AI Damage2020 Audi Q8: common problems
Owners of the 2020 Audi Q8 filed 28 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. The maker issued 1,238 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 28
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 1,238
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 29% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 21% of all complaints
- 3 Forward collision avoidance 18% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel/propulsion system 11% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 11% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 7% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- 8 Backover prevention 7% of all complaints
- Engine: 8 complaints (29% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 58.
- Electrical system: 6 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 376.
- Forward collision avoidance: 5 complaints (18% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 11.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 3 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 13.
- Fuel system: 3 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
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 28 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 8 | 0 | 58 |
| Electrical system | 6 | 0 | 376 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 5 | 1 | 11 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 13 |
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 9 |
| Steering | 2 | 2 | 46 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 27 |
| Backover prevention | 2 | 0 | 13 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 129 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 67 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 61 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 42 |
| Lane departure | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 294 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
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 ).
I am reporting a recurring problem with the front passenger-side window on my 2020 Audi Q8. This issue began when the vehicle was approximately two years old and has continued intermittently.
I experienced engine sputtering/rough running and the vehicle felt as though it might stall while stopped at a traffic light. A Drive System Malfunction/check-engine warning appeared, and cruise control/driver-assistance functions became unavailable. The check-engine light has continued to return intermittently.
When I signal a lane change while a vehicle is in my blind spot, the mirror LEDs blink only 3 times and then return to a solid, dim state—even though the vehicle is still actively there. If you miss that brief 3-blink window, the dim LED falsely implies the lane is clear.
Engine failed at 78,990 from an manufacturer defect that Audi knows about for the last couple of years. Audi extended warranty due to the failure to 8 years or 80K miles. The engines can lock up due to a piston failure in the scored cylinder walls causing a crash.
Water pump failed coolant leaked all over the vehicle five years old and a $7500 repair vacuum seals and most of the engine is damaged from the coolant. I have the video from the dealership but can’t upload
The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle independently activated the brakes, and the driver and passenger side seat belts tightened. The contact stated that there was a RED warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she had used the left turn signal.
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 1,107 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 47% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Q8 has 22 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 28, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
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 1,238 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 2020 Audi Q8?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, forward collision avoidance. Total complaints: 28. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: overheating, coolant loss (14%), engine failure or replacement (11%), smoke, burning smell, fire (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2020 Audi Q8?
NHTSA lists 1,238 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 2020 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 2020 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.