AI Damage2021 Audi RS Q8: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Audi RS Q8 filed 2 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and steering. The maker issued 1,230 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 1,230
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 100% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 50% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (100% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 421.
- Steering: 1 complaints (50% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 42.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4 L · hybrid · turbo · 8 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: AWD
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 421 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 42 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 247 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 120 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 70 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 64 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 59 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 48 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 43 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 26 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 22 |
| Backover prevention | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 0 | 14 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The car displayed a Electrical System Malfunction and completely shutdown. The car will haft to be towed to AUDI service center for diagnosis. This is extremely unsafe for general operation. Their was not sufficient time to react.
I lost steering capabilities. I pulled over & had to wait hours for a tow. I am now being told the part is on back order with over 5000 cars waiting on an alternator. I’ve not even had the car a year. Paid well over $100k for it.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,862 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 11% least complained about).
On average one model year of the RS Q8 has 0 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 2, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine 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 a warning message in the instrument cluster about…
- This bulletin provides information regarding various complaints about front or rear door locks
- 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 regarding driver assist systems; Audi adaptive light, Audi pre sense…
This bulletin provides information regarding driver assist systems; Audi adaptive light, Audi pre sense system fault, adaptive cruise assist inop (DTC C12D5FA).
- This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations
- This bulletin provides general information about SOS Emergency Assist
- This bulletin provides information when there are stails/marks on the sill panel trim
- This bulletin provides information when the MIL is on; P310B00 - low fuel pressure regulation, fuel…
This bulletin provides information when the MIL is on; P310B00 - low fuel pressure regulation, fuel pressure outside of tolerance - symptom 2638.
- 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.
NHTSA lists 1,230 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Audi RS Q8?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, steering. Total complaints: 2. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (50%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Audi RS Q8?
NHTSA lists 1,230 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 2021 Audi RS 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 2021 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.