The 2019 Audi Q8 has 5 safety recalls and 110 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (44 complaints).
Recalls5safety recalls
Complaints110filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints
2019 Audi Q8 in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Lane departure › Software
NHTSA recall 26V125000 · Mar 4, 2026 · 1,620 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera
NHTSA recall 25V900000 · Dec 19, 2025 · 356,894 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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."
Risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Problem: 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.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Steering
NHTSA recall 20V149000 · Mar 16, 2020 · 229 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: A sudden loss of loss of steering control may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Suspension › Front › Shock absorber
NHTSA recall 19V114000 · Feb 20, 2019 · 34 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: Loose shock absorbers may impair vehicle steering, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2019 Audi Q8 SUV AWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
15.8%
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Q8 Hybrid
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Electrical system
44
0
0
1
9,800 mi
Power train
43
0
0
0
3,005 mi
Engine
34
0
0
0
4,000 mi
Steering
11
0
0
0
—
Fuel/propulsion system
10
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
9
0
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control
6
0
0
0
11 mi
Exterior lighting
3
0
0
0
—
Suspension
3
0
0
0
—
Seat belts
2
1
0
1
—
Latches/locks/linkages Doors › Latch
2
0
0
0
—
Fuel system, gasoline
2
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Sep 7, 2026Engine NHTSA Vehicle Safety Complaint â 2019 Audi Q8 Prestige, 3.0L Turbocharged V6 I am reporting a serious engine defect involving piston damage and cylinder wall scoring in my 2019 Audi Q8 Prestige equipped with the 3.0L turbocharged EA839 engine. Audi of America has previously acknowledged a piston-skirt concern affecting certain vehicles equipped with this engine and issued U82 warranty-extension letters to affected consumers, extending piston-skirt coverage to 8 years or 80,000 miles. Despite this known concern, my vehicle has developed significant internal engine damage requiring major repairs. I initially reported an abnormal engine knocking noise to an authorized Audi dealership during…
Sep 14, 2026Engine 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 electrical system failure due to being melted and three of my cylinders were misfiring. Audi states i need a full engine replacement at my expense and is not taking ownership of failed warning system. Engine for car quoted 25-30k for replacement. total car value with approx. 80k miles is 17k. Absolutely ridiculous.
Aug 27, 2026Engine I own a 2019 Audi Q8 3.0 TFSI that has been regularly maintained and serviced through authorized Audi dealerships. 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. Because the vehicle continued to be serviced by Audi, I believed the sound was related to the fuel injectors or normal engine operation. At approximately 91,000 miles, the noise became noticeably worse. At 91,623 miles, Audi San Jose diagnosed the knocking as related to the engine pistons, classified it as requiring âIMMEDIATE ATTENTION,â opened Audi TAC case SF-1690700, and…
Jun 4, 2026Unknown or other I have experienced multiple events in which the there is a central locking system malfunction which renders the fob, door lock button, and at times, the door handle nonfunctional and effectively traps occupants in the vehicle.
Apr 12, 2026Engine My car is a 2019 Audi Q8 3.0L V6 with only 41,831 miles. My emergency light went on and I brought it my locat Audi Dealer. The inspection revealed that the coolant pump was leaking internally, contaminating the entire vacuum system with coolant. This is not a maintenance failure or the result of owner neglect. It is a well-documented, inherent design defect in the EA839 3.0T engine platform that powers the 2019 Q8, a defect that Audi of America has acknowledged through multiple Technical Service Bulletins. Specifically, the EA839 water pump uses a vacuum-operated diaphragm to control coolant flow. When the pump's internal seals fail â as they predictably do â coolant migrates directly…
Apr 6, 2026Engine I own a 2019 Audi Q8. The vehicle was in the dealershipâs possession for approximately three (3) weeks for service. During that time, I was not informed of any significant mechanical concerns or issues. After retrieving the vehicle, it displayed an oil pressure warning while in operation. I immediately returned the vehicle to the dealership for evaluation. At that time, the dealership added oil (âtopped offâ the vehicle) and released it back to me without identifying or addressing the underlying cause of the warning. Following this, I made multiple attempts to have the vehicle properly diagnosed. I experienced difficulty obtaining assistance, including calls being disconnected, and I…
Apr 8, 2026Electrical system - Vehicle: 2019 Audi Q8, VIN [XXX] - Recall: Campaign 25V900 (90TV), Rearview Camera Software - Dealer: Audi Marin, 700 Francisco Blvd W, San Rafael CA, BAR# XXX - What happened: Recall attempted April 1, 2026. Technician logged Error 005A â communication failure with front driver assistance â on RO #XXX. Vehicle returned with rearview camera non-functional and driver assistance systems unavailable. - Current status: Dealer claims recall was performed. Rearview camera remains non-functional. The specific defect the recall addresses is present in the vehicle. - Dealer conduct: Dealer is attempting to charge $345 diagnostic fee for damage introduced during the recall attempt, claiming…
Nov 7, 2025Engine Piston slap issues. The manufacturer is aware of the engine failure issues. They extended the engine warranty coverage from 50k to 80k miles knowing that the engine piston slap is an extreme issue but they wonât issue a total and complete recall. Owners have to identify that issue and have to specifically bring it in to have it bore scoped. If an owner isnât aware of the noise and goes over the 80k miles then they are not held responsible for the complete and utter engine destruction.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
