The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 9 of 28 complaints (32%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Steering include more crash reports (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 111 in 2019 to 28 in 2020.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 28
- Recall campaigns
- 3
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $4,300
- Combined MPG
- 18
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | vs. 2020 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,050 | 4,300 | 3,850 | 3,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17 / 22 | 17 / 21 | 18 / 23 | 18 / 23 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 474 | 479 | 453 | 440 | |
| Complaints filed | 111 | 28 | 30 | 2 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 3 | 7 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2020 Audi Q8 have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2020 Audi Q8?
Engine: 9 of 28 NHTSA complaints (32%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Audi Q8 get?
EPA rates it 18 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Audi Q8?
EPA estimates $4,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (1)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 17 mpg | 21 mpg | 18 mpg | $4,300 | 479 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
- Defect
- 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
- Defect
- 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
- Defect
- 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.