2020 Audi Q8 Problems and Top Complaints – Is Your Car A Lemon?

Engine and equipment issues among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners

Updated on Author: Brian Jones

Updated on Author: Brian Jones

The Audi Q8 is made to handle a family while providing the driver with a sports car-like feel. The manufacturer claims this model is “Inspiring confidence at life’s intersections.” However, customers are struggling to deal with the defective engine and faulty equipment.

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NHTSA Complaints for the 2020 Audi Q8

Complaint CategoryNumber of Complaints
Engine
2
Fuel/propulsion System
2
Fuel System, Gasoline
2
Steering
2
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
2
Electrical System
1
Structure:body
1
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
1
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
1
Power Train
1

Problems with the Engine

The Audi Q8 is not a cheap car and should come equipped with a solid engine, but that’s not the case.

One NHTSA complaint says, “The vehicle’s start-stop system or transmission seems to be sluggish leading to various bouts of hesitation especially when slowing down and coasting at a slow speed then trying to accelerate. This was especially noticeable when attempting to turn left from a left turn lane and having the car hesitate for what felt like a second or two which could lead to a crash if someone was coming in the other direction.”

Sadly, Audi has been dealing with start-stop issues for many years and doesn’t seem to want to fix it. There is an open class action lawsuit investigation happening right now. It talks about the dangers of this start-stop system and seeks to get Audi to recall the affected models. Until then, customers aren’t looking forward to doing anything at “life’s intersections.”

Problems with the Equipment

The equipment on the Q8 seems to be malfunctioning as well.

Here is an interesting complaint left on the NHTSA website. “Every time towing a trailer and hitch weight is over 300 lbs (specification shows 770 lbs max, original Audi hitch installed came with the car). The Audi Limited Pre-Sense Warning goes on after a 45-min drive with trailer. After that no distance warning or cruise control (adaptive) possible. After removing the trailer – the issue continues.”

Sadly, there are even larger problems occurring with the transmission, even sparking a recall. NHTSA Campaign Number 20V272000. This recall states that Q8 vehicles might have been built with an insufficient weld on the transmission oil pipe, which seems to be causing a leak. If this fluid leaks, road surfaces can become slippery, leading to a higher chance of a crash. All the Q8 gives confidence for is that a crash is imminent.

Your Lemon Law Legal Rights

Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Audi pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.

Complaint Data

CategoryElectrical System
DateFeb 02, 2023
StateNY
Description
I purchased the vehicle as a cpo, two days (1/28/23)and 200 miles later I got a warning”electrical system malfunction”. I turned the vehicle off/on and the message reappeared every time. I spoke to the dealership they advised that the issue is know to abruptly shut down power to the vehicle at any given time even while driving. I had the vehicle towed to the audi dealership.
CategoryEngine, Fuel/propulsion System
DateDec 14, 2022
StateMN
Description
My boyfriend was driving the vehicle and it killed on him in the middle of veterans highway in metairie. La back in august 2022. I did not want to drive the car after that. I have grandkids and am a single female and do not want to die or get in a serious accident because the fuel is not getting to the engine properly, or be stranded on the side of the road. I then tried to sell the car and was told that a recall was issued and no one would sell it for me. And so then I was not going to sell a vehicle that is now a danger to everyone on the road. I am still having to pay a car note, and insurance on a car I cannot drive. I have since tried to make several appointments with audi to get this corrected and they have cancelled on me 3 times because there is no remedy/ solution. I had the car towed to audi because I refuse to drive a car on the road that is unsafe and put everyone in danger and my grandkids. I even asked them for a rental and they told me because I did not buy the car from that audi they could not provide me with one.
CategoryFuel System, Gasoline
DateDec 06, 2022
StateOH
Description
The contact owns a 2020 audi q8. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 22v516000 (fuel system, gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
CategoryFuel System, Gasoline
DateSep 28, 2022
StateCA
Description
The contact owns a 2020 audi q8. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 22v516000 (fuel system, gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
CategoryStructure:body
DateAug 15, 2022
StateDC
Description
- problem: locking system malfunctions leaving at least one door in an unlocked state. The door(s) can be opened while the ignition is on and the car is not in park or when the car is parked with the ignition off. - safety risks: carjacking, bodily harm, death, theft of vehicle or its contents. - problem has been confirmed by a dealer and manufacturer. - vehicle has been serviced multiple times between july 2021 and july 2022 in an attempt to fix the problem. - warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem appeared at time of failure. No warning lamps, etc. Prior to the failure.
CategorySteering
DateFeb 07, 2022
StateCA
Description
The contact owns a 2020 audi q8. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph the steering wheel suddenly turned to the right causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into the curb and dirt. 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. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,500.
CategoryForward Collision Avoidance: Warnings, Steering
DateOct 29, 2021
StateCA
Description
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 ). On june 16 , 2020 while driving in traffic the instrument pannel lights up and shows the same message as above mentioned . About 30 seconds later, the audi pulls hard to the right jumps the curb and crashes the car . The driver is emotionally hurt & upset but is able to call triple a as the entire right front of the audi is completely damage with a turbo charger laying on the ground and part of the front missing or smashed --!!! The car looks totaled !! Major damage to the car . It still in automotiverepair shop getting repaired after being there for over 19 weeks so far . Got an initial check for over $ 26k from my insurance company but now am told the frame could be bent as the pannels do not line up correctly . What an absolute mess - !! This terrible acident was not my fault !! The audi served to the right- without me even turning the wheel. ( I should have been killed). The audi sq8 was towed to the repair shop where I reported the malfunction of the sterring wheel. The repair manager said " that I would have to call audi and that he could do nothing about the problem ." I called audi the next day and they said they could not do anything about it also . So I goggled the audi website and found this - --" nhtsa warns you could lose steering control in some more audi's sq 8 suv's which has prompted audi to recall certain 2020 sq 8- as in some cases could cause a crash. !! The bolt connecting the steering shaft could losen . The total units affected to be around 228 according to nhtsa. Recall of sq 8's is expected to begin arround may 15 , 2020. Question call 800-253-2834 or nhtsa vehicle safety hotline at 1 - 88& 327 4236.
CategoryForward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
DateJul 05, 2021
StateDC
Description
On several occasions, the supposed "driver's assistance" almost made me crash. In two or three cases, the assistance slammed on my breaks unnecessarily when a vehicle in front of me changed lanes, which almost caused me to be rear ended. In another, even more concerning case, the assistance accelerated heavily just as a slower vehicle moved into my lane of traffic, which was extremely dangerous. This technology is too basic to be trusted and too dangerous to use.
CategoryForward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
DateJan 18, 2021
StateCA
Description
Every tim towing a trailer and hitch weight is over 300 lbs ( specification shows 770 lbs max, original audi hitch installed came with the car ) the audi limited pre-sense warning goes on after ~45 min drive with trailer. After that no distance warning or cruse control (adaptive) possible. After removing the trailer - the issue continues. Only solve is a new calibration of radar system at audi dealer (2 days) and same issue returns when towing a trailer again. (happen now 5 times since jan 2020 - when we bought the car) - and we towed 2 different trailers trailer 1 - 350 lbs hitch weight, trailer 2 700 lbs hitch weight - no solve by audi provided
CategoryEngine, Fuel/propulsion System, Power Train
DateOct 22, 2020
StateIL
Description
The vehicle's start stop system or transmission seems to be sluggish leading to various bouts of hesitation especially when slowing down and coasting at a slow speed and then trying to accelerate. This was especially noticeable when attempting to turn left from a left turn lane and having the car hesitate for what felt like a second or two which could lead to a crash if someone was coming in the other direction.

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Brian Jones

About the Author:

Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.

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