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2020 Audi Q8

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 4 of 28 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Forward Collision Avoidance. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Forward Collision Avoidance complaints

5 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2026
Back Over PreventionForward Collision AvoidanceLane Departure

I am reporting a severe safety hazard on my 2020 Audi Q8 directly caused by the software update for NHTSA Recall 25V900 (Audi 90TV). The recall shows as "completed" on my VIN, but it left the vehicle with an active driver assistance defect that did not exist before. No accident has occurred, but there is a severe risk of a crash…

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I am reporting a severe safety hazard on my 2020 Audi Q8 directly caused by the software update for NHTSA Recall 25V900 (Audi 90TV). The recall shows as "completed" on my VIN, but it left the vehicle with an active driver assistance defect that did not exist before. No accident has occurred, but there is a severe risk of a crash. Following the recall, the Audi Side Assist (blind-spot monitoring) behavior changed dangerously. 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. This has caused 3 separate highway close calls (no crash occurred) where I almost merged into a vehicle because the warning period is inadequately short. This defect followed a catastrophic failure during the recall execution. I dropped the car at Audi Chantilly on Jan 13, 2026. When picked up on Jan 29, the lane-keep assist was broken (bouncing the vehicle left and right between lanes) and an SOS malfunction light was on. It took the dealer over 2 additional months to "fix" the corrupted camera/localization modules, finally returning the car in early April. While the major module errors are gone, the underlying side assist logic remains broken and hazardous. Because of a bitter, 3-month waiting experience where the vehicle was degraded, I do not trust Audi Chantilly to fix this. I need guidance on how to compel Audi to investigate this post-recall software defect and allow me to have it corrected at a different dealership.

NHTSA ODI #11743298

60,000 miles · Jan 14, 2025
Back Over PreventionElectrical SystemForward Collision Avoidance

The contact owns a 2020 Audi Q8. 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 tu…

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The contact owns a 2020 Audi Q8. 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. The contact stated that failure had occurred 3 other times while making a left turn with the left turn signal engaged. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the turn assist intervention safety feature had independently engaged and a software update was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that there was an intermittent failure with the front view and rear-view cameras. The contact stated during the failure, the image on the screen either froze or flickered. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #11635932

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2021
Forward Collision AvoidanceSteeringCrash

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 whi…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11438589

Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2021
Forward Collision Avoidance

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 v…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11423494

Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2021
Forward Collision Avoidance

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #11388712

Official recalls

3

25V900000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Dec 19, 2025

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 & remedy

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.

22V516000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Jul 20, 2022

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 & remedy

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.

20V272000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines

May 13, 2020

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.