YearToAvoid

2019 Audi Q8 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 7 Q8 years

The 2019 Audi Q8 ranks worst of 7 model years, with a Complaint Index of 100, 109 complaints, and 5 recalls. Owners most often report Electrical System (41%) and Transmission & Powertrain (39%) issues, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other Q8 years.

Complaints
109
Recalls
5
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
19
17 city / 22 hwy

Top 2019 Audi Q8 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System45 (41%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain43 (39%)
  3. Engine35 (32%)
  4. Fuel System12 (11%)
  5. Steering11 (10%)
  6. Other9 (8%)
  7. Structure & Body5 (5%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (3%)
  9. Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (2%)
  10. Seat Belts2 (2%)

What owners report

  • Auto start/stop system causes a 2-4 second delay before the car moves from a stop, sometimes with sudden hard acceleration afterward.
  • Drivers report the throttle lag happens most often at low speed, including 1-8 mph rolling stops and left turns across traffic.
  • Automatic lane centering and lane keeping assist reportedly fail to detect lane markings and can swerve the car off the road.
  • Some owners say disabling auto start/stop or switching to sport mode stops the hesitation.
  • Engine and transmission complaints describe the vehicle coasting powerless for several seconds despite pressing the accelerator.
2019 Audi Q8 complaints: complaints filed per quarter272019 Q12020 Q12021 Q32023 Q22024 Q22025 Q22026 Q2
170 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2019 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2023 Q1 (27).

2019 Audi Q8 recalls

5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V125000Mar 4, 2026Lane Departure1,620 vehicles

    Lane departure:software

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

  2. NHTSA 25V900000Dec 19, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras356,894 vehicles

    Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

    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.

    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.

  3. NHTSA 22V516000Jul 20, 2022Fuel System49,443 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    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.

    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.

See all 5 recalls for the 2019 Audi Q8 →

2019 Audi Q8 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17 MPG
Highway
22 MPG
Combined
19 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,200
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2019 compared with other Q8 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002019202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Avoid100109519
2020Caution5028318
2021Caution6730720

All Audi Q8 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Audi Q8 reliable?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2019 Audi Q8 has the highest Complaint Index (100) among the 7 model years with data, and ranks worst overall. It logged 109 complaints and 5 recalls.
What problems does the 2019 Audi Q8 have?
The top problem areas are Electrical System (41% of complaints, median mileage 9,800) and Transmission & Powertrain (39%, median mileage 3,005). Owners also reported Engine issues (32%) and Fuel System issues (11%).
Does the 2019 Audi Q8 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2019 Audi Q8, covering lane departure software, rearview camera display, fuel pump failure, a loosening steering shaft bolt, and cracked front shock absorber forks.
How does the 2019 Q8 compare to other years?
The 2019 Q8 has a Complaint Index of 100, the highest of any year with data. By comparison, 2023 has an index of 33 (Good) and 2020 has 50 (Caution).
What is the median mileage for failures on the 2019 Q8?
NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage at failure of 4,000 miles for the 2019 Audi Q8 overall.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.