2020 Audi Q8 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
50/100
#4 most-complained of 7 Q8 years
The 2020 Audi Q8 has a Complaint Index of 50 and a Caution verdict, ranking 4th worst out of 7 model years. NHTSA lists 28 complaints, 3 recalls, and 2 crashes, with Engine complaints the top problem area at 32% share.
- Complaints
- 28
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 17 city / 21 hwy
Top 2020 Audi Q8 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine9 (32%)
- Electrical System6 (21%)
- Fuel System6 (21%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (18%)
- Other3 (11%)
- Steering2 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (7%)
- Brakes1 (4%)
- Lane Departure1 (4%)
- Structure & Body1 (4%)
What owners report
- Steering wheel reportedly turned suddenly to the right at low speed, causing a loss of control and a crash into a curb.
- Start-stop system or transmission described as sluggish, causing hesitation when slowing down or trying to accelerate from a turn.
- Adaptive cruise control and pre-sense warnings reportedly stopped working after towing a trailer, requiring radar recalibration.
- Driver assistance system described as braking or accelerating unexpectedly, nearly causing rear-end collisions or crashes with merging vehicles.
- Door locking system reportedly malfunctioned, leaving doors unlocked or able to be opened while the ignition was on.
- Fuel system recall repairs described as delayed for extended periods due to unavailable parts, with one owner reporting the engine died while driving.
2020 Audi Q8 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- NHTSA 20V272000May 13, 2020Transmission & Powertrain531 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines
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).
Risk: 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.
2020 Audi Q8 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 21 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,450
- 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.
2020 compared with other Q8 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Audi Q8 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2020 Q8 a Complaint Index of 50, ranking 4th worst among 7 model years, with a Caution verdict. It has fewer complaints than the 2019 model but more recalls (3) than several later years.
- What problems does the 2020 Audi Q8 have?
- Engine complaints make up 32% of reports, followed by Electrical System and Fuel System issues at 21% each. Owners also reported issues with collision avoidance cameras and steering.
- Does the 2020 Audi Q8 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2020 Q8: a rearview camera software error, a fuel pump component that may break, and an insufficient weld on a transmission oil pipe that can leak fluid.
- How does the 2020 Q8 compare to other Q8 years?
- The 2020 Q8's Complaint Index of 50 is better than 2019 (100, Avoid) and 2021 (67, Caution) but worse than 2023 (33, Good) and 2022 (0).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Audi Q8?
- The 2020 Audi Q8 gets an EPA-rated 18 mpg combined (17 city/21 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450.