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Audi · Midsize / large SUV

2020 Audi Q8

Hybrid
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
1 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
B
Safety Signal
81 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns3
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA28
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA18 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019

The 2020 Audi Q8 is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid midsize or large SUV. The most efficient version, the Q8, is EPA-rated at 18 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 28 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Q8HybridAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo + 48V Li-Ion172118$4,300

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 42311.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2020 Audi Q8 is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (3)

Source: NHTSA recall database
○minor

Back Over Prevention

90TV
356,894 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen 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."RiskA rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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 campaign 25V900000reported Dec 19, 2025Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

20DR
49,443 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen 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.RiskFuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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 campaign 22V516000reported Jul 20, 2022Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
▲high

Power Train

38C7
531 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen 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).RiskIf transmission fluid leaks while driving, the road surface may become slippery, increasing the risk of a crash.FixVolkswagen 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.
NHTSA campaign 20V272000reported May 13, 2020Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
28complaints filed

2 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2020: 1 · 2021: 3 · 2022: 5 · 2023: 5 · 2024: 3 · 2025: 6 · 2026: 5

Most-cited components

Engine8
Forward Collision Avoidance6
Electrical System6
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Fuel System, Gasoline3
Unspecified3

What owners describe

“Catastrophic engine failure on Audi Q8 3.0L turbo. Per service manager it a know issue and Audi just sent out a letter extending engine warranty to 80,000 miles. Per Audiworld forum Audi is replacing some engines and charging some owners $27,000 Audi needs to be investigated and held accountable for people that have fa…”Sep 24, 2025 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“I am reporting a safety defect issue that I believe is an alternator recall waiting to happen. While driving with my children, my Audi suffered a sudden, complete electrical failure caused by what I was later told is an alternator defect. The vehicle shut off without warning. At that moment, I lost braking power, the a…”Sep 11, 2025 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“The vehicle is a 2020 model with less than 55k miles and experienced coolant leaks. Specifically, the water pump was faulty and leaked causing coolant liquid to leak in additional lines and gaskets. The repairs resulted into costs upwards of $5k. When I first brought into dealer, the service rep mentioned that the fluc…”May 20, 2025 · Engine · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆16%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning.

Other Q8 model years

A

2027 Audi Q8

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2026 Audi Q8

1 recalls · 0 complaints

B

2025 Audi Q8

2 recalls · 3 complaints

B

2024 Audi Q8

3 recalls · 22 complaints

B

2023 Audi Q8

2 recalls · 7 complaints

B

2022 Audi Q8

3 recalls · 2 complaints

F

2021 Audi Q8

7 recalls · 30 complaints

C

2019 Audi Q8

5 recalls · 108 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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