2023 Audi Q8

Routine

Owners filed 7 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the unknown or other. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Unknown or Other4
000
Service Brakes2
000
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking1
101

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera25V900000
Filed Dec 19, 2025356,894 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Air Bags › Side/Window23V868000
Filed Dec 20, 20231,001 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2023-2024 SQ8, RSQ8, Q8, Q7, and 2024 SQ7 vehicles. The driver's seat side air bag may have been improperly mounted to the seatback frame. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 214, "Side Impact Protection."

Risk. An improperly mounted air bag may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will inspect and reinstall the air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69GA.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed May 12, 2026CA

My vehicle currently has 55k and water pump failed. Costing me a fortune

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 27, 2026IA

1. The front brake on my 2023 Audi Q8 produce an ear-piercing noise when backing up after the car has set for a period of time. 2. The dealer and manufacture state this is not a safety concern, but rather just an annoying noise I have to put up with. 3/4. This ear-piercing noise has been inspected and confirmed by the dealer, and I have provided several video recordings of the noise to the dealer. 5. There are no warning lamps or messages associated with this noise. The noise started about a year after I purchased the vehicle and that's when I contacted the dealer. I was informed that this is a known problem on many Audi Q7s and Q8s and there is nothing the dealer or manufacture can or will do to resolve the issue.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 24, 2026LA

Sunroof imploded while we were driving on I-10. It sounded like a loud gunshot. The panel of the sunroof that elevates shattered.

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 11, 2025NV

On a day with an ambient temperature of 115°F in Las Vegas, Nevada, a critical and dangerous malfunction occurred with my 2023 Audi Q8. With the vehicle's keys in my purse, I placed the purse on the front passenger seat. As I was securing my [XXX] in the rear passenger seat, I closed the rear door. Shockingly, the front passenger door simultaneously closed and locked, trapping my child and the keys inside the vehicle. The child was immediately at risk of heatstroke due to the extreme temperature. I have since contacted Audi regarding this serious safety defect. Their representative stated that “keys are not meant to be left in the car” and offered to consider a lease termination after a 60-day review. This is an unacceptable response. The vehicle's design should prevent it from locking with the keys inside, particularly with an occupant present. Although the dealership has since "repaired" the locks, when asked, they could not provide any guarantee that this dangerous situation would not reoccur. This lack of assurance means I am currently forced to operate a vehicle with a known and potentially recurring safety flaw. Audi's inaction and the dealership's inability to guarantee a permanent fix mean this vehicle continues to pose an ongoing risk to my family and others. This incident is a clear and severe safety defect that warrants immediate investigation by the NHTSA to prevent similar occurrences and protect other families from this hazardous situation. INFORMATION REDACTED

Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency BrakingCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 27, 2025MA

My 2023 Audi Q8 Pre Sense collision braking system has engaged erroneously on numerous occasions under completely normal driving conditions. It’s terrifying and potentially life-threatening liability. My vehicle would consistently flash warning signals on my dash and my screen went completely black. Most recently, while driving at approximately 35 mph, the Pre Sense system activated without warning or cause. The impact was so violent I believed I had been rear-ended. No vehicle was behind me. I’m convinced this vehicle will cause a catastrophic accident. Having done research there are multiple consumers posting their Audi coming to a complete stop on the highway while driving at high speeds. Audi had a class action suit for this very reason and I was never notified. I requested a buyback through Audi Corporate. Unfortunately, I received a denial letter. I dropped my vehicle off to my local Audi dealer on several occasions and was told that unless the problem duplicates itself they cannot repair the issue.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 14, 2024TX

There is a pulsating/fluttering noise coming from the rear passenger side near side of the vehicle. Got the vehicle in July of 2023 and reported the issue in August. Dealership confirmed and performed TSB 2067759/2 (Installed 10 rubber insulator sleeves). This did not fix the problem. I noticed it is loudest when the fuel tank is low. It can be heard at idle but tends to get louder while moving slow at slow speeds (forward or reverse). The tank was full when I brought it in for the August service. Went back in October when I realized it is significantly louder when the fuel is low. Dealership replaced the activated charcoal filter pipe and the fuel tank. This did not eliminate the problem.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 16, 2023KS

This is a loaner Audi Q8 from Molly Audi of Kansas City. My 2023 Audi Q7 is in the shop for this exact same issue. The brake pedal randomly does not respond. This prevents the vehicle from being able to start, shift out of gear when parked, and the rear brake lights do not respond. My main concern is the brake lights not responding. I do not want to be injured in a collision when slowing down on the road. There were no warning lamps or massages from the vehicle. The dash just kept telling me to "Please press the brake pedal to start the vehicle". (my foot was on the brake) I have a video of this occurrence if needed.

7 of 7 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2019
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20260100Routine
20253200Routine
202423310Routine
2023 — this page7200Routine
20222300Routine
202130700Routine
202028300Routine
2019108500Routine

Compare every Q8 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 19, 2025. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.