2023 Audi Q8 problems
The Audi Q8 is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV coupé made by Audi that was launched in 2018. It is the flagship of the Audi SUV line, and is being produced at the Volkswagen Bratislava Plant.
Overview
BMW launched its coupe SUV in 2008, the BMW X6, and Mercedes-Benz followed suit in 2015 with the GLE-Class Coupe. Audi never made a direct competitor but had been planning to once the new body style became a sales success for other brands.
The Q8 is the first SUV model under Audi's new head of design, Marc Lichte, and introduced a new design language for the brand's SUVs. The grill is larger and now has an octagonal shape, with both vertical and horizontal slats. The Q8 features full-laser headlamps and taillamps. The interior features the knob-less MMI system, three touch screens, and an enlarged virtual cockpit which has a fully digital instrument cluster. Additionally, both haptic and acoustic feedback are provided in response to user inputs, although the design can still lead to distracted driving.
The Q8 is slightly shorter than the Q7 in terms of both length and height but is slightly wider. It also has less cargo space than the Q7 due to its sloped roofline, and unlike the Q7, the Q8 is not available with third-row seats. According to the Volkswagen Group's product strategy the Audi Q8 shares its platform with the Lamborghini Urus, among other products.
European models went on sale in July 2018 and arrived at dealers in August 2018. As of 2019, is sold with both a three-litre turbocharged petrol V6 engine outputting 340 brake horsepower (250 kW; 340 PS) and a pair of three-litre turbocharged diesel engines outputting 231 brake horsepower (172 kW; 234 PS) and 286 brake horsepower (213 kW; 290 PS) respectively.
The plug-in hybrid model, marketed as the Q8 TFSI e quattro is based on the Q8 3.0 TFSI (340 PS) model with a 17.9 kWh battery. Pre-sales began in Germany and other European markets in 2020. Early models included 55 TFSI e quattro, 60 TFSI e quattro.
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Common 2023 Audi Q8 problems
The Audi Q8, a luxury midsize SUV, has been praised for its sophisticated design, advanced technology, and superior performance.
- Engine Problems: The 2019 Audi Q8 had engine issues, including throttle lag when the auto start/stop feature was engaged, particularly when the vehicle came out of a rolling stop. There were also reports of engine misfires. Audi acknowledged this issue, which was supposedly fixed by the late 4th quarter of 2019.
- Transmission Problems: The 2019 Q8 had reported issues with the vehicle failing to accelerate when the gas pedal was applied when coming to or from a stop. This delay in response could put drivers at risk when trying to cross traffic, accelerate from a stop sign, or turn left during oncoming traffic. This issue appears to be intermittent but is becoming more prevalent.
- Power Train Complaints: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received 39 complaints about the powertrain of the 2019 Audi Q8. These issues can affect the overall performance and reliability of the vehicle.
- Electrical System Complaints: The NHTSA has also received 28 complaints about the electrical system of the 2019 Audi Q8. One owner claimed to face a scary situation when their car, after flashing multiple warnings, suddenly shut down on the highway. The system failure left them trapped inside as the doors wouldn’t open. These issues are mild but worth remembering when shopping for a used 2019 Q8.
- Electronics and Programming: Some owners have reported electronic gremlins that seem to come and go, including issues with pedal tip-in and the transmission running through the gears awkwardly and too quickly. The almost all-glass control setup is also frustrating, as it requires drivers to look away from the road to change controls.
- Interior Quality: The interior quality of the Audi Q8, particularly in the EV models, is not at the same level as the Petrol Q8. Plastic trim quality below the waistline leaves a lot to be desired in this price segment.
- Design Language: The design language of the Sportback model can be polarizing, and the raised floor in the Q8 e-tron results in a lack of under-thigh support, especially for taller passengers at the back.
- Noise and Creaking: Some owners have reported creaking or noises coming from various parts of the interior, which can be disappointing given the price and reputation of the manufacturer.
In conclusion, while the Audi Q8 is a luxurious and high-performing vehicle, it has had some common problems, particularly in the early production years. Potential buyers should be aware of these issues and consider them when making their purchasing decision.
Is Audi Q8 expensive to maintain?
Audi Q8 Maintenance
Maintenance and repair costs for an Audi Q8 will amount to $3,430 after 5 years. Expenses include scheduled maintenance, normal wear and tear items and expected repairs.
What kind of gas does a 2023 Audi Q8 take?
Can You Put Regular Gas in an Audi? For a model with a turbocharger, the recommended Audi gas type is premium fuel. However, you may sometimes run across Holmen gas stations that only have regular fuel instead of premium fuel.
What is the best engine for the Audi Q8?
The 3.0-litre V6 petrol model badged the 55 TFSI generates 335bhp and can get from 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds before reaching a top speed of 155mph. If you want even more power, then it's worth considering the petrol-powered SQ8 (new cars get a 500bhp V8 petrol) or the flagship RS Q8 and its 592bhp.
What engines are in Audi Q8 2023?
8 engines
| Name | Power | Cons. l/100km |
|---|---|---|
| SQ8 TFSI quattro | 507 hk | 12 l |
| RS Q8 | 600 hk | 12.1 l |
| Q8 60 TFSI e quattro | 462 hk | 2.7 l |
| Q8 55 TFSI quattro | 340 hk | 8.6 l |
Is Audi Q8 expensive to maintain?
Audi Q8 Maintenance
Maintenance and repair costs for an Audi Q8 will amount to $3,430 after 5 years. Expenses include scheduled maintenance, normal wear and tear items and expected repairs.
What engines are in Audi Q8 2023?
8 engines
| Name | Power | Cons. l/100km |
|---|---|---|
| SQ8 TFSI quattro | 507 hk | 12 l |
| RS Q8 | 600 hk | 12.1 l |
| Q8 60 TFSI e quattro | 462 hk | 2.7 l |
| Q8 55 TFSI quattro | 340 hk | 8.6 l |
What kind of gas does a 2023 Audi Q8 take?
Can You Put Regular Gas in an Audi? For a model with a turbocharger, the recommended Audi gas type is premium fuel. However, you may sometimes run across Holmen gas stations that only have regular fuel instead of premium fuel.
What is the best engine for the Audi Q8?
The 3.0-litre V6 petrol model badged the 55 TFSI generates 335bhp and can get from 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds before reaching a top speed of 155mph. If you want even more power, then it's worth considering the petrol-powered SQ8 (new cars get a 500bhp V8 petrol) or the flagship RS Q8 and its 592bhp.
2023 Audi Q8 complaints
The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2023 Audi Q8.
You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.
2023 Audi Q8 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2023 Audi Q8.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
- Summary: 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."
- Consequence: 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.
Negative 2023 Audi Q8 car reviews
Positive 2023 Audi Q8 car reviews
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I spent a month driving, researching, and comparing all three cars. Ultimately, it came down to the Audi or the Benz. While the X6 delivered a phenomenal drive, I just couldn't get over the direction BMW has taken with its interior design and styling, which doesn't ring true to a European aesthetic. Additionally, my previous X5 M did not age well, despite routine maintenance and regular detailing, so I wasn't willing to go back to BMW for this round. The Audi caught my eye from the very beginning - there's nothing else quite like it on the road, other than the similar Lambo. The AMG has a striking exterior design which also captured my attention, until I opened the door. The cockpit, with its one long horizontal screen and row of 4 air vents, just doesn't sit well with me or read as design or luxury to my eye. It was a huge disappointment, as it performed beautifully on the road - not too soft, but with a heavy, tight grip. The driving assistance and safety options were my favorite of the three, by a narrow margin. However, I just couldn't get over having to look at the interior with its two-dimensional horizontal and flat panel. All three brands delivered fantastic performance that was more than enough to keep me happy. I ultimately chose a well-equipped Q8 Premium Plus S Line, and I love the car more now than when I purchased it several months ago. Styling and design lead the others, and I notice a lot of stares - it's not as common on the road as the BMW or the AMG. The car continues to amaze me, and I still learn a new tech feature on the car occasionally. I mostly agree with the Edmunds review, especially on the lack of storage and initial acceleration. Sport improves this, but it falls short of the BMW and AMG in this department. As I'm mostly a highway driver, the Audi is a blast to drive. I don't feel the review mentions the capabilities it deserves on its technology.The Audi is truly impressive in the technology arena. The Audi pre-sense feature prevented a potentially dangerous accident, and I was amazed by how well it performed. I still get chills thinking about my Q8 dodging the incident and stopping on a dime while the cars in front of me collided. This is my first Audi, and I can't wait to own another one in the future!
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The Q8 drives like a car with plenty of grip and a very comfortable ride. The interior is very quiet and the car rides so well even with 5 adults. It looks awesome! Audi did a great job with the design of this SUV. The power and torque could have been better but still the Q8 can go. I'm really pleased so far.
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I really like the coupe-like SUV styling of the Q8, especially since I've driven an Infiniti FX50 for many years. What sets the Q8 apart from the Infiniti is the exceptional interior quality and technology. The interior is very quiet and features upscale materials and excellent fit and finish. The tech works well, and although I miss the buttons of older cars, the Audi system is very user-friendly with its layout, screen interaction, and haptic response. I also appreciate that Audi designers took the time to integrate the screens into the dash, making it look like a well-thought-out design. Another area where the Q8 excels is space. The second row is very roomy, making it very comfortable for passengers. Although the angle of the hatch impedes some measure of cargo space, it works well enough for me as I rarely stack cargo up to the ceiling. The depth from the hatch to rear seats lets me fit all my kids' gear and still have room for errand shopping. The Q8 has very good power, especially once in motion. I have no worries when taking an on-ramp at speed or passing on highways. Although there is some initial sluggishness from a standstill in normal drive mode, setting it in Sport (simply another tap on the gear selector) adds the expected response from this engine/transmission. It handles very well, and even though I may have opted for the rear-wheel steering option to improve handling, I'm still very happy with my purchase. The Q8 is a 5k pound vehicle, and in hindsight, I spent my money on the Year One, Prestige, and Luxury options, which make it feel upscale, drive great, and check all the boxes for practicality. After a month of ownership, I'm very pleased with my purchase.
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This SUV has both luxury and sport features. The stance is really cool and it's so quiet, which is a true testament to its quality. In my opinion, no other interior can compare to the German quality. All I can say so far is that I'm glad I did my homework and finally made a great choice. Q8, you're doing a great job. Keep it up! I can't wait to see the S sport soon.
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After months of research, I decided to purchase the Q8 with Premium Trim. I must say, the Q8 has exceeded my expectations as a sporty and luxurious SUV. As a tall man (6’6”), I feel right at home in the Q8 and driving it is a lot of fun! The SUV has all kinds of power and smoothness. The technology in the vehicle is a lot, but it becomes fairly intuitive after a few days. One thing to note is that the Q8 is bigger than you think - closer to the Q7 than the Q5. If you want a true midsized SUV, I’d recommend looking at the Q5. If I still had kids going to soccer, lacrosse, etc., I would have bought the Q7. The rear cargo area has enough room for my golf clubs and work materials, and the back seat has more room than any other vehicle I considered. I looked closely at and considered the BMW X5, Acura MDX, and the Mercedes GLE. Personally, I don’t care for the looks of the Lexus or Infiniti SUVs. The Range Rovers look great, but I was scared away by the reliability reports on Edmunds, and I don’t really see myself as a Jag or Porsche owner.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2023 Audi Q8 problems:
Audi Q8's biggest problem : r/Audi
May 6, 2023 ... So about 4-5 months ago, we got a new vehicle, and we decided on a 2021 Audi Q8 Prestige. Now, it is a good car, it's comfortable and the ...
Overall Reliability of Q8 - AudiWorld Forums
Aug 9, 2023 ... Audi Q8 - Overall Reliability of Q8 - After ... ThomasWShea , 08-09-2023 02:19 PM. AudiWorld ... Lastly, Audi is way to slow to acknowledge problems ...
Q8 Electrical System Malfunction - Thoughts? : r/Audi
Mar 1, 2023 ... Seems like a common issue on multiple models with the hybrid system. ... 2019 Audi Q8 same problem. Audi has been ... Brand new 2023 GC L ...
Audi Q8 E-tron Nightmare - Beware!!!! | Audi e-tron Forum
Complaints, Issues, Problems, Defect TSB, Recalls · e-tron Complaints, Issues And Problems ... Audi Q8 E-tron Nightmare - Beware!!!! Jump to Latest Follow ... #1 · May 3, 2023 (Edited). I took delivery of my Q8 E-tron ...
Other years of Audi Q8
Are you having problems with your 2023 Audi Q8?
Aron Ortiz 2025-06-07
We love the design and technology of this car, but unfortunately we have been experiencing some issues with the front proximity sensors. Despite our concerns, we have not received the support we were hoping for from Audi. We were advised to disconnect the sensors, which we feel is not a viable solution as they are an important safety feature. We have taken the car back to Audi Chandler four times, but have only received excuses and no resolution. We were informed that Audi engineers are working on the issue, but we have yet to see any progress. The sensors continue to malfunction, flashing red lights and warning buzzers when there is nothing in front of the car, and remaining silent when they are needed. We reached out to Audi corporate to escalate the issue and find a solution, but unfortunately they were unable to assist us. As a result, we are disappointed with our experience with this $80k car. In contrast, the Hyundai we purchased for our children has been more reliable. Thank you, Audi.
Justen Prosacco 2025-03-23
At 85,000km, my 2019 Q8 experienced a range of issues including problems with the alternator, start stop, starter, fuel pump, and electrical sensors. Although the cruise control is still faulty, I am fortunate that my lease is not due until June 2023.
Silas Kovacek 2025-03-17
The SUV is beautiful inside and out. Once you get rolling, the drive is wonderful! It could benefit from a little more power and torque, perhaps an additional 30 hp. However, there are a few issues that could be improved. The turbo response time could be quicker, and the oil-overfilled warning light has a faulty system design, which Audi has acknowledged in a TSB. Additionally, the auto stop & start feature cuts off a bit too quickly while still rolling, causing a rough start-up and exacerbating the turbo lag. Overall, though, it's a great car with some minor areas for improvement.
Imani Okuneva 2024-08-02
Hey there! Just a quick reminder to take your time. Remember, things aren't always as difficult as they may seem at first glance.
Kennith Thompson 2024-03-20
Hey there! This computer is quite big, isn't it? It seems to have a mind of its own and never does the same thing twice. Personally, I just want to drive without having to worry about programming it.