The Audi Q8 Years To Avoid
Audi Q8 by Vauxford - CC-BY-SA-4.0
When it comes to luxurious but still fairly accessible cars, it’s hard to go wrong with an Audi. Audi is a renowned German automobile manufacturer that is part of the Volkswagen Group. It’s one of the leading luxury car brands globally, known for its high-quality vehicles that bring a great balance of sophisticated design, advanced technology, and superior performance.
Audi’s lineup is diverse, ranging from compact cars and sedans to SUVs and sports cars. The brand is particularly known for its Quattro all-wheel-drive system, which has become synonymous with Audi and is a key selling point. Audi’s vehicles are often recognized for sleek, modern design, high-quality interiors, and fun driving dynamics.
With that said, the Audi Q8 is one of the recent models from the brand – a range-topping luxury midsize SUV that marries the sophistication of a four-door luxury coupe with the versatility of an SUV. The Q8 is designed to offer a more sporty and stylish alternative to the more traditional and family-oriented Q7.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE AUDI Q8
The truth is the Audi Q8 is a relatively new vehicle with a high price tag, so there aren’t a lot of examples on the road. This situation makes it harder to identify the most reliable Audi Q8 years.
But is it a reliable model?
If you’re buying a used Audi Q8, you must know which years to avoid due to reliability issues. So today, we rounded up the worst Audi Q8 years to avoid and provide reasons why you should double-take as a used car buyer.
Which Audi Q8 Years To Avoid?
First, let’s look at Audi’s overall reliability as a brand. RepairPal gives Audi a reliability rating of 3.0 out of 5.0, ranking it 28th out of 32 car brands. The average annual repair cost for an Audi is $987. Audi vehicles typically require 0.8 repair shop visits per year, with a 13% chance of a repair being severe.
On average, an Audi visits a repair shop 0.8 times a year for unscheduled repairs, twice as often as the average for all models. Also, 13% of Audi repairs are considered severe, slightly above the 12% average for all models. Now that’s out of the way, below are the Audi Q8 years to avoid when buying used:
- 2019 Audi Q8
- 2020 Audi Q8
- 2021 Audi Q8
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2019 Audi Q8
First production years tend to be more problematic, so we often advise people to avoid them – especially when buying used. The debut model is often seen as a “beta test” on a large scale. Manufacturers may not have fully resolved all potential issues or glitches that can arise once the vehicle is in regular use by consumers. Unfortunately, that’s true for the 2019 Audi Q8.
According to CarComplaints.com, the 2019 Q8 has received 113 complaints and three recalls. Below are some of the issues you may encounter with the 2019 Audi Q8:
- Engine Problems: An obvious throttle lag was reported when the auto start/stop feature was engaged, particularly when the vehicle came out of a rolling stop. There have also been reports of engine misfires. Audi has acknowledged this issue, which was supposedly fixed by the late 4th quarter of 2019.
- Transmission Problems: The vehicle reportedly failed 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. According to some owners, 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.
- 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.
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2020 Audi Q8
On the other hand, the 2020 Audi Q8 is much more reliable than the debut model year. It has fewer complaints and recalls, but some issues worth pointing out for used car buyers.
- Engine Problems: The start-stop system or transmission may be slow, causing hesitation during acceleration, particularly after slowing down or making left turns.
- Equipment Issues: Several owners have reported that when towing a trailer over 300 lbs, the Audi Limited Pre-Sense Warning feature is triggered, causing the distance warning or adaptive cruise control to be disabled, even after removing the trailer.
- Transmission Problems: A recall (NHTSA Number 20V272000) was issued due to a potential leak from an insufficiently welded transmission oil pipe, which could make roads slippery and increase crash risk.
- Other Complaints: The NHTSA has received various complaints about the 2020 Audi Q8, including fuel system, engine, collision avoidance warnings, steering, and electrical system issues.
As you can see, the issues of the 2020 Audi Q8 aren’t as bad as the 2019 model. In fact, it’s a fairly solid option when buying used; make sure to do a proper inspection and review the vehicle’s history.
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2021 Audi Q8
Like the previous year, the 2021 Audi Q8 is far from the least reliable luxury SUV in the market. In fact, it’s a fairly reliable iteration of the Q8 and is a solid option for used car buyers. However, when you’re buying a high-end SUV, you’ll want to know about its potential issues:
- Back Over Prevention Problems: The parking assist system malfunctions when the Q8 is in reverse. Instead of providing visibility and warnings, the screen goes white and starts blinking, reducing the driver’s rear visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Electrical System Problems: There have been reports of the vehicle shutting off while in use due to an electrical problem. This issue was reported by an owner who experienced the car shutting off while traveling at 70 mph.
- Seat Belt Malfunction: There is a complaint that the seat belts malfunctioned, causing injury to a driver. The driver experienced chest pain and shortness of breath when the front driver’s seat belt shoulder harness tightened unexpectedly.
These issues aren’t severe or prevalent, but used car buyers may want to keep these in mind.
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