2019 Audi Q8 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2019 Audi Q8 most often describe a hesitation when accelerating from a rolling or near stop, with the auto start/stop system engaged, followed by a surge once power arrives. Many also report sudden full electrical shutdowns while driving, which dealers have traced to the starter-generator/alternator, and door locks that will not release. Reports of the shutdowns often come at low mileage, while fuel-system and coolant-pump reports tend to appear later.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Delayed acceleration and surge after auto start/stop

   • 33 complaints (30%)
   • median 2,000 mi at 1.2 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • filed 2019–2023

   Owners describe pressing the accelerator from a rolling stop or after the engine restarts at a light and getting no response for two to four seconds, then a sudden lunge forward when power finally arrives. Complaints say disabling auto start/stop or selecting sport mode reduces the symptom. Several owners report the dealer described the behavior as normal, while others say a software update was applied. Most sample reports are under 20,000 miles, and many appear within the first few thousand miles, often turning across traffic or at intersections.

   What to check: Test drive at low speed with auto start/stop on: slow to a rolling stop, then accelerate and note any delay or surge. Ask whether any powertrain or start/stop software update has been applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Our a8 has issues with lag time when accelerating from a stop or a slow speed of less then 10 MPH. The vehicle seems to stop running prior to a full stop and if the accelerator is depressed nothing happens for about 5 seconds. This is extremely dangerous and leaves us at risk of being injured or killed. This issue started just a few months after purchase and has gotten continually worse. We have also encountered this issue even after a full stop and then trying to accelerate from a full stop. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11365744, filed 2020-10, 4,000 miles

   “There can be a profound lag in acceleration at critical times. I can come to an intersection and slow. When the gap is safe to turn with traffic or across traffic the car will not pick up and go. It will lag and not accelerate. I will coast into the intersection and I feel as if I could be broadsided. The lag is about 3-4 seconds. Nothing....just a dead roll. It will pick up and accelerate at 3-4 seconds. I feel that the gap I waited for was typically safe for other vehicles I have driven. It is not turbo lag....I own plenty of diesels. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11251883, filed 2019-08, 2,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Electrical system shutdown while driving

   • 26 complaints (24%)
   • typically at 4.4 yrs old
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners describe multiple dashboard warnings at once (electrical system malfunction, start/stop malfunction, brake or steering warnings), followed within seconds or minutes by a total loss of power. Complaints say the vehicle had to be towed, and that dealers diagnosed a failed starter-generator or alternator, sometimes with long parts waits. Some owners also say the doors would not unlock afterwards. Reports are spread across the sample, many with no mileage stated; when given, some are around 50,000 miles or less.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the starter-generator/alternator has been replaced and request service records for any electrical malfunction warnings. Have a pre-purchase inspection check charging-system faults stored in the modules.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle lost all power and control while driving 45mph. First electrical system failure warning came on. Within 2 minutes the transmission slipped into neutral and 15 seconds later the vehicle lost power and I coasted to a stop. I was told by Audi dealership service that the starter generator failed. They mentioned they currently have over 20 vehicles in their shop and over 25 at their other location with the same problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11498809, filed 2022-12

   “The alternator failed causing the vehicle to shutdown in the middle of traffic. I was on a surface road not the highway so I was able to get local police to assist. When it failed there was no car electrical system function, so I could not even turn on my emergency blinkers. This is apparently very common on Audis, as the same part was used to replace the alternator…. It took a month for the dealership to get the part in stock.”

   NHTSA complaint #11582506, filed 2024-04
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Door locks will not open

   • 10 complaints (9%)
   • median 12,900 mi at 2.4 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners report a central locking malfunction where the fob, door lock button and at times the interior handles stop working, so occupants cannot get out. Complaints describe the warning appearing first, then the doors failing to open, sometimes on several doors. One owner says the dealer diagnosed it against a service bulletin code and repaired it under warranty, then the problem returned. Reports in the sample cluster at low to moderate mileage, from a few thousand to around 16,000 miles.

   What to check: With the car running and locked, try each interior handle and the lock button, and check for any stored central-locking fault codes. Ask whether the lock actuators or handles have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Car started flashing all kinds of warnings, then cut off and had to coast to the side of the highway. Then could not get out of the car and the entire system was in complete failure so the doors would not open. Absolutely terrifying experience. Audi knows this is a bad issue and it keeps happening to thousands of Audi owners with the mild hybrid system.”

   NHTSA complaint #11528756, filed 2023-06

   “While driving warning light came on electrical malfunction on highway cat lost all power following a series of light’s indicting multiple malfunction then transmission disengaged I was able to coast to a stop , was unable to get out of vehicle due to car not unlocking”

   NHTSA complaint #11556584, filed 2023-11
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Fuel pump failure and fuel smell

   • 6 complaints (5%)
   • median 36,700 mi at 4.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2022–2025

   Owners describe stalling or a no-start after stopping, with the vehicle restarting repeatedly and then failing again, sometimes while a fuel pump recall part was unavailable. Another owner reports a strong fuel smell traced to a spray at the fuel rail, and one reports an ongoing noise from the fuel pump area. Reports in the sample appear from roughly 20,000 to 37,000 miles, often after the vehicle has been in use for a few years.

   Recall 22V5160003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Confirm whether recall 22V516 (fuel pump) was completed and ask for the repair paperwork. Check for a fuel smell around the engine bay and listen for a whine from the fuel tank area.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving yesterday on a highway and the car completely shut down. Got stranded in the left lane with 4 kids in the car - could have been killed. I had previously brought the car into the dealer for a fuel pump related issue. Apparently there is a recall but they don't even have the part to fix it.”

   NHTSA complaint #11490574, filed 2022-10

   “I was smelling fuel from my car so stopped to have it checked and was told there is a significant spray of fuel coming from the fuel rail and hitting the electrical wires. I was told that it could go on fire at anytime and the car cannot be driven. Audi has a recall for this exact issue for 2016-2018. This is clearly the same issue but they are not issuing a recall for 2019 models and it’s extremely dangerous.”

   NHTSA complaint #11616547, filed 2024-09

Buying note. A 2019 Q8 is worth considering only with a full service history: verify the open recalls (25V900, 26V125, 22V516) are closed, ask whether the starter-generator has been replaced, and test the low-speed acceleration behavior yourself. A pre-purchase inspection that reads stored fault codes is worthwhile given how many complaints involve electronics.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.